In Spain, as in Germany, the law requires motor vehicles to undergo periodic roadworthiness and emissions inspections. In Spain, this vehicle inspection is known as the ITV (Inspección Técnica de Vehículos) and may only be carried out at authorised ITV inspection stations, which vehicle owners are free to choose.

In Spain, both the roadworthiness inspection and the emissions test are carried out exclusively by authorised Spanish ITV stations. Inspections offered by other establishments do not replace the mandatory ITV inspection.

How often must vehicles undergo an ITV inspection?

How often your vehicle must undergo an ITV inspection depends on the type of vehicle and the number of years that have passed since its first registration. Below you will find information regarding cars, motorcycles and caravans. Specific information on other types of vehicles can be found on the website of your ITV station. Example:

Passenger cars (capacity of up to 9 persons), including motorhomes:

0 to 4 years = exempt - 4 to 10 years = every 2 years - over 10 years = annually

Motorcycles, three-wheeled vehicles and quad bikes

0 to 4 years = exempt - over 4 years = every 2 years

Mopeds

0 to 3 years = exempt from ITV

over 4 years = ITV every two years

Caravans up to 750 kg

up to 6 years = exempt - over 6 years = every 2 years.

Depending on the Autonomous Community (Comunidad Autónoma) in which the vehicle owner resides, vehicles used for transport, special-purpose vehicles and historic vehicles may be required to undergo inspections as frequently as every six months.

Which ITV station is responsible for your vehicle?

In Spain, you are generally free to choose the ITV station you wish to use. If, for example, you reside in Madrid, you may choose to have your vehicle inspected at an ITV station in Andalusia or Valencia, and a successfully completed inspection will be valid throughout Spain. However, once you have chosen an ITV station and your vehicle fails the inspection, the subsequent reinspection must be carried out at the same station and you cannot choose a different station for this purpose. Information on the locations of the various ITV stations can be found, among other places, on the DGT website.

How do you make an appointment?

Once you have selected an ITV inspection station, you can make an appointment online via the website www.itvcita.com.

You will first be asked to provide the vehicle registration number (matrícula). Alternatively, you can enter the date of the vehicle's first registration or the last six digits of the vehicle identification number (VIN).

Appointments must be made by the vehicle owner or by a person expressly authorised by the owner in writing. VEIASA may require such written authorisation to be submitted prior to the appointment; otherwise, it is not necessary to present it upon arrival at the inspection station.

Which documents should you bring to the ITV inspection?

• Passport or identity card
• Driving licence
• N.I.E. (Número de Identidad de Extranjero)
• Vehicle technical documentation (Ficha técnica)
• ITV card (Tarjeta de ITV)
• Vehicle registration certificate (Permiso de circulación)
• Proof of insurance

At some locations, it may be sufficient to bring only the vehicle's technical documentation and registration certificate. Nevertheless, it is advisable to bring all of the documents listed above whenever possible.

Fees:

ITV fees generally depend on the vehicle category and are determined by the individual Autonomous Communities (Comunidades Autónomas). These are generally maximum prices, meaning that, within the framework of free competition, the final price at some ITV stations may be lower than at others. In any event, the maximum prices vary considerably between the different Autonomous Communities. In 2015, the average price for the roadworthiness and emissions inspection of a diesel passenger car was €38.80, while the same service cost €53.00 in Madrid and €29.30 in Extremadura. In each Autonomous Community, an administrative fee (DGT) of approximately €4.00 must also be added to the final price.

You can find the exact prices applicable in your Autonomous Community on the respective websites of the Autonomous Communities or via the following -link-.

How is the inspection paid for?

-In cash at any UNICAJA bank branch. To do so, after confirming your selected appointment, choose the option “Payment of the ITV by payment slip”.

-By bank card, which can be used to pay directly at the ITV inspection station.

-Online by entering your bank card details directly. To do so, select the option “Pagar la ITV con tarjeta”.

Do you receive an ITV sticker in Spain?

If the vehicle successfully passes the inspection, you will receive a certificate that should be kept in the vehicle, as well as a sticker for the windscreen indicating the year and month in which the next ITV inspection is due.

Consequences of driving without a valid ITV

If you are caught driving with an expired ITV inspection, you can generally expect a fine of €200.00. If your vehicle was assessed as having defects during the inspection, you generally have up to 2 months to rectify the defects and repeat the inspection. If you drive a vehicle that has been declared unroadworthy due to serious defects, the fine may increase to as much as €500.00.

In addition to the fine, if the police identify serious defects, they may immobilise your vehicle, in which case towing costs may also be incurred.

The potentially serious consequences for your insurance coverage should also not be overlooked. If you are involved in an accident with a vehicle that is not roadworthy, your insurance company may seek to recover the resulting costs from you.

Author:

Nicole Gottschling
Management & Non-Resident
info@sspartners.es
Tel: (+34) 951 12 13 06
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