How long is the CAP card valid?

Five years (article 20.1 of Royal Decree 284/2021).

How much periodic training is required?

35 hours every five years, which may be split into sessions of at least 7 hours within the same calendar year (article 7.2).

When should the renewal course be taken?

Within the twelve months before the card's expiry date.

ES · Expiry & renewal tracking

Never let a driver's CAP card expire

Drivers of vehicles requiring a C1, C, D1 or D licence, with or without +E, must hold the Spanish CAP driver qualification card, issued with a five-year validity (Article 20.1 of Royal Decree 284/2021). It is renewed with a 35-hour periodic training course taken within the twelve months before it expires (Article 7.2).

Royal Decree 284/2021 requires drivers who carry out road transport in vehicles needing a C1, C1+E, C, C+E, D1, D1+E, D or D+E licence to hold the certificate of professional competence, CAP (article 1). Periodic training is 35 hours every five years, in sessions of at least 7 hours (article 7.2).

The driver qualification card is issued with a validity of five years (article 20.1) and is renewed by completing a periodic training course within the twelve months before it expires. In a transport company every driver has a different date; seeing them together stops a driver being grounded.

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At a glance

Who	Drivers of vehicles needing licence C1, C1+E, C, C+E, D1, D1+E, D or D+E in road transport (article 1)
Periodic training	35 hours every five years, in sessions of at least 7 hours (article 7.2)
CAP card	Valid five years (article 20.1)
Renewal	Periodic training course within the twelve months before expiry

Who is responsible?

The driver completes the training; the transport company must make sure its drivers hold a valid CAP.

If the deadline passes

Carrying out transport with drivers who lack the certificate of professional competence or a valid CAP card is an infringement under the Road Transport Regulation (article 197.19, added by Royal Decree 284/2021), punishable for the company.

Tracking it with ExpirySuite

Add each driver as a person and record the CAP card expiry date.
Reminders arrive 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before; the course can be taken in the previous twelve months, so there is time to plan.
The driver can upload the renewed card through a secure link without an account; the record updates once you approve it.
A driver with an expired CAP shows as non-compliant in the compliance dashboard.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the CAP card valid?: Five years (article 20.1 of Royal Decree 284/2021).
How much periodic training is required?: 35 hours every five years, which may be split into sessions of at least 7 hours within the same calendar year (article 7.2).
When should the renewal course be taken?: Within the twelve months before the card's expiry date.

Sources

Last checked: Sep 28, 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 CAP driver qualification card (Spain)

A ready template for CAP driver qualification 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 CAP driver qualification card (Spain) expires, plus overdue escalation to managers.

Assign an owner

Give each CAP driver qualification card (Spain) an owner and let employees update their own via a secure link — no login needed.