Free Vehicle Bailment Contract in Verea: Downloadable Template & Legal Guide (Word/PDF)

If you are planning to lend your car, van, or motorcycle to a family member, friend, or employee in Verea without charging any rent, you need a formal legal document. In Spain, this arrangement is known as a Contrato de Comodato de Vehículo (Free Vehicle Bailment Contract or gratuitous loan). Using this template ensures that you remain legally protected against traffic fines, tolls, and civil liability while someone else is behind the wheel.

Instructions on how and where to submit it in Verea

A vehicle bailment contract is a private agreement between two parties and does not strictly need to be registered at the DGT (Dirección General de Tráfico) for it to be valid between you and the borrower. However, to protect yourself against unfair fines or to notify municipal authorities in Verea, it is highly recommended to follow these steps:

• Sign in Duplicate: Both the lender (comodatario) and the borrower (comodante) must sign two copies of the contract so each party retains an original.
• Notarization (Optional): For maximum legal security, especially if lending to an employee or acquaintances, sign the document before a Notary Public in the province of Ourense or have the signatures digitally verified.
• DGT Notification (Conductor Habitual): If the vehicle will be used regularly by the borrower for a prolonged period, you can register them as the "Habitual Driver" at the local DGT office or online via the DGT electronic headquarters. This ensures that speeding tickets and traffic violations in Verea go directly to the actual driver rather than the vehicle owner.
• Local Ayuntamiento: Keep a copy in the glove compartment alongside the vehicle registration (permiso de circulación) and technical inspection card (ITV) in case local police in Verea request proof of authorized usage.

CONTRATO DE COMODATO DE VEHÍCULO (PRÉSTAMO GRATUITO) / FREE VEHICLE BAILMENT CONTRACT

En Verea (Ourense), a [Día] de [Mes] de [Año].

REUNIDOS / PARTIES

De una parte, D./Dña. [Nombre y Apellidos del Propietario], con DNI [Número de DNI], y domicilio en [Dirección completa], en calidad de propietario/a (en adelante, el COMODANTE).
From one part, Mr./Ms. [Owner's Name], with ID [ID Number], and address at [Full Address], hereinafter referred to as the LENDER.

De otra parte, D./Dña. [Nombre y Apellidos del Prestatario], con DNI [Número de DNI], y domicilio en [Dirección completa] (en adelante, el COMODATARIO).
From the other part, Mr./Ms. [Borrower's Name], with ID [ID Number], and address at [Full Address], hereinafter referred to as the BORROWER.

Ambas partes se reconocen mutua capacidad legal para otorgar el presente contrato y, a tal fin,
Both parties mutually recognize their legal capacity to enter into this contract and, to that end,

EXPONEN / DECLARE

PRIMERO.- Que el COMODANTE es el actual propietario del vehículo cuyas características se detallan a continuación:
FIRST.- That the LENDER is the current owner of the vehicle detailed below:
- Marca / Make: [Marca]
- Modelo / Model: [Modelo]
- Matrícula / License Plate: [Matrícula]
- Bastidor / VIN: [Número de Bastidor]

SEGUNDO.- Que el COMODANTE cede el uso gratuito del mencionado vehículo al COMODATARIO, quien lo acepta en las condiciones de este documento.
SECOND.- That the LENDER transfers the free use of the aforementioned vehicle to the BORROWER, who accepts it under the conditions of this document.

CLÁUSULAS / CLAUSES

PRIMERA. Carácter gratuito: El presente contrato es de carácter estrictamente gratuito (comodato). El COMODATARIO no está obligado a abonar cantidad económica alguna en concepto de alquiler o renta por el uso del vehículo.
FIRST. Gratuitous nature: This contract is strictly gratuitous. The BORROWER is not obliged to pay any financial amount as rent for the use of the vehicle.

SEGUNDA. Duración: El préstamo del vehículo tendrá una duración desde el día [Fecha de inicio] hasta el día [Fecha de fin], o en su defecto, hasta que el COMODANTE reclame su devolución de forma fehaciente.
SECOND. Duration: The loan shall last from [Start Date] to [End Date], or alternatively, until the LENDER officially requests its return.

TERCERA. Uso del vehículo y gastos: El COMODATARIO se compromete a utilizar el vehículo con la debida diligencia, respetando las normas de circulación. Serán por cuenta exclusiva del COMODATARIO los gastos de combustible, peajes, multas, sanciones de tráfico cometidas durante el periodo de préstamo, así como el mantenimiento ordinario derivado de su uso.
THIRD. Use of vehicle and expenses: The BORROWER undertakes to use the vehicle with due diligence, complying with traffic regulations. The BORROWER shall be exclusively responsible for fuel costs, tolls, fines, traffic sanctions incurred during the loan period, as well as ordinary maintenance derived from its use.

CUARTA. Seguros y responsabilidad: El vehículo cuenta con un seguro obligatorio en vigor contratado por el COMODANTE. El COMODATARIO declara conocer las coberturas y se hace civil y penalmente responsable de cualquier daño material o personal causado a terceros a partir de este momento.
FOURTH. Insurance and liability: The vehicle has mandatory insurance in force contracted by the LENDER. The BORROWER acknowledges the coverage and assumes civil and criminal liability for any material or personal damage caused to third parties from this moment on.

Y en prueba de conformidad, ambas partes firman el presente documento por duplicado en el lugar y fecha indicados en el encabezamiento.
And as proof of conformity, both parties sign this document in duplicate at the place and date indicated above.

Fdo. El Comodante / The Lender          Fdo. El Comodatario / The Borrower
[Firma / Signature]                          [Firma / Signature]

Additional documentation required

When executing and relying on a vehicle bailment contract in Spain, ensure you have the following paperwork assembled and securely stored:

• Valid ID (DNI or NIE): Copies of identification documents for both the vehicle owner and the borrower.
• Vehicle Documentation: The original Permiso de Circulación (Registration Certificate) and Ficha Técnica (ITV Technical Card).
• Proof of Insurance: The insurance policy receipt showing that the compulsory third-party liability insurance is fully paid and active, keeping in mind whether the policy restricts drivers by age or driving experience.

As an expert tip, always keep this signed contract inside the vehicle along with the insurance details. If the borrower commits a speeding infraction or incurs a parking fine within the municipality of Verea, having this contract readily available will help prove to the traffic authorities who was actually driving at the exact time of the offense, saving vehicle owners from unnecessary administrative headaches.