Competent Authority
DGT – Dirección General de Tráfico
• For national roads and routes outside concessioned highways.
• The DGT issues the permit via its provincial offices or through its online portal.
• Official portal: https://sede.dgt.gob.es/es/tramites-y-multas/vehiculos/transporte-excepcion
Explanations & Remarks
• The reference authority for exceptional transport on the national network is the DGT.
• For routes under national competence (weight, dimensions, sensitive infrastructure, etc.), it may be necessary to address the request — or coordinate — with the Ministry via the “Ministerio de Fomento.”
• For complex convoys, a specialized private service provider (escort, permits, logistics) such as GLOBALPILOT S.L. or IStS Ibérica can facilitate the procedure — particularly useful if convoys exceed standard dimensions, cross multiple autonomous communities, or require escort.
• In practice, the applicant must provide a complete dossier: vehicle registration/technical sheet, convoy dimensions, load description, route, insurance, etc. This aligns with “abnormal load” standards — generic / specific / exceptional permit — depending on convoy size/weight.
Limits & What to Verify Next
• This list is not exhaustive: Spain has numerous concessioned highways, regional concessions, provincial or local administrations — each may have its own procedures or requirements.
• For complex routes (tunnels, bridges, mountainous areas, urban zones, crossing multiple regions), it is necessary to verify for each section whether a specific permit or coordination is required — the DGT application alone may not suffice.