The fine for not carrying the DeCA: how much, and how to avoid it
The Spanish road transport law classifies the absence of the mandatory control documentation as a serious offence, and sets a fine of 401 to 600 euros for it.
Free: no fee, no document limit and no commitment.
Figures from the consolidated statute. The final amount is graduated to the case.
What the law says
Two articles of Law 16/1987 of 30 July answer the question: one defines the offence and the other sets the range.
- A serious offence.
- Article 141.17 treats as serious the absence, the failure to complete, or the missing essential data of the control, statistical or accounting documentation whose completion is mandatory.
- A fine of 401 to 600 euros.
- Article 143.1.d sets that range for the offence in article 141.17.
- The company is liable too.
- Article 141.17 says the offence is committed by companies that do not properly ensure their drivers have the mandatory documentation, on paper or in electronic form.
What counts as not carrying the DeCA
It is not only going without the paper. The statute speaks of absence, of failure to complete, and of missing essential data.
- The document did not exist before the service.
- The Resolution requires the DeCA to exist before the carriage starts. A document created afterwards does not cover the journey already on the road.
- Article 6 data is missing.
- If an essential field is missing, the document is not properly completed.
- The QR code does not open the document.
- The QR code is part of the file and must lead to a direct download, with no authentication.
- Changes were not recorded.
- A change without its reason, or a new file that does not keep the original, breaks the traceability the rule requires.
How to avoid it
The fine is avoided with the right document at the right moment, not with a copy in the office.
- Issue it before loading.
- The DeCA must exist before the service starts.
- Carry it on the phone.
- The PDF with its QR code inside is shown from the phone. It can also be carried on paper.
- Check that the QR code opens without an account.
- If the QR code asks for a user and a password, it does not meet what the Resolution requires.
- Update through the same link.
- Each change is added with its reason and keeps the original document.
What this page does not say
The range is the statute’s, and the sanction is graduated. This page does not assess a particular case and does not replace the official text.
- The amount can change.
- Article 143.1 requires the fine to be graduated by social impact, intent, the damage caused, the benefit obtained and repeat offending.
- Other offences may apply.
- This page only deals with the absence of the control documentation. Other conduct has its own regime.
- The source is the BOE.
- The consolidated text of Law 16/1987 is linked below. It is the reference to read.
Questions about the DeCA fine
What the statute answers, without assessing a particular case.
- How much is the fine for not carrying the DeCA?
- The offence in article 141.17 of the Spanish road transport law is punished with a fine of 401 to 600 euros under article 143.1.d.
- Is it a minor or a serious offence?
- Serious. Article 141.17 lists it among the serious offences.
- Who is liable, the driver or the company?
- The law makes liable the companies that do not ensure their drivers carry the mandatory documentation, on paper or in electronic form.
- Is carrying the PDF on the phone enough?
- The DeCA can be carried on the phone or on paper. The QR code inside the PDF opens the document without an account.
- Do I just pay the fine and move on?
- Paying does not document the carriage. The DeCA for the service is still what a check asks for.
Section Eight of the Resolución allows the DeCA to take the format of a consignment note, of an ADR transport document or of a waste identification document, provided it carries every item of data in article 6 of the Orden FOM/2861/2012. The DeCA in detail
Keep reading
The other answers this site gives, each on its own page.
Where each fact comes from.
Checked on 23 September 2026.
BOE-A-2026-12784
Resolución de 5 de junio de 2026Digital obligation from 5 October 2026, native PDF up to 5 MB, QR carrying the document URL, direct download without authentication, one year minimum retention, advanced signature at least where the DeCA is also used for a contractual purpose and has to be included signed, and section Eight on the consignment note format.
BOE
Ley 9/2025, de 3 de diciembre, de movilidad sostenibleEntry into force on 5 December 2025 and transitional provision eight: the administrative control document of public road haulage of goods must be digital ten months later, which sets 5 October 2026.
BOE
Orden FOM/2861/2012Article 6: the list of data the control document has to carry.
Ministerio de Transportes
Preguntas frecuentes DeCAScope of the obligation, and the role of SIMPLE.
Comisión Europea
Reglamento (UE) 2020/1056Full application on 9 July 2027 and who it binds, with its implementation page.
Naciones Unidas
Protocolo Adicional al CMRElectronic consignment note: states party, and article 3 on a reliable method of signature.
BOE
Ley 15/2009Inland carriage contract: articles 10 bis, 11 and 15 on the consignment note.
BOE-A-1987-17803
Ley 16/1987, de 30 de julio, de Ordenación de los Transportes TerrestresArticles 141.17 and 143.1.d: the missing mandatory control documentation and its fine of 401 to 600 euros.
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