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Spain’s yellow ITV stickers indicates that the car’s check-in is valid until 2026.
Credit : Azulblue, Shutterstock
Every driver in Spain knows the drill: when you pass your ITV (Inspección Técnica de Vehículos), you’re handed a little sticker to place on your windscreen.
But this isn’t just a colourful keepsake or a token of success – it has a very practical purpose, one that traffic officers rely on, and ignoring it could land you with a fine.
Why ITV Stickers Change Colour Each Year
ITV stickers, also known as V-19 are only available in three colours: yellow, green and red. The colour isn’t random – it tells authorities when your vehicle’s ITV expires. The simple system allows officers, at a quick glance, to determine if your vehicle is up-to-date with its inspection.
The sequence is rotated every three years.
- Green stickers are used to indicate inspections valid for 2025, 2028 and 2030.
- Yellow stickers will be applied to 2026-2029 and 2032.
- Red stickers indicate that the ITV expires between 2027 and 2030.
Other details are included with the color. The inspector will punch out the appropriate month before issuing the sticker. The ITV station and emblem of the autonomous area where the test occurred are also shown.
Where to place the sticker – and the penalty for not doing so
After you have passed your inspection, technicians will give you a simple instruction: Place the sticker at the top-right corner of your windshield. It’s a must.
According to Spanish traffic law, failing to display the sticker constitutes a minor infraction. If you’re stopped without it, you risk a €100 fine, although no licence points are deducted. The same rule applies to motorbikes that often do not have windscreens. The sticker must be visible and easily accessible.
Some drivers make this mistake and keep every ITV sticker that they’ve received. They create a colorful collection on their windshield. It’s not a great idea. It is not a good idea.
A small sticker that has a huge role
Although it may appear insignificant, the ITV sticker is an important part of Spain’s road system. It saves time for authorities and ensures that the vehicles on the road meet safety standards.
Next time you have a new sticker, don’t throw it into the glove compartment. Stick it where it belongs – and save yourself the hassle and expense of a fine.
