A Baja in Spain is the process by which the owner of a vehicle communicates to the Traffic Department that they are taking the vehicle off the road (temporarily or permanently). Here we tell you all you need to know about this.
You will not be able to withdraw the car from circulation or off the road, either temporary or permanently, if it has been officially immobilised with tape or blocked in the traffic department as it is necessary to cancel whatever the problem is previously. It could be to do with the Courts, or the Tax office or the vehicle is not safe. You will usually see a sign on a car saying “Precintado” in this situation, and it will record the Kms, so the Traffic Officers know if it has been moved. They sometimes immobilise the steering wheel or pedals.
The ways to cancel a vehicle are different depending on the type of discharge from normal traffic circulation you intend to do.
Definite Withdrawl of the Car from the Road
This is notifying the DGT or Traffic Department that you are taking the vehicle off the road permanently (withdrawing it from circulation).
Definite withdrawal by transfer of the vehicle to another country
This is notifying the DGT or Traffic Department that you are removing a vehicle due to its transfer abroad, so definitely cancelling it in the Spanish Registry.
Temporary Withdrawal
This is when you advise the DGT or Traffic Department that a vehicle is temporarily withdrawn from circulation.
The reasons for temporarily cancelling a vehicle could be:
•Personal circumstances.
•You have delivered the vehicle to be sold.
•The vehicle has been stolen
Necessary requirements
In the case of a car being taken to another country, before requesting the cancellation of the vehicle you must cancel anything recorded such as a lease agreement unless you have the express consent of the finance company to take it abroad.
If you cancel your vehicle, always remember the following:
If it is a definite withdrawal, you can only carry out the procedure in an authorised breaker´s yard and you must deliver the vehicle along with the documentation and this will give you a proof that it is taken off the road. If you entrust a third party to carry out this process on your behalf, you must ask for this proof. The receipt must clearly indicate that it is a definitive withdrawal and must include the data of both the vehicle and the breaker´s yard that has done the work.
If it is a temporary cancellation for personal reasons you must take into account that the vehicle in question must not go onto the road.
What documentation do you need?
You need to present the following documentation:
• An original application, which is provided both in the breaker´s yard or scrapyard as well as in the Traffic Department.
• Identification:-
Individuals: an official document proving your identity and address (DNI, Spanish driving license, residence card, passport plus NIE – Foreigner Identification Number).
Legal representatives: Tax identification and accreditation of the representation and identity of the signatory.
Minors or disabled people: data and signature of the father, mother or guardian, their ID and a document proving the concept.
• Logbook
• ITV document
Remember that you can authorise a representative to perform these procedures.
Vehicle Processing Request Form
In addition to the previous documentation, in the case of …
•Definite withdrawal by transfer to a country that does not belong to the European Union: A special declaration needs doing.
•Temporary withdrawal due to theft of the vehicle: generally, temporary removals are automatically reported by the Guardia Civil
at the time the Denuncia is done but if not you must report the theft to the Traffic Department,
Where to present it
• Definitive removal of the vehicle
You must deliver your vehicle to a scrapyard or breaker´s yard that displays this identification plate.
You cannot remove a car from the road at the Traffic Department, except for the permanent removal of vintage or historical vehicles, with special value or destined for museums. The Scrapyard issues a special certificate to prove the car has been taken off the road.
Taking a Car Off the Road to transfer the vehicle to another country and temporary loss
This can be done at any provincial Traffic Department. Spanish Solutions can assist with this. The documentation can be presented by your or any other person on your behalf, provided they provide your official identification document (original DNI) and your authorisation to carry out the procedure.
Temporary Removal From The Road
The documentation can be presented by you or any other person on their behalf, provided they provide your official identification document (original DNI) and authorisation from you to carry out the procedure.
How can I cancel my vehicle if I am abroad?
Please contact Spanish Solutions for us to assist with this.
Frequent questions:-
Can I cancel a car whose owner has died?
This can only be processed when there is a probate deed which includes the car and shows the heir to the probate as the person who person makes the delivery of the vehicle to the scrapyard.
How to cancel a vehicle without papers
If the documentation has been lost or stolen, the owner must fill out an affidavit stating their data and those of the vehicle, stating the reason for not presenting the documentation.
When will I stop paying traffic tax?
A vehicle, while it is in current circulation, must pay road tax, whether the vehicle is used or not. Each tax is generated on January 1 and so to avoid a tax the next year the vehicle must be removed during that year. The owner in January always pays the road tax.
Do I have to communicate the cancellation of my vehicle to the Town Hall?
No, the Traffic Department does that.
My car was stolen, how do I cancel it?
You have to make the appropriate report to the Police or Guardia Civil and it is necessary that you advise your Traffic Department with the police report. We could assist with this.
Can I just leave my car on my drive while I am away for six months and not tax or insure it?
No, all cars in Spain (unless you have done a baja or officially taken it off the road) must be taxed and insured.
If we can help you with a baja or any other matters please contact Nicola enquiries@spanishsolutions.net
98 Comments
Brian Graham
My old Mercedes can not run any longer, the engine is broken, it is kept at my house off road in a secure area until I can get rid of it. I want to cancel the insurance on it now and cancel the road tax when I finally get rid of it. What is the procedure? and what forms are required. Kind regards Brian