No tachograph and without speed limiter. Thus circulates the truckers who, from Morocco, can already work in Spain since last year when the government reached a bilateral agreement with the Moroccan executive so that its workers can operate in Spain.
Without tachograph and without speed limiter but, obviously, with the obligation to comply with the laws in force in our country and also to pass a practical exam. What is true in the information that aimed at unfair competition in the transport of goods arrived from Morocco?
The complaints. “His trucks have no speed limit” and “the Civil Guard turns a blind eye.” They are some of the phrases that can be read in the articles that point to an alleged unfair competition from Morocco. Specifically, that of Moroccan truckers who now have more facilities to operate in Spain.
As read in media such as The debatesome transport associations emphasize that we are facing an illegality because their trucks have no speed or tachograph limit. In the article they complain that they do have to comply with the law but that “neither the DGT nor the Civil Guard stop them.” And that when this happens they do not pay their infractions because they declare themselves insolvent.
Those complaints have also Shared some carriers that use their social networks to show their day to day and explain how their work works.
Can a Moroccan truck driver work in Spain? Yes. And “there is no change since 2004,” they assure us from the DGT. “No, we are not giving away carnés from truck drivers to Moroccans,” they assure us from traffic and refer to the current regulations since 2004 When both countries signed an agreement for the partial validation of the driver’s bonds between the two countries.
Then it was confirmed that those who had a current driving license in Morocco could drive in Spain. In the case of licenses C, C+E, D and D+e, a theoretical test and another practice were forced. Since 2024, that has changed and the proof is exclusively practical since “taking into account that said test is not required as a general requirement in all of the driving permits arrange How to read in the text that reflects the normative change.
What’s new? Little thing, really. What has been done has been slightly flexible the regulations already in force but, as we say, those who aspire to work as truck drivers in Spain continue to have a practical test. The normative change also reflected the possibility of doing the online process instead of going to a traffic office.
Once the permission is validated after the practical test on open road, the worker has to Get the Professional Aptitude Certificate (CAP).
Are there more countries in this situation? Yes, many more. You can read the complete list on this DGT link. In it you can verify how citizens of some countries have to pass practical evidence, such as Moroccans or Hondurans. Guatemalans or Filipinos have to pass an additional specific exam.
However, there are countries outside the European Union, such as Japan, the United Kingdom or New Zealand that have a Blanca Carta for their workers to receive an automatic validation of the driving license, whether individual or professional individuals. They do not have to pass theoretical or practical evidence.
Is it true that their trucks have no tachograph? Yes, it’s true. The breaks are regulated in this case by the Circular instruction 01/2016 on tachograph and driving and rest times. It is specified in the document that will be applied “regardless of the country where the vehicle is enrolled.”
How do you control then? Moroccan drivers are obliged to demonstrate that they have rested, at least 9 hours in the 24 hours prior to their entry into Spain, as specified in the International Road Transport Agreement and Merchandise Signed on October 3, 2012 between Morocco and Spain. If they cannot demonstrate this rest, they will have to do it when the border is overcome.
Is it true that your trucks have no speed limiter? Yes, it’s true. That does not mean that they can happily exceed speed limits. In this case, the Civil Guard is responsible for monitoring said vehicles and economically punish offenders as it happens, for example, with any driver who skip traffic regulations.
Is Spain the only country that has an agreement with Morocco? No, although alone Italy has a bilateral agreement with Morocco that allows the licenses to be redeemed to Moroccan truckers. Of course, in this case they do not have the obligation to overcome exams of any kind, or practical or theoretical.
Other countries do allow these people to maintain a professional license but force to overcome various tests or temporary licenses are issued after a few months.
Photo | Caleb Ruiter and AFKER MOIZ
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