ES · Expiry & renewal tracking
Renew the driver card before it expires
The tachograph driver card is valid in Spain for five years, the maximum under Regulation (EU) No 165/2014 (Article 26.6; Article 5 of Order FOM/1190/2005). Renewal is requested from the road transport authority of the place of residence at least 15 working days before expiry to get the new card in time (Article 28).
The driver card is issued, at the driver's request, by the competent authority of the member state where the driver normally lives, within one month of receiving the application and all documents. It is valid for no more than five years (Article 26.1 and 26.6 of Regulation (EU) No 165/2014). In Spain the driver card is valid for five years (Article 5 of Order FOM/1190/2005).
To renew it, the holder must apply to the authorities of the state of normal residence at least 15 working days before the expiry date; if the application is made in time, the authority provides the new card before the old one expires (Article 28.1 and 28.3 of the Regulation). In Spain the application goes to the regional road transport authority for the place of residence, and the new card is valid for five years (Article 6 of the Order).
The card is personal. A driver may not hold more than one valid card and must not use a defective or expired card (Article 27 of the Regulation; Article 5 of the Order). The issuing authority may require the card to be replaced with a new one where needed to meet technical specifications (Article 26.7a, added by Regulation (EU) 2020/1054).
At a glance
| Validity | At most 5 years (Regulation (EU) 165/2014, Art. 26.6; Order FOM/1190/2005, Art. 5) |
|---|---|
| Renewal | Apply at least 15 working days before expiry (Art. 28.1) |
| Where | Road transport authority for the place of residence (Order, Art. 6) |
| Loss, theft, damage or malfunction | Apply for a replacement within 7 calendar days (Art. 29.4; Order, Art. 8) |
| Driving without the card after loss or failure | Up to 15 calendar days, if justified (Art. 29.5) |
| Change of details | Apply for renewal within one month (Order, Art. 7) |
| Number of cards | Only one valid card per driver (Art. 27.2) |
In Spain the replacement card is issued within five working days of the application and keeps the validity of the old card (Order FOM/1190/2005, Art. 8); the Regulation sets a maximum of eight working days (Art. 29.4).
Who is responsible?
The card is personal and the driver applies for it (Articles 26.1 and 27.1 of the Regulation). Normal residence means the place where a person usually lives for at least 185 days per calendar year because of personal and occupational ties (Article 26.2). Whoever manages the fleet can track expiry dates to remind each driver in time.
If the deadline passes
A driver may not use an expired card (Article 27.2 of the Regulation; Article 5 of the Order). If a replacement for loss, theft, damage, malfunction or withdrawal is requested after the expiry date, it is processed as a first issue (Article 8 of the Order).
Why apply before the deadline
The authority is only obliged to provide the new card before the old one expires if the renewal application is made at least 15 working days before expiry (Article 28.3 of the Regulation; Article 6 of the Order).
Tracking it with ExpirySuite
- Add each driver and record the expiry date of their driver card.
- Email reminders arrive 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before and on the day itself. The 60-day reminder arrives before the 15-working-day deadline for applying.
- The driver can upload the new card through a secure link that is valid for 14 days and needs no account.
- Assign a responsible person, such as the company's transport manager; emails arrive in each recipient's language. If a date passes, managers get further reminders 3, 7 and 14 days later.
Frequently asked questions
- How long is a Spanish driver card valid?
- At most five years (Article 26.6 of Regulation (EU) 165/2014). In Spain, five years (Article 5 of Order FOM/1190/2005).
- When should I apply for renewal?
- At least 15 working days before the expiry date, so that the authority provides the new card before the old one expires (Article 28.1 and 28.3 of the Regulation).
- What if the card is lost or stolen?
- Apply for a replacement within seven calendar days. In the meantime you may drive without the card for up to 15 calendar days if you can justify being unable to use it (Article 29.4 and 29.5 of the Regulation; Article 8 of the Order).
- Can I hold two cards?
- No. A driver may not hold more than one valid driver card and may only use their own (Article 27.2 of the Regulation).
Sources
- Reglamento (UE) n.º 165/2014, relativo a los tacógrafos en el transporte por carretera: artículos 26 a 29 (DOUE, en BOE)
- Reglamento (UE) 2020/1054, que modifica el Reglamento (UE) n.º 165/2014: artículo 2, punto 10 (DOUE L 249 de 31.7.2020, en BOE)
- Orden FOM/1190/2005, por la que se regula la implantación del tacógrafo digital: artículos 4 a 8 (BOE, texto consolidado)
Last checked: Sep 30, 2026 · This page summarises official sources for general information and is not legal advice. Check the linked sources for current rules and fees.
Made for tachograph driver card (Spain)
A ready template for tachograph driver card (Spain) with sensible validity defaults, so you enter less and track more.
Reminders on time
Email alerts at 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before each tachograph driver card (Spain) expires, plus overdue escalation to managers.
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Give each tachograph driver card (Spain) an owner and let employees update their own via a secure link — no login needed.