Lorraine Williamson
Passing the ITV in Spain does not always mean drivers are fully in the clear. One small detail can still lead to a fine: the inspection sticker.
The ITV sticker fine in Spain rule often catches out residents and second-home owners who have successfully passed the vehicle inspection but forget to display the valid sticker on the windscreen. The sticker, officially known as the V-19 distintivo de inspección técnica periódica, shows that the vehicle has passed its periodic roadworthiness test and indicates when the next inspection is due.
For many drivers, it feels like a minor formality. Under Spanish vehicle regulations, however, displaying the sticker correctly is part of the inspection system.
What readers need to know
After a vehicle passes the ITV, the valid sticker must be displayed visibly.
For cars and other vehicles with a windscreen, Spain’s General Vehicle Regulations state that the V-19 sticker must be placed on the upper right-hand corner of the windscreen, on the inside. For vehicles without a windscreen, it must be placed somewhere clearly visible.
The sticker allows police and traffic officers to see quickly whether a vehicle appears to have a current ITV. It does not replace the official ITV records, but it remains a legal requirement.
How much is the fine?
Spanish motoring sources commonly report an €80 fine for failing to display the ITV sticker after passing the inspection. Drivers who pay promptly may be able to benefit from the usual 50% early-payment reduction, lowering the amount to €40.
There are no licence points attached to this minor offence. Even so, it is an avoidable penalty.
The fine is separate from the much more serious problem of driving without a valid ITV. Driving with an expired or unfavourable ITV can lead to higher sanctions and may also create problems with insurance or vehicle use.
Where should the ITV sticker go?
For most passenger cars, the sticker belongs in the top right corner of the windscreen, viewed from inside the vehicle.
That position matters. Putting it in the wrong place can make it harder for officers to check and may also interfere with visibility if drivers start collecting several old stickers on the glass.
Drivers should remove the old ITV sticker before applying the new one. A single valid sticker is enough.
Do not leave old stickers on the windscreen
Some drivers keep several old ITV stickers on the windscreen as a kind of record. It may look harmless, but it is not a good idea.
If stickers or other objects reduce the driver’s field of vision, police can treat it as a visibility problem. Spanish media have reported possible fines of around €200 where accumulated stickers that obstruct the windscreen.
The simplest habit is also the safest: remove the expired sticker and display only the current one.
What is the ITV?
The ITV, or Inspección Técnica de Vehículos, is Spain’s mandatory roadworthiness inspection.
It is similar in purpose to the MOT in the UK. Inspectors check whether the vehicle meets safety and environmental requirements. The test is carried out at official ITV stations across Spain.
Spain’s public administration guidance states that ordinary passenger cars usually have their first ITV four years after first registration. From four to ten years old, they are inspected every two years. Once they are over ten years old, the test becomes annual.
How often do cars need an ITV in Spain?
For most private passenger cars, the timetable is straightforward.
New cars do not normally need an ITV during the first four years. Between four and ten years old, the inspection is every two years. After ten years, it is yearly.
Other vehicles follow different timetables. Mopeds, motorcycles, buses, light goods vehicles and special-use vehicles may have different inspection frequencies. Anyone unsure should check the vehicle category rather than assume the car timetable applies.
What happens after passing?
When a vehicle passes the ITV, the station gives the driver the inspection report and the corresponding sticker.
The report should be kept with the vehicle documents. The sticker should be placed on the windscreen straight away, before the driver forgets.
The V-19 sticker shows the expiry month and year of the inspection. Police can also check ITV status electronically, but the physical sticker remains part of the visible control system.
What if the sticker is lost or damaged?
Drivers who lose or damage the sticker should contact the ITV station where the inspection was carried out.
In many cases, a duplicate can be requested, although the station may ask for identification, the vehicle documents and proof of the passed inspection.
It is better to deal with a missing sticker quickly rather than wait until a roadside check.
Watch out when buying a used car
The ITV sticker is also useful when buying a second-hand vehicle in Spain.
A current sticker may suggest the vehicle has passed its latest inspection, but buyers should still check the paperwork and DGT records. The sticker alone is not enough proof that everything is in order.
Anyone buying a used car should confirm the ITV expiry date, review the inspection report where possible and check whether there are any pending issues with the vehicle.
ITV rules
A small sticker with real consequences
The ITV sticker is easy to overlook, especially when the main concern is getting the car through the inspection.
Yet Spanish rules are clear. If the vehicle has a windscreen, the valid V-19 sticker must be visible in the correct place.
For drivers in Spain, the safest approach is simple: pass the ITV, keep the paperwork, remove the old sticker and place the new one on the windscreen before driving away.