ES · Expiry & renewal tracking
Keep ATP certificates for refrigerated vehicles from expiring
Vehicles carrying temperature-controlled food in Spain pass their first ATP check six years after the pre-service inspection and then every three years, at an inspection body or authorised ITV station (Royal Decree 237/2000, Annex 1, letter C). The certificate is carried on board unless the vehicle has the ATP plate.
Special vehicles registered in Spain that carry temperature-controlled food within the country must carry one of the certificates of conformity in Article 9, or a copy authenticated by the issuing body, on board (Article 7.1 of Royal Decree 237/2000). This is not needed if the vehicle has the ATP certification plate fitted (Article 7.3). The rules of the ATP Agreement also apply to transport within Spain (Article 1 of Royal Decree 1202/2005).
A special vehicle may only be put or kept in service if it has passed the initial, periodic and exceptional inspections (Article 5.1). The first conformity check after entry into service takes place six years after the inspection before entry into service; subsequent checks every three years, or earlier if the competent authority requires (Annex 1, letter C). Periodic checks are carried out by inspection bodies or by ITV stations authorised by the regional government (Article 5.2), which issue the certificate electronically (Article 9).
Conditions change with age: at 15 years from manufacture of the insulated body, the vehicle must pass a test of the overall heat transfer coefficient K at a testing station to renew the certificate; if it stays in service, the test is repeated at 24 years and then every three years (Annex 4, section 3). For units over 12 years old, the certificate's validity date may not go beyond 15 years from manufacture of the insulated body.
At a glance
| First periodic check | Six years after the inspection before entry into service (Annex 1, letter C) |
|---|---|
| Subsequent checks | Every three years, or earlier if the authority requires (Annex 1, letter C) |
| Who inspects | Inspection body or authorised ITV station (Article 5.2) |
| On board | Certificate of conformity or authenticated copy, unless the ATP plate is fitted (Article 7.1 and 7.3) |
| K test | At 15 years of the insulated body; then at 24 and every three years (Annex 4, section 3) |
| After repair or modification | Exceptional inspection (Article 5.5) |
Who is responsible?
The vehicle must carry the certificate on board during transport, and it must be shown when requested by the health, transport or industry authorities (Article 7.1 of Royal Decree 237/2000). If the vehicle no longer meets the specifications, or at the end of validity, the certificate and plate are returned to the body or station that issued them or to the regional authority, and the plate is removed (Article 7.4). If a repair or modification may have altered the vehicle's characteristics, an exceptional inspection is required (Article 5.5).
If the deadline passes
Carrying food or perishable goods in a vehicle without a certificate of conformity, or with an expired or falsified one, is a serious offence (Article 141.21 of the Land Transport Act, Law 16/1987).
Year six is different
The first check comes at six years and later ones every three years (Annex 1, letter C, of Royal Decree 237/2000). If you record only a flat three-year period from entry into service, the first reminder will arrive three years too early. Record the validity date shown on the certificate.
Tracking it with ExpirySuite
- Add each refrigerated or insulated vehicle with the validity date of its ATP or TMP certificate.
- Email reminders arrive 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before and on the day itself.
- The inspection body or ITV station can upload the new certificate through a secure link that is valid for 14 days and needs no account.
- Assign a responsible person, such as the fleet 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 often is a Spanish ATP certificate renewed?
- The first conformity check is six years after the inspection before entry into service, and subsequent checks every three years, or earlier if the authority requires (Royal Decree 237/2000, Annex 1, letter C).
- Who carries out the inspection?
- An inspection body permitted to operate in the region, or an ITV station authorised by the region (Article 5.2).
- What changes at 15 years?
- To renew the certificate, the vehicle must pass a K coefficient test at a testing station; if it stays in service, the test is repeated at 24 years and then every three years (Annex 4, section 3).
- Does it apply to domestic transport too?
- Yes. ATP rules apply to transport within Spain (Article 1 of Royal Decree 1202/2005), and the certificate must be carried on board (Article 7.1 of Royal Decree 237/2000).
Sources
- Real Decreto 237/2000, especificaciones técnicas de los vehículos especiales para el transporte terrestre de productos alimentarios a temperatura regulada: artículos 5, 7 y 9, anejo 1 (letra C) y anejo 4 (apartado 3) (BOE, texto consolidado)
- Real Decreto 1202/2005, sobre el transporte de mercancías perecederas: artículo 1 (BOE, texto consolidado)
- Ley 16/1987, de Ordenación de los Transportes Terrestres (LOTT): artículos 140 y 141 (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 refrigerated transport certificate (ATP) (Spain)
A ready template for refrigerated transport certificate (ATP) (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 refrigerated transport certificate (ATP) (Spain) expires, plus overdue escalation to managers.
Assign an owner
Give each refrigerated transport certificate (ATP) (Spain) an owner and let employees update their own via a secure link — no login needed.