How long does SOAT last?

At least one year. For antique or classic vehicles the term may not be shorter than three months, and there are temporary policies for border areas and for imported vehicles moving from port to dealer (Article 193(2) of the Organic Statute of the Financial System).

What happens if I drive with expired SOAT?

To be driven, a vehicle must be covered by valid compulsory insurance (Article 42 of Ley 769 de 2002). Driving without the insurance required by law is punished with a fine and the vehicle is impounded (Article 131, item D.2).

Do foreign vehicles need it too?

Yes. The obligation also covers foreign vehicles in transit through Colombia (Article 192(1) of the Statute).

Can I take the roadworthiness inspection without SOAT?

No. The vehicle registration document and the compulsory insurance are required for the inspection (Article 53 of Ley 769).

CO · Expiry & renewal tracking

Never let a SOAT policy in your fleet expire unnoticed

Every motor vehicle driven in Colombia must have valid SOAT insurance, and the policy runs for at least one year (Article 193(2) of the Organic Statute of the Financial System; Article 42 of Ley 769 de 2002). Driving without it is fined and the vehicle impounded, and no roadworthiness inspection can be done.

To drive anywhere in Colombia, every motor vehicle must be covered by valid compulsory insurance for bodily injury caused to people in traffic accidents; this also applies to foreign vehicles in transit through the country (Article 192(1) of the Organic Statute of the Financial System, Decreto 663 de 1993). The National Land Traffic Code repeats the requirement: all vehicles must be covered by valid compulsory insurance, and SOAT is governed by the rules in force or those that amend or replace them (Article 42 of Ley 769 de 2002).

The policy runs for at least one year. The exceptions are temporary policies for vehicles driving in border areas and for imported vehicles moving from the port to dealers; for vehicles classified as antique or classic, the term may not be shorter than three months. Traffic authorities check this (Article 193(2) of the Statute, as amended by Ley 1364 de 2009).

The policy is delivered to the policyholder only once the premium has been paid, except where a public-law entity is responsible for it (Article 193(3)).

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At a glance

Who needs it	Every motor vehicle driving in Colombia, including foreign vehicles in transit (Article 192(1) of the Statute; Article 42 of Ley 769)
Term	At least one year (Article 193(2) of the Statute)
Exceptions	Temporary policies for border areas and for imported vehicles moving from port to dealer; at least three months for antique or classic vehicles (Article 193(2))
Who issues it	The insurers referred to in Article 196(1) of the Statute, which are obliged to provide it (Article 192(1))
Policy delivery	Only after the premium is paid, except for public-law entities (Article 193(3))
Roadworthiness inspection	The vehicle registration document and the compulsory insurance are required for it (Article 53 of Ley 769)

Who is responsible?

The obligation attaches to the vehicle: every motor vehicle must be covered by valid SOAT to be driven (Article 192(1) of the Statute and Article 42 of Ley 769). Authorised insurers must provide the cover (Article 192(1)), and the policy is delivered to the policyholder once the premium is paid (Article 193(3)). Traffic authorities check that the cover is valid (Article 193(2)).

If the deadline passes

Driving without the insurance required by law is a traffic offence punished with a fine, and the vehicle is also impounded (Article 131, item D.2, of Ley 769 de 2002, as amended by Ley 1383 de 2010). Without the compulsory insurance, the roadworthiness inspection cannot be carried out either (Article 53 of Ley 769).

Tracking it with ExpirySuite

Add each vehicle as a record and enter the expiry date shown on its SOAT policy.
Email reminders arrive 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before expiry and on the expiry day.
Whoever handles the policy can upload the renewed SOAT through a secure link that is valid for 14 days and needs no account.
Assign a responsible person to each vehicle, such as the fleet manager; if a SOAT policy expires, managers get further reminders 3, 7 and 14 days later.

Frequently asked questions

How long does SOAT last?: At least one year. For antique or classic vehicles the term may not be shorter than three months, and there are temporary policies for border areas and for imported vehicles moving from port to dealer (Article 193(2) of the Organic Statute of the Financial System).
What happens if I drive with expired SOAT?: To be driven, a vehicle must be covered by valid compulsory insurance (Article 42 of Ley 769 de 2002). Driving without the insurance required by law is punished with a fine and the vehicle is impounded (Article 131, item D.2).
Do foreign vehicles need it too?: Yes. The obligation also covers foreign vehicles in transit through Colombia (Article 192(1) of the Statute).
Can I take the roadworthiness inspection without SOAT?: No. The vehicle registration document and the compulsory insurance are required for the inspection (Article 53 of Ley 769).

Sources

Last checked: Oct 3, 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 compulsory traffic accident insurance (SOAT) (Colombia)

A ready template for compulsory traffic accident insurance (SOAT) (Colombia) 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 compulsory traffic accident insurance (SOAT) (Colombia) expires, plus overdue escalation to managers.

Assign an owner

Give each compulsory traffic accident insurance (SOAT) (Colombia) an owner and let employees update their own via a secure link — no login needed.