What it is
Spain’s roadworthiness test. In the Valencian Community it is run by the public operator SITVAL.
This guide is part of our Moving to Jávea section, covering the practical admin you’ll deal with once you’re driving locally. For a wider overview of areas and everyday life across the town, see our main property in Jávea hub.
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
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, bring the right documents, do a quick precheck, and keep proof of your appointment if your expiry date is close. Ondara is the nearest station for most Jávea residents, but widening the search radius is often the fastest solution.
See also: Getting Around Jávea • Set Up Utilities in Jávea • Long-Term Renting in Jávea
