Online procedures for your car during the state of emergency

We tell you about the 8 vehicle procedures you can complete online while the lockdown under the state of emergency lasts.

The insurance comparison site Acierto.com has summarised the formalities that can be carried out from home during this period of isolation due to COVID-19. The coronavirus is bringing the world to a standstill. It has caused production to stop at car factories, driving tests at the DGT have been suspended, and the situations in which you may go out onto the street and take your car have been restricted.

The restrictions on the free movement of citizens mean that many of the procedures we would have had to carry out for our car during these weeks have been put on hold. That is why it is useful to know that many of these formalities can be done from home.

1. Obtaining information

If we are interested in buying or selling a car, the DGT’s Electronic Headquarters has a section with the necessary information and the essential documents for completing the sale-purchase process. In addition, the website also provides the documentation for the change of ownership, notification of sale and change of regular driver.

2. Changes of ownership

The change of ownership of the car can also be carried out online. The application must be submitted by the buyer of the vehicle and is available through the electronic register of the General Access Point of the Administration. Once completed, the transfer of ownership form and the proof of payment will be required.

3. Registration

It may seem surprising, but registration can also be done electronically. Having our vehicle registered is the first thing we must do, as it is essential for driving it. On the DGT website we will find the official form. The owner will need to provide the current MOT (ITV), proof that the registration tax has been paid, and the payment receipt for the corresponding fee.

4. Insurance

Another mandatory requirement when acquiring a vehicle is having third-party liability insurance. Although you may think this can only be done in person, it is a very quick procedure that can be done electronically. The process starts with insurance comparison sites, where the customer can assess which option suits them best. Once a decision has been made, everything is handled through telephone calls with the relevant operators of the chosen company.

5. Assessment of damage

During the state of emergency, assessors are not carrying out their work in person, for obvious reasons. However, some insurance companies are offering this online damage assessment service. The assessor evaluates the damage to the car and calculates the compensation using photos and videos submitted by the individual. For the time being, this procedure is usually applied to minor incidents.

6. Fines

Fines that are outstanding or that reach us during the lockdown can be paid through the DGT website. In addition to paying the penalty, you can submit objections or appeals to identify the driver who was driving the car at the time. Other procedures available may include requesting a refund of a payment or checking whether any fines are pending and, for whatever reason, they have not managed to contact us.

7. Traffic permits

In this section, the owner of a car can obtain a special mobility authorisation. The mobility procedures section contains exceptional documents that we can print to obtain a certificate allowing us to travel on the roads during the state of emergency.

8. Other procedures

The DGT also allows you to check other matters related to the car, such as driving licence points, the status of a driving licence application, exam results (if you took the exam before the quarantine), and obtaining a duplicate driving licence.