What it is
Spain’s roadworthiness test. In the Valencian Community it is run by the public operator SITVAL.
Where locals go
- Ondara station. Closest for Jávea.
- Benidorm or other Alicante stations if Ondara is full.
- Gandia if you are willing to go north. Expect longer waits in summer.
- Teulada runs occasional mobile days for mopeds or agricultural vehicles. Announced by the town hall.
Booking when slots are scarce
- Use the SITVAL booking site or the free phone line.
- Check several times per day. Cancellations release new times.
- Search a wider radius. Grab any workable slot first, then try to improve it later.
- Avoid turning up without an appointment unless you can spare half a day in wait time.
- You can pass up to 30 days early and keep the same renewal date.
If expiry is close
- Do not drive around with an expired ITV. Fines are high and police can immobilise the car.
- Book the first slot you can. Drive straight to the station with proof of appointment. Carry the proof of booking with your usual docs.
- If you fail as “desfavorable” you can only drive to a workshop and back to ITV for recheck.
- A “negativa” means the car moves on a recovery vehicle/grua. You will need alternative transport to get home.
Documents and kit to bring
- Driving licence.
- Permiso de circulación.
- Tarjeta ITV or ficha técnica.
- Insurance details.
- Payment card.
- High-visibility vest and warning triangles or an approved V16 light (try middle at Lidl, they have them now).
How often you go
- Cars. No test for the first 4 years. Every 2 years until the car turns 10. Every year after 10.
- Motorcycles. No test for the first 4 years. Every 2 years after that.
Two-minute precheck
- Lights. Headlights, indicators, brake lights, plate lights, hazards.
- Tyres. Tread, no cracks, correct pressures.
- Wipers and washers. Working jets.
- Horn. Loud and instant.
- Seatbelts. Latch and retract.
- Dashboard. No engine or airbag warnings.
- Plates and VIN. Clean and readable.
On the day
- Arrive a few minutes early.
- Follow staff instructions. Lights, brakes and emissions are where the time takes.
- Keep last year’s report in the glovebox. It speeds up the process.
If you fail
- Minor faults. You get a period to fix them. Recheck is quick.
- Desfavorable. Get it fixed and go back.
- Negativa. No driving. Arrange a tow/grua.
- Fix fast. Driving around with unfixed issues risks bigger fines and possible insurance defaults.
Local tips that help
- Early morning slots at Ondara are more reliable.
- Avoid last slots on Fridays in July and August.
- If you drive coastal tracks or campo roads, give it a good old wash before inspection.
- Save reminders for next year the moment you pass. Perhaps think about booking for next year whilst there.
Why it has been hard to book
- The network is public again. Demand rose faster than capacity.
- New hires and stations are coming, but availability moves week by week.
- Treat the 30-day early window as your buffer.
That’s it. Book early, cast a wider net if needed, do the two-minute precheck, and keep proof of any appointment with you in your glovebox if your date is close. The police/guardia are usually more lenient if you get stopped.
Check out your local FB groups, there’s often some good and current advice on there.
