Temporary withdrawal of vehicles: Process, advantages, and considerations

The temporary deregistration of vehicles is an increasingly used option by owners who do not plan to use their vehicle for an extended period. This administrative procedure offers significant advantages but also entails certain responsibilities and important considerations. In this guide, we will explore in detail the process, the advantages, and the key aspects to consider when temporarily deregistering a vehicle in Spain.

Article Content

1. What is the temporary deregistration of vehicles?

2. Advantages of temporarily deregistering a vehicle

3. Process to request temporary deregistration

4. Important considerations

5. Reactivation of the vehicle

6. Special cases and exceptions

7. Impact on vehicle management software

8. Alternatives to temporary deregistration

1. What is the temporary deregistration of vehicles?

The temporary deregistration of vehicles is an administrative procedure that allows owners to suspend the use of their vehicle temporarily without losing ownership. This procedure involves notifying the Directorate-General for Traffic (DGT) that the vehicle will not be used for a specified period.

During the time that the vehicle is temporarily deregistered, it cannot circulate on public roads, and the owner is exempt from certain financial and legal obligations associated with holding the vehicle. This option is ideal for those who plan not to use their vehicle for an extended time but want to keep it for future use.

It is important to highlight that temporary deregistration can be applied to various types of vehicles, including cars, motorcycles, trucks, and buses. One of the most significant advantages of this procedure is its reversibility, allowing the owner to reactivate the vehicle when they need it again.

Some examples of situations where temporary deregistration may be useful include:

• Long trips abroad

• Periods of inactivity at work

• Temporary stays in other cities or countries

• Extensive vehicle repairs

• Long-term storage of collectible vehicles

2. Advantages of temporarily deregistering a vehicle

Temporarily deregistering a vehicle offers numerous significant advantages for owners. The main advantage, and perhaps the most attractive, is the economic savings. During the deregistration period, the owner is exempt from paying the annual road tax, which can represent considerable savings, especially for high-end or large-displacement vehicles.

In addition to the exemption from road tax, during the temporary deregistration it is not necessary to maintain civil liability insurance (as long as the vehicle is not on public roads). This means another important saving, as vehicle insurance can represent a significant annual expense. Furthermore, it is not mandatory to carry out the Technical Vehicle Inspection (ITV) while the vehicle is temporarily deregistered, which avoids both the cost of the inspection and possible repair expenses to pass this inspection.

Another crucial advantage is the flexibility that this procedure offers. Owners can reactivate the vehicle at any time when they need it, making it an ideal option for temporary situations. This flexibility is particularly useful for people who travel frequently or who have vehicles for seasonal use.

Additional advantages include:

• Preservation of the vehicle without ongoing expenses

• Prevention of fines for lack of insurance or expired ITV

• Possibility of keeping the vehicle on private property without legal concerns

• Reduction of wear on the vehicle when not in use

• Maintaining ownership without the burden of regular expenses

It is important to note that these advantages make temporary deregistration an attractive option not only for individual owners but also for companies with vehicle fleets that may have periods of inactivity.

3. Process to request temporary deregistration

The process to request the temporary deregistration of a vehicle involves several steps that must be followed carefully to ensure that the procedure is completed correctly. It is essential to understand each stage of the process to avoid complications and ensure that the temporary deregistration is carried out adequately.

The first step is to gather all the required documentation. Generally, this includes:

• The vehicle's circulation permit

• The technical inspection card (ITV)

• The ID or NIE of the vehicle holder

• In case of representation, a power of attorney or authorization signed by the holder

Once the documentation is collected, there are two main ways to request temporary deregistration:

1. In person at a DGT office:

   • Request an appointment through the DGT website or by calling 060

   • Go to the office with the complete documentation

   • Submit the application and pay the corresponding fee (currently 8.50 euros)

2. Online through the DGT's electronic office:

   • Access with a digital certificate or Cl@ve

   • Fill out the electronic application form

   • Attach the scanned documentation

   • Make the online payment of the fee

It is crucial to keep in mind that the vehicle must not have any judicial or administrative seals to be able to carry out this procedure. If there is any seal, it would be necessary to cancel it beforehand before proceeding with the temporary deregistration.

For agricultural vehicles, there is an additional step: it is necessary to deregister them first in the Official Register of Agricultural Machinery (ROMA) of the corresponding Autonomous Community. This requirement is essential before starting the procedure with the DGT.

Once the process is completed, the DGT will issue a certificate of temporary deregistration. It is essential to keep this document, as it will be necessary to reactivate the vehicle in the future or to present it to the insurance company if necessary.

Efficient management of these procedures can be facilitated by good automotive management software, especially useful for dealers or companies that handle multiple vehicles.

4. Important considerations

When considering temporarily deregistering a vehicle, there are several crucial aspects to keep in mind to avoid problems and ensure that the process is beneficial. These considerations range from legal to practical aspects, and understanding them is essential for making an informed decision.

First of all, it is crucial to understand that during the deregistration period, the vehicle cannot circulate on public roads under any circumstances. Doing so could result in significant fines and serious legal issues. This restriction is absolute and does not allow for exceptions, so it is essential to ensure that the vehicle will not be needed during the deregistration period.

Another important point to consider is the duration of the temporary deregistration. According to current regulations, temporary deregistration has a maximum duration of one year, although extensions can be requested. It is essential to take this time limit into account when planning the deregistration of the vehicle.

It is advisable to keep the vehicle in good condition during the deregistration period, especially if reactivation is planned for the future. This includes performing basic periodic maintenance, such as starting the engine occasionally to avoid mechanical problems due to prolonged inactivity.

5. Reactivation of the vehicle

When the time comes to use the vehicle again, it is necessary to carry out the reactivation process. This procedure is relatively simple, but it requires attention to certain details to ensure everything is in order.

To reactivate the vehicle, you must go to the DGT with the following documentation:

• The certificate of temporary deregistration

• The circulation permit

• The ITV card

• ID or NIE of the holder

It is important to note that when reactivating the vehicle, all associated obligations, such as insurance and ITV, must be updated. Additionally, the corresponding road tax for the current year must be paid.

An efficient automotive management software can be very helpful in keeping accurate track of reactivation dates and the necessary procedures, especially for dealers or companies with multiple vehicles.

6. Special cases and exceptions

There are particular situations that require special considerations in the temporary deregistration process:

1. Stolen vehicles: In the case of theft, the police automatically handles the temporary deregistration. It is not necessary for the owner to carry out any additional procedures.

2. Vehicles in sales: Dealers can request temporary deregistration for delivery to sales, which exempts them from transferring the vehicle to their name while they have it in stock.

3. Vehicles with encumbrances: If the vehicle has encumbrances (such as a reserve of domain), it is necessary to obtain the authorization of the encumbrance holder to proceed with the temporary deregistration.

These special situations may require more complex management, where automotive management software can be particularly useful to maintain adequate tracking of each case.

7. Impact on vehicle management software

The management of temporary deregistrations can have a significant impact on the vehicle management software used by dealers and companies in the sector. A good system should be able to:

• Record and track vehicles that are temporarily deregistered

• Generate alerts for the expiration dates of deregistrations

• Facilitate the documentation management associated with these procedures

• Integrate temporary deregistration information into inventory and sales reports

The implementation of appropriate software can greatly simplify the management of these processes, reducing errors and improving operational efficiency.

8. Alternatives to temporary deregistration

Although temporary deregistration is a useful option in many cases, there are alternatives that may be more suitable in certain situations:

1. Sale of the vehicle: If the vehicle is not expected to be used in the long term, selling it may be a more convenient option.

2. Temporary rental or transfer: In some cases, renting or temporarily transferring the vehicle may be a viable alternative to temporary deregistration.

3. Shared use: Car-sharing platforms may be an option to keep the vehicle in use and generate income during periods of personal non-use.

These alternatives may require different management strategies, where versatile automotive software can be of great help to evaluate and execute the best option in each case.

The temporary deregistration of vehicles is a useful tool for owners and companies in the automotive sector. It offers significant advantages in terms of savings and flexibility but requires careful management and compliance with certain legal requirements.