The ITV in the Canary Islands: when it is due, what to bring and how to prepare
By MotorCanarias team Last reviewed: 22 October 2026 5 min read
In short
The ITV is Spain's roadworthiness test, similar to the UK MOT. As a general rule, a private car is exempt for its first 4 years, tested every 2 years from 4 to 10 years old and every year after that. In the Canaries you book with a station authorised by the Gobierno de Canarias and bring the permiso de circulación and ficha técnica.
What the ITV is and how often it is due
The Inspección Técnica de Vehículos (ITV) is a compulsory inspection that checks the car is safe and meets emissions requirements. If you are used to the UK MOT, the idea is the same. The result is recorded on the ficha técnica (the vehicle's technical card) and, if the car passes, you get a sticker for the windscreen.
For private passenger cars, the general rule in Spain is:
| Age of the car | How often |
|---|---|
| Up to 4 years | Exempt |
| 4 to 10 years | Every 2 years |
| Over 10 years | Every year |
Other vehicles (taxis, hire cars, vans, motorhomes, motorbikes) follow different rules. Note that the first test is counted from the date of first registration, which for an imported car may be earlier than its Spanish registration. The next due date is shown on the ficha técnica and on the sticker; if in doubt, ask the station or check with the DGT.
How to take the ITV, step by step
- Check the expiry date on your ficha técnica or windscreen sticker.
- Choose an ITV station authorised by the Gobierno de Canarias on your island. You can use any authorised station, not just the one in your town.
- Book directly with the station, online or by phone. On islands with fewer stations, or at busy times of year, book well ahead.
- Check the car a few days beforehand using the list of common failure points below.
- Arrive with the permiso de circulación, the ficha técnica and your ID.
- Pay the fee at the station and follow the inspector's instructions during the test.
- Collect the inspection report and, if the car passes, put the new sticker on the windscreen.
- If faults are found, have them repaired and go back to the station within the period shown on the report.
What to bring
- Permiso de circulación: the vehicle registration certificate.
- Ficha técnica (also called the tarjeta ITV), the original. If you have lost it, ask the station how to get a duplicate before your appointment.
- ID for whoever takes the car in (it does not have to be the registered owner). Foreign residents can use their passport or residence document.
- If the car has been modified (tow bar, suspension, wheels or tyres not listed on the ficha técnica, LPG conversion), the paperwork showing the modification has been approved.
Some stations may also ask for proof of valid insurance. Third-party insurance is compulsory in Spain, so have your policy details to hand.
Common failure points and how to prepare
Many failures come down to things you or a garage can check before the appointment:
- Lights: blown bulbs, cloudy or badly aimed headlights, indicators and the number plate light.
- Tyres: tread depth, cuts or bulges, and sizes that match the ficha técnica.
- Brakes: imbalance between wheels, a weak handbrake, worn discs or pads.
- Emissions: a poorly running engine or a lit engine warning light can mean failing the emissions test.
- Dashboard warning lights: airbag, ABS or engine lights usually count as faults.
- Windscreen and wipers: cracks in the driver's field of view, worn blades, empty washer bottle.
- Play and leaks: steering, ball joints, shock absorbers, oil or fluid leaks.
- Bodywork and underside: salty coastal air speeds up corrosion, so check the underbody and exhaust.
If you already know about a fault, fixing it first saves a second visit.
Results: favourable, unfavourable and negative
- Favorable (pass): the car passes. Minor faults may be noted that you should fix, but you get the sticker and can keep driving.
- Desfavorable (fail): serious faults were found. You must repair them and return to the station within the period shown on the report. In the meantime you can generally only drive the car to a garage or to the station.
- Negativa (dangerous): very serious faults make the car unsafe. It cannot be driven on the road and must be taken away by tow truck or transporter for repair.
The exact conditions for each result are set out in the report the station gives you. Driving with an expired or failed ITV can lead to fines and problems with your insurance.
The ITV when buying, selling or bringing a car to the Canaries
If you are buying
The ITV date tells you a lot. A car that has just passed gives some reassurance, while one about to expire may be hiding repairs. Download the DGT vehicle report (informe de vehículo), which lists past inspections and the mileage recorded at each one; it helps you spot a clocked car. There are more tips in our guide to buying a car in the Canaries, and you can browse cars for sale.
If you are selling
A valid ITV makes the sale and transfer easier. If it is due soon, consider taking it before you advertise; see our guide to selling your car.
If you are bringing a car from the mainland or abroad
A car on Spanish plates keeps its ITV when it arrives on the islands and is tested in the Canaries when next due. A car on foreign plates, such as a UK car, needs an inspection before it can be registered in Spain, with technical documents proving its type approval. Tax and customs aspects are covered in our guide to bringing a car from the mainland.
DGT environmental label
The environmental label (0, ECO, C or B) is not issued by the ITV: the DGT assigns it based on fuel type and registration date. You can look up your car's label on the DGT website.
Costs: who pays what
General information. Taxes, fees and amounts change and depend on each case. Always check the current figures with the official sources linked here or ask a gestoría (licensed paperwork agent).
| Item | Who pays | Where it is paid or handled | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|
| ITV inspection fee (varies by station and vehicle type) | The owner or whoever takes the car in | Authorised ITV station | Gobierno de Canarias |
| Re-test after a fail (according to the station's conditions) | Owner | Authorised ITV station | Gobierno de Canarias |
| Repairs needed to pass | Owner | Garage of your choice | - |
| Pre-registration inspection for a foreign car | Whoever registers the car | Authorised ITV station | Gobierno de Canarias / DGT |
| DGT environmental sticker (if you want to display it) | Owner | Outlets indicated by the DGT | DGT |
Ask the station for its current fee when you book.
Frequently asked questions
How often does a private car need the ITV in the Canaries?
As a general rule, a private car is exempt for its first 4 years, then needs the ITV every 2 years until it is 10, and every year after that. The exact date is shown on the ficha técnica.
What documents do I need for the ITV?
The permiso de circulación and the ficha técnica, plus your ID. If the car has been modified, bring the approval paperwork too.
Is the ITV the same as the UK MOT?
It serves the same purpose: a periodic safety and emissions check. The intervals and the paperwork are different, and the result is recorded on the ficha técnica.
What happens if my car fails?
You need to fix the faults and return to the station within the period shown on the report. In the meantime you can generally only drive to a garage or back to the station.
Does the ITV give me the environmental label?
No. The DGT assigns the label based on fuel type and registration date, and you can check it on the DGT website.
Official sources
This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice. We review it regularly; if you spot something out of date, let us know through the contact form.