When does a new car have its first ITV in Spain?

M1 cars are exempt from periodic inspection up to 4 years of age, counted from first registration or entry into service (Article 6.1 of Royal Decree 920/2017).

How often does a car over 10 years old need an ITV?

Every year. From 4 to 10 years the interval is two years, and from 10 years it is yearly (Article 6.1).

Do I lose time by going before the expiry date?

Not if you go within the 30 calendar days before expiry: the new period is counted from the previous expiry date (Article 6.5).

What happens if I drive with an expired ITV?

Breaches of the rules on technical inspection of vehicles are serious offences (Article 76(o) of the Road Traffic Law). Officers also give 10 days to have the inspection done and, if this is not proven, the vehicle's ex officio deregistration is started (Article 6.9 of Royal Decree 920/2017).

ES · Expiry & renewal tracking

Keep company car ITV inspections from expiring

In Spain, M1 passenger cars need no periodic ITV up to 4 years of age, then every two years from 4 to 10 years and yearly from 10 years (Article 6.1 of Royal Decree 920/2017). The keeper or long-term lessee is responsible; with an expired ITV, officers give 10 days to pass it before deregistration begins.

Vehicles registered in Spain must pass a technical inspection at an ITV station to use public roads, and the registered keeper or long-term lessee must present them (Article 4.1 and 4.2 of Royal Decree 920/2017). For passenger cars, that is category M1 vehicles (carrying people, with no more than eight seats besides the driver), the periodic inspection is not required up to 4 years of age, is due every two years from 4 to 10 years and every year from 10 years (Article 6.1). Age is counted from the first registration or entry into service recorded in the Vehicle Register of the Central Traffic Headquarters.

Validity is calculated by adding the interval to the date of the favourable inspection. If the inspection takes place within the 30 calendar days before the previous one expires, the interval is added to that expiry date, so bringing it forward by up to 30 days loses no time (Article 6.5). Proof of compulsory insurance is required before any inspection (Article 8.3).

The result is favourable if there are no defects or only minor ones, unfavourable if there is a major defect, and negative if there is a dangerous one (Article 9.4). Minor defects must be repaired within two months at most. With a major defect the vehicle may only go to the workshop and return to the station within two months; with a dangerous defect it may not be driven and must be moved by other means (Article 11). After a favourable inspection the V-19 sticker is displayed (Article 12.1).

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At a glance

M1 cars up to 4 years	No periodic ITV required (Article 6.1)
M1 cars over 4 and up to 10 years	Every two years (Article 6.1)
M1 cars over 10 years	Yearly (Article 6.1)
Taxis, ambulances and school transport (M1)	Yearly up to 5 years; every six months after (Article 6.1)
Age	From first registration or entry into service in the Vehicle Register (Article 6.1)
Early inspection	Up to 30 days before expiry without losing time (Article 6.5)
Responsible	Registered keeper or long-term lessee (Article 4.2)

Driving-school cars have their own interval: exempt up to two years, yearly from two to five years and every six months after that (Article 6.1). Mixed-use vehicles follow the interval of the N category they fall under (Article 6.3).

Who is responsible?

The registered keeper or long-term lessee must present the vehicle for the inspections that apply to it (Article 4.2 of Royal Decree 920/2017). They may choose any ITV station, both for the first inspection and for re-inspections after repairs (Article 11.8). If the vehicle changes use or service and a stricter interval applies, for example when it becomes a taxi or a driving-school car, it must be inspected and the new date noted on the ITV card (Article 6.7.d). Officers check ITV validity in the Vehicle Register or against the inspection report or ITV card (Article 12.2); the keeper can look up the ITV expiry of their vehicles in miDGT.

If the deadline passes

If the inspection duty is not met, in addition to any report for the offence, officers give the keeper or long-term lessee 10 days to have the vehicle inspected; if this is not proven, the Traffic Headquarters starts the procedure to deregister the vehicle ex officio (Article 6.9 of Royal Decree 920/2017). Breaches of the rules on technical inspection of vehicles are serious offences under Article 76(o) of the consolidated Road Traffic Law (Real Decreto Legislativo 6/2015). If the vehicle is presented for re-inspection after the repair deadline, a full inspection is carried out (Article 11.4).

Three age bands, three rhythms

A new car has its first ITV when it turns 4; the date then repeats every two years until 10 years of age, and every year after that (Article 6.1). In a fleet of cars of different ages, record for each vehicle the expiry date shown on the inspection report and on the V-19 sticker, which states the date of the next inspection (Annex XI of the General Vehicle Regulations, sign V-19).

Tracking it with ExpirySuite

Add each car with its ITV expiry date; for new cars, the date it turns 4. When a car passes 10 years, record the new yearly date.
Email reminders arrive 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before and on the day itself. The 30-day reminder matches the window in which the ITV can be brought forward without losing time.
Assign a responsible person, such as the fleet manager; emails arrive in each recipient's language.
If a date passes, managers get further reminders 3, 7 and 14 days later.

Frequently asked questions

When does a new car have its first ITV in Spain?: M1 cars are exempt from periodic inspection up to 4 years of age, counted from first registration or entry into service (Article 6.1 of Royal Decree 920/2017).
How often does a car over 10 years old need an ITV?: Every year. From 4 to 10 years the interval is two years, and from 10 years it is yearly (Article 6.1).
Do I lose time by going before the expiry date?: Not if you go within the 30 calendar days before expiry: the new period is counted from the previous expiry date (Article 6.5).
What happens if I drive with an expired ITV?: Breaches of the rules on technical inspection of vehicles are serious offences (Article 76(o) of the Road Traffic Law). Officers also give 10 days to have the inspection done and, if this is not proven, the vehicle's ex officio deregistration is started (Article 6.9 of Royal Decree 920/2017).

Sources

Last checked: Oct 10, 2026 · This page summarises official sources for general information and is not legal advice. Check the linked sources for current rules and fees.

Made for car roadworthiness test (ITV) (Spain)

A ready template for car roadworthiness test (ITV) (Spain) with sensible validity defaults, so you enter less and track more.

Reminders on time

Email alerts at 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before each car roadworthiness test (ITV) (Spain) expires, plus overdue escalation to managers.

Assign an owner

Give each car roadworthiness test (ITV) (Spain) an owner and let employees update their own via a secure link — no login needed.