ITV in Spain, the roadworthiness test: how often, how validity is counted and what the results mean
Reviewed on 11 October 2026 · sources: BOE (Real Decreto 920/2017, Ley de Tráfico)
Short answer. The ITV (inspección técnica de vehículos) is Spain's periodic roadworthiness test, the equivalent of the MOT in the UK. A car has its first ITV when it is four years old, then every two years, and every year from ten years. Motorcycles also go at four years and then every two; mopeds go at three. The frequencies are in article 6 of Royal Decree 920/2017, which regulates the vehicle inspection.
How often, by vehicle
The age of a vehicle counts from its first registration or entry into service in the DGT vehicle register. Some rows of the table in article 6.1:
| Vehicle | Exempt until | Then |
|---|---|---|
| Car (category M1, up to eight seats plus the driver) | 4 years | Every 2 years; every year once over 10 |
| Moped, two wheels (L1e) | 3 years | Every 2 years |
| Motorcycle and other L vehicles | 4 years | Every 2 years |
| Van or light lorry (N1, up to 3.5 t) | 2 years | 2 to 6 years: every 2; 6 to 10: yearly; over 10: every 6 months |
| Lorry over 3.5 t | Yearly up to 10 years | Every 6 months over 10 |
| Bus (M2, M3) | Yearly up to 5 years | Every 6 months over 5 |
| Towed caravan (O2) | 6 years | Every 2 years |
The table does not apply in the same way to driving-school vehicles, taxis, ambulances and school transport, which have their own frequencies in the same article.
How validity is counted
A test is valid for the frequency that applies, counted from the date of the favourable result. There is a rule that helps you: if you pass in the 30 calendar days before the old one expires, the new period counts from the expiry date of the old one and not from the day you went (art. 6.5). If you go earlier than that, you lose the unused days.
If you register in Spain a car that has an ITV certificate from another EU state, the Spanish rules recognise it for periodic inspections, as long as it is valid within the frequencies set by this decree (art. 12.3).
A worked example: the four-year-old car
A car is first registered on 15 March of year 0.
- It turns four on 15 March of year 4, the date of its first ITV.
- With a favourable result, the next is due two years later, on 15 March of year 6.
- If you pass it on 20 February of year 6, within 30 days of expiry, the new two years count from 15 March of year 6.
- If you pass it on 1 January of year 6, about 70 days early, the validity counts from 1 January and you lose those days.
At ten years the car moves to a yearly ITV.
The three results
Defects are graded minor, serious and very serious (art. 9), and that decides the result:
| Worst defect | Result | What you can do |
|---|---|---|
| None, or only minor | Favourable (favorable) | You can drive; minor defects must be repaired within two months |
| Serious | Unfavourable (desfavorable) | You may drive only to a garage or back to a new inspection, within two months |
| Very serious | Negative (negativa) | You may not drive; the vehicle must be moved by outside means |
A second inspection after the allowed period means a full inspection (art. 11). Proof of compulsory insurance is a precondition of any inspection (art. 8.3). After a favourable result you must fix the V-19 sticker, which is the proof of inspection (art. 12).
The trap. "Unfavourable" does not mean "I cannot move the car": with serious defects you may still drive to the garage or back to the inspection. What bans driving altogether is the negative result, with very serious defects.
If it expires
Driving a vehicle that does not meet the technical conditions, and the offences about the rules on vehicle inspection, are serious offences under article 76.o of the Ley de Tráfico, with a 200 euro fine (art. 80.1). In those cases the officer gives the owner 10 days to present the vehicle for inspection, and if that is not shown, the traffic office starts the procedure to deregister the vehicle (art. 6.9).
Keep going
- The topic in the syllabus: vehicle requirements, registration, ITV and insurance.
- Related rules: car lights and child car seats.
- Practise: today's free 30-question DGT exam, available in English.
Reviewed against the consolidated BOE text on 11 October 2026. DrivingLingo is independent and is not endorsed by the DGT. This page is not legal advice.