CL · Expiry & renewal tracking
Never let a machinery operator in your company miss their Class D licence check
The special Class D licence, for self-propelled machinery such as tractors, cranes and backhoes, has no expiry date, but every 6 years the holder proves moral, physical and mental fitness to the municipal Traffic Department (Traffic Act, Articles 12 and 19). The check is due no later than the holder's birthday.
Chile's Traffic Act distinguishes professional licences (Class A), non-professional licences (Classes B and C) and special licences (Classes D, E and F). The special Class D licence entitles the holder to drive self-propelled machinery such as tractors, seeders, harvesters, bulldozers, mechanical shovels, loaders, rollers, cranes, motor graders, backhoes, scrapers and similar machines (Traffic Act, Article 12). No one may drive a motor vehicle without a licence issued by the Director of the Municipal Traffic and Public Transport Department of an authorised municipality, except in the cases the Act itself lists (Article 5). To drive vehicles other than those covered by the class held, the driver must sit the corresponding examinations and obtain a new licence, which replaces the previous one and states the classes it covers (Article 12).
A driving licence has no end date and stays valid as long as the holder meets the legal requirements (Article 19, first paragraph). The holder of a non-professional Class B or C licence, or of a special licence, must show every 6 years that they meet the moral, physical and mental fitness requirements, in the manner set out in Articles 14 and 22 (Article 19, second paragraph). For non-professional and special licences, moral fitness is assessed by the Traffic Director on the basis of the Civil Registry and National Driver Register reports, and physical and mental fitness is shown by a certificate issued jointly by the Head of the Technical Office of the municipal Traffic Department and its doctor (Article 14, letter B).
The check for any licence class must take place no later than the holder's birthday. If that day is not a working day, the check takes place on the next working day; if the birthday is 29 February, on the first working day of March (Article 20, last paragraph). In justified cases, where the deficiency is not serious or in view of the applicant's age and general condition, the licence may be granted for a period shorter than 6 years (Article 22, last paragraph).
At a glance
| What it covers | Driving self-propelled machinery: tractors, bulldozers, mechanical shovels and loaders, rollers, cranes, motor graders, backhoes, scrapers and similar (Article 12) |
|---|---|
| Licence type | Special licence (Classes D, E and F), distinct from the professional Class A and the non-professional B and C (Article 12) |
| Licence term | No end date, as long as the holder meets the legal requirements (Article 19, first paragraph) |
| Check | Every 6 years, the same as non-professional Class B and C licences (Article 19, second paragraph) |
| Deadline | No later than the holder's birthday; if that is not a working day, the next working day; if it is 29 February, the first working day of March (Article 20, last paragraph) |
| What is shown | Moral, physical and mental fitness, in the manner set out in Articles 14 and 22 (Article 19, second paragraph) |
| Who certifies | Moral fitness: the municipal Traffic Director; physical and mental fitness: joint certificate of the Head of the Technical Office and the doctor of the Traffic Department (Article 14, letter B) |
| Shorter term | In justified cases the licence may be granted for a shorter period (Article 22, last paragraph) |
The local police court judge may order an earlier check, and the municipal traffic director or the judge may cancel or suspend the licence for supervening physical or mental incapacity (Article 20). If the operator also needs to drive trucks or other goods vehicles, that is a different licence class (Article 12).
Who is responsible?
The licence holder must have the check done (Article 19). For the company, an owner or keeper handing a vehicle to someone who does not meet the requirements to drive commits a serious offence (Article 200, item 4), and driving with a licence other than the one required is also a serious offence (Article 200, item 2). That is why the risk-prevention team, the site manager or the plant manager should keep the calendar of their operators' checks.
If the deadline passes
A licence holder's failure to meet the obligations in Article 19 is a less serious offence (Traffic Act, Article 201, item 19). If the check was missed, the company handing over the machine is exposed to the serious offence in Article 200, item 4, for handing a vehicle to someone who does not meet the requirements to drive.
Class D is not a professional licence
Class D is a special licence and its check is every 6 years (Article 19, second paragraph); professional Class A drivers have their own check every 4 years (Article 19, third paragraph). A holder of a professional licence is entitled to drive Class B vehicles, but the Act does not extend that entitlement to the self-propelled machinery of Class D (Article 12). If one operator combines machinery and trucks, record each class with its own check date.
Tracking it with ExpirySuite
- Add each machinery operator and record their birthday in the year their check is due as the expiry date; if the licence was granted for a shorter period, use that date.
- Email reminders arrive 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before expiry and on the expiry day.
- The operator can upload the checked licence through a secure link that is valid for 14 days and needs no account.
- Assign a responsible person, such as the safety officer or site manager; if a check is overdue, managers get further reminders 3, 7 and 14 days later.
Frequently asked questions
- How often is a Class D licence checked?
- Every 6 years, as the holder of a special licence (Traffic Act, Article 19, second paragraph), no later than the holder's birthday (Article 20, last paragraph).
- Which machines can be driven with Class D?
- Self-propelled machinery such as tractors, seeders, harvesters, bulldozers, mechanical shovels, loaders, rollers, cranes, motor graders, backhoes, scrapers and similar machines (Article 12).
- Can a driver with a professional licence operate machinery?
- The Act entitles holders of a professional licence to drive Class B vehicles (Article 12). To drive vehicles other than those covered by the class held, the driver must sit the corresponding examinations and obtain a new licence stating the classes it covers (Article 12).
- What is reviewed at the check?
- The holder's moral, physical and mental fitness, in the manner set out in Articles 14 and 22 (Article 19, second paragraph). For special licences, physical and mental fitness is shown by the joint certificate of the Head of the Technical Office and the doctor of the municipal Traffic Department (Article 14, letter B).
Sources
Last checked: Oct 10, 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 special licence Class D (self-propelled machinery), periodic control (Chile)
A ready template for special licence Class D (self-propelled machinery), periodic control (Chile) 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 special licence Class D (self-propelled machinery), periodic control (Chile) expires, plus overdue escalation to managers.
Assign an owner
Give each special licence Class D (self-propelled machinery), periodic control (Chile) an owner and let employees update their own via a secure link — no login needed.