What it is and who it applies to
DeCA is the electronic version of the administrative control document for domestic transport in Spain — what the industry usually calls the “hoja de ruta”, although in law that name belongs to the control document for coach services. It is based on Order FOM/2861/2012 on the control document (BOE-A-2013-154), Law 9/2025 on Sustainable Mobility (BOE-A-2025-24545) and the Resolution of 5 June 2026 of the Directorate-General for Road and Rail Transport (BOE-A-2026-12784), which sets its technical requirements. It has been mandatory since 5 October 2026, ten months after Law 9/2025 entered into force. It applies to domestic road haulage that requires a control document.
How it differs from the eCMR
DeCA covers domestic transport in Spain and is mandatory; the eCMR is the electronic consignment note for international transport (CMR Convention) and its use is voluntary. The two complement each other: the same company may need DeCA for its domestic jobs and the eCMR for its international ones.
How to comply
Complying with DeCA means generating the control document in electronic format from the management system, with the details of the job (shipper, haulier, goods, origin and destination), and having it available at a roadside check. An ERP/TMS that issues this documentation straight from the order avoids re-entering data and reduces errors.
Official sources
- Law 9/2025 of 3 December on Sustainable Mobility (BOE-A-2025-24545). www.boe.es
- Resolution of 5 June 2026 of the Directorate-General for Road and Rail Transport (BOE-A-2026-12784). www.boe.es
- Order FOM/2861/2012 of 13 December on the administrative control document (BOE-A-2013-154). www.boe.es
- Spanish Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility — Documento electrónico de Control Administrativo (DeCA). www.transportes.gob.es