Special Transport Operating Card: Decree 1079, Costs and Renewal

Many people buy a van or a campero thinking that with the property card and the SOAT they can already go out and work for companies, schools, or tour groups. And that's where the problems start: a checkpoint, an officer asks for the FUEC, and the vehicle ends up in the impound yard. The document almost everyone underestimates is the operation card.

Quick answer: the operation card is the single permit that authorizes a vehicle to provide special public road transport service, under the responsibility of a licensed company. It lasts two years, and the company processes it, not the owner on their own.

What the operation card is (and how it differs from the property card)

The property card says the vehicle is yours. The operation card says that this vehicle, and no other, may operate in special public service with a specific company. According to Decree 1079 of 2015, it is a non-transferable document exclusive to the vehicle and the company it is linked to.

This has a practical consequence that many owners discover too late: having a white plate does not make you an independent transporter. A special service vehicle can only legally operate under the cover of a licensed company registered with the Ministry of Transport, which answers to the authorities for your vehicle. That relationship is formalized in a fleet affiliation contract.

And pay attention to the service: special transport is provided under a prior contract for specific groups (school, corporate, tourism, health). It is not charging individual fares like a taxi or a collective bus, and it can't be arranged through an app or a WhatsApp agreement without a FUEC.

Who processes it: the company, not you

This is the point that causes the most confusion. The issuance and renewal are filed with the Ministry of Transport, or its territorial office, by the licensed company with available transport capacity. As an owner, you cannot go to a counter and request it in a personal capacity.

That leaves you in a position of dependence, which is why it's worth choosing the company carefully. Before signing any fleet affiliation contract:

• Verify on the Ministry of Transport website that the company is licensed for special service.
• Ask about its transport capacity: without available quota, there is no card for your vehicle.
• Be wary of anyone who charges an "affiliation" or a "quota" without a clear contract, or of intermediaries offering "ready" cards. Fictitious companies and forged documents are circulating.
• Keep a copy of everything you sign and insist that they give you the card; according to industry guides, the company should not keep it.

If you also drive yourself and want to understand the difference with the private driver service, check out this guide on how to offer chosen driver service: it is a different figure, with different rules.

Requirements to issue or renew the card

The company files the application, but you are the one who has to keep your part up to date. These are the supporting documents required under Decree 1079 of 2015 and the official compilation:

The bimonthly preventive inspection is the one most often forgotten. It is a check at an authorized workshop or diagnostic center every two months, in addition to the annual technical-mechanical inspection. If you don't have the supporting documents, your renewal can fall through over a detail you should have resolved months earlier.

There is also a service life limit: 20 years counted from December 31 of the vehicle's model year, with special extension rules for those affected by the health emergency (Decree 478 of 2021). Before buying or selling a used special service van, do that math. And check that it has no lien: here we explain the lien removal in the RUNT.

How much it costs: official fees and company charges

Let's be honest here: there is no single national figure. The processing fees before the Ministry's territorial office and the RUNT charges change according to the annual resolution in force. As an indicative reference, they usually range between $80,000 and $160,000 COP for the official administrative fee. Always ask for the official breakdown and verify the current figure at mintransporte.gov.co and runt.gov.co.

What really weighs on your wallet is the rest:

• Contractual and extra-contractual insurance policies, often collective.
• The company's monthly administration fee.
• Preventive inspections every two months.
• Social security records for the drivers.

These costs depend on the agreement with each company, so compare at least two before signing. In special transport, the service rate is freely agreed between the parties, but the company must report it to the authorities; there is no official table that tells you how much to charge.

The FUEC: without it, the card alone won't save you

The Single Contract Extract Format (FUEC) is issued by the company for each service, according to Resolution 6652 of 2019, and must include the number of the valid operation card. In other words, the two documents are tied together: an expired card means an invalid FUEC.

If you are stopped on the road without a valid operation card or the corresponding FUEC, the usual outcome is immobilization of the vehicle and administrative sanctions under Law 336 of 1996 and the National Traffic Code. That day in the impound yard, plus the towing and the lost service, usually costs more than any procedure. If you also have pending traffic tickets, check how to challenge photo fines with improper notification before other procedures get blocked.

Step by step to renew without getting stuck

1. Check the expiry date as soon as you receive the card: it lasts two years, subject to the validity of the affiliation contract and the company's license.
2. Ask the company to start the application at least 60 calendar days in advance. That way you avoid gaps without legal circulation.
3. Renew SOAT and technical-mechanical inspection with time to spare, and confirm they appear in the RUNT.
4. Gather the evidence of bimonthly inspections and the drivers' social security records.
5. Verify the RCC and RCE policies and request a copy.
6. Get the filing receipt and the new card in your hand.

Note: Decree 1079 has undergone recent modifications, including some on special service. Before filing, confirm with your company and the Ministry which version of the requirements applies today.

Selling or transferring a special service van or campero

There are two scenarios here. In the first, you sell only the vehicle: it is disconnected from the company, and the buyer will have to process their own affiliation and card with a company that has capacity. In the second, the company agrees to continue the affiliation with the new owner; this is agreed in writing and governed by Decree 1079 and what the parties have agreed, not by a standard commission percentage.

What helps most in selling is transparency: state whether the vehicle is sold with or without affiliation, model year (due to the 20-year rule), the card's expiry date, the status of the SOAT, technical-mechanical inspection and inspections, and whether it has a lien. Serious buyers ask about all of that, and the ones who don't ask are the ones who cause problems later.

According to active listings on Colombia Move (November 2026), the cars category has 5 active listings, 4 of them recent: there is little visible supply and room for a well-described work van to stand out.

Frequently asked questions

❓ How long does the operation card of a special service vehicle last?

It lasts two years at most, as long as the affiliation contract and the company's license remain valid. It also cannot exceed the vehicle's service life, which is 20 years from the model year. (verify with the official source)

❓ Can I process the operation card myself as the owner?

No. The issuance and renewal are filed by the licensed transport company to which your vehicle is affiliated, using its transport capacity. As the owner, you only provide the supporting documents: SOAT, technical-mechanical inspection, policies, and driver documents. (verify with the official source)

❓ What happens if the card expires and I keep driving?

The vehicle loses coverage to operate and the FUEC lose validity. If you are stopped, the usual outcome is a traffic ticket and immobilization, plus administrative sanctions under Law 336 of 1996. Renew 60 days in advance to avoid this. (verify with the official source)

❓ How much do the processing fees for the operation card cost?

The official fees indicatively range between $80,000 and $160,000 COP, depending on the annual resolution and the territorial office. Insurance and the company's administration fees are added to that, and they vary by agreement. (verify with the official source)

❓ What is the bimonthly preventive inspection and why is it mandatory?

It is a technical check every two months at an authorized workshop or center that certifies the vehicle's mechanical and safety condition. It is required in addition to the annual technical-mechanical inspection to maintain operation and renew the card. (verify with the official source)

❓ How do I sell my special service van safely and avoid scams?

Verify that the buyer and the company are real, confirm the vehicle's status in the RUNT, and formalize in writing any disaffiliation or transfer. Don't hand over documentation until payment is confirmed, and be wary of intermediaries who promise "ready" cards or quotas. (verify with the official source)

❓ Where can I list my special transport vehicle for sale?

You can list it on Colombia Move, in the cars category within the vehicles section. State in the listing whether it is sold with or without affiliation to a company, model year, real photos, and direct contact details.