The licence does not lapse upon the death of its holder: transport regulations provide for transfer mortis causa, and the heirs may retain the licence — to operate it, let it out or sell it. However, it is an administrative asset subject to time limits, and a late-processed inheritance can turn an asset into an expired licence.
What the family must be clear about from the outset:
- The succession must be processed with the transport authority. The transfer by inheritance must be notified and substantiated — by means of a will or declaration of heirs, or the allocation of the estate — within the time limits set out in the applicable regulations; these are not indefinite, so it is advisable to seek information immediately and confirm the specific deadlines for your region with professional advice.
- The licence must continue to meet the requirements in the meantime: valid insurance, the vehicle registered to the holder, and above all the annual roadworthiness test — the periodic inspection does not wait for the estate to be distributed, and losing it means losing the asset (what happens if the deadline is missed).
- Transfer upon death is, furthermore, the classic exception to the non-transferability periods for new licences: if the deceased’s licence was still within its grace period, the inheritance process has allowed it to be transferred without the period expiring — subject to proof, as with everything (details).
- Tax considerations are a separate matter: the estate settles Inheritance Tax in accordance with the relevant autonomous community, and any subsequent sale will be taxed on the value of the inherited asset. It is worth seeking tax advice before deciding what to do with the asset.
And what is the best course of action regarding the inherited licence? With the facts at hand, the three options compare favourably: to operate it (if there is someone to run it), to let it out — generating rental income of €1,500–2,200 per month depending on the region in the current market, the model here — or sell it whilst the market is favourable: the index for your province and a free valuation will give you the figure in minutes. The only thing we do not recommend is the default option for so many inheritances: leaving it in a drawer whilst the licence expires.
LAST REVIEWED · Jul 19, 2026 — VTC360 guide: general criteria, not advice for your specific case.