From 5 October 2026, any haulier who does not carry a duly completed DeCA on board their vehicle will face a financial penalty. Legally, there will be no turning back. However, not all offences committed will be the same, nor will the fines they are required to pay.<\/p>\n
In today\u2019s article, we explain the penalties and fines for failing to comply with the DeCA, as well as the reasons that may lead to you facing these consequences.<\/p>\n
Many professionals believe they can only be penalised if they do not carry the DeCA<\/a> inside the vehicle. This is not the case. In practice, errors may occur that prevent the traceability of the load or the validity of the digital record from being verified.<\/p>\n The specific causes that trigger these penalties are:<\/p>\n These are the three levels of penalty you may face if there is a problem with the control document:<\/p>\n First and foremost, bear in mind that, although there are three levels of penalties, the financial amount to be paid is not a fixed sum. To determine the amount to be paid, Article 143.1 of the LOTT sets out five criteria that the competent authorities must take into account:<\/p>\n In addition to the above, the authorities will check whether there have been any previous penalties.<\/p>\n Although the prospect of a financial penalty causes considerable concern, the truth is that, if you find yourself in this situation, paying a fine may be the least of your worries. Beyond a financial penalty, breaching the DeCA can result in a significantly higher cost:<\/p>\n Until the incident is resolved, traffic officers may order the lorry to be immobilised. Although this is not the general rule, it does apply in certain circumstances, as set out in Article 143.4 of the Land Transport Organisation Act (LOTT)<\/a>.<\/p>\n In some cases, the issue will be resolved quickly, but in others it may occur at night or at the weekend.<\/strong> This would mean the haulier having to stay overnight with the goods<\/strong>, but it would also throw route planning into disarray and cause delays in delivery to the destination<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Accumulating open disciplinary proceedings or debts arising from unpaid fines brings administrative procedures to a standstill. You will not be able to obtain new operating licences, use the licences you already hold, or transfer the vehicles subject to sanctions until you have paid the corresponding amount.<\/p>\n Every penalty incurred is recorded in the Register of Transport Companies and Activities. Furthermore, repeat offences increase the severity<\/strong> of the next penalty, and those classified as very serious offences may affect the transport manager\u2019s good standing<\/strong>.<\/p>\n This is one of the most frequently asked questions amongst professionals. And the short answer is that liability for payment varies depending on where the fault originated<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The contractual shipper<\/strong> is the person responsible for contracting and paying for the transport<\/strong>. They are responsible for the shipment details<\/strong> appearing on the document: the tax identification number<\/strong>, the actual carrier\u2019s details<\/strong>, the description of the goods<\/strong>, and the places of origin and destination<\/strong>. If these details are incorrect, false or incomplete, the liability for the infringement falls on them.<\/p>\n For their part, the actual carrier is responsible for ensuring the document is available on board<\/strong> in a valid format: a native digital PDF with a legible QR code<\/strong>, or on a mobile phone.<\/strong> During checks, they must present the document, and no excuse is accepted<\/strong> (such as the mobile phone running out of battery, having only a paper copy, or a system failure). The carrier is also responsible for the date and the vehicle registration number.<\/p>\n In the event that the control document has not been issued<\/strong>, both the contractual shipper and the actual carrier may each be fined<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Yes. Order FOM\/2861\/2021 excludes transport operations without a valid licence<\/strong>, certain parcel delivery services<\/strong>, those transporting damaged vehicles and, finally, vehicles used for removals.<\/p>\n Time is running out and the clock won\u2019t stop on 5 October. Waiting until the last minute only increases the risk of making documentation errors, suffering delays on the road and facing financial and administrative penalties.<\/p>\n Viafirma allows you to digitise, manage and sign the DeCA quickly, intuitively and in full compliance with current regulations. Ensure the smooth operation of your vehicles, protect your company\u2019s reputation and optimise the traceability of every consignment starting today.<\/p>\n What are you waiting for? Contact our sales team<\/a> and find out how to easily transition your road haulage operations to a digital environment.<\/p>\n\n
Types and amounts of fines for non-compliance with the DeCA<\/h2>\n
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Administrative consequences and operational inefficiencies<\/h2>\n
Vehicle immobilisation and delays in the supply chain<\/h3>\n
Suspension of licences and refusal of new licences<\/h3>\n
It accumulates on your record<\/h3>\n
Frequently asked questions about the DeCA<\/h2>\n
Who pays the fine?<\/h3>\n
Are there any vehicles that are exempt?<\/h3>\n
Viafirma puts the DeCA in your hands<\/h2>\n
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