We could be fined between 200 and 500 euros if we drive a vehicle with an expired ITV. And the inspection is becoming increasingly demanding. Even more so with our ageing vehicle fleet.
Booking an appointment for the Vehicle Technical Inspection (ITV) is one of the obligations we must periodically fulfil if we own a vehicle that is five years old or more. Three years ago we covered the subject of technical inspections in summer, a season that had become a problem in some parts of the country; we also published an article on the disparity in prices by autonomous community.
Let us remember that vehicle inspections are carried out in different countries, and are usually governed by ISO/IEC 17020. In Spain it was regulated by Royal Decree 2344/1985 of 20 November, which provided for the phased incorporation of private vehicles into compulsory technical inspection.
Later, with our country’s accession to the European Union (EU), Spanish legislation was adapted to EU regulations, which gradually imposed stricter controls. Royal Decree 2042/1994 of 14 October suggested that the same technical criteria for inspection intervals should be imposed in the regulation at national level.
What is new in the ITV in 2022
In a country like ours, where the vehicle fleet is older than the European average, safety is such a delicate matter that it is reflected in how demanding the inspection is. Inspections have become progressively stricter, especially with regard to emissions control.
Recently, it is ADAS systems, set to revolutionise road safety and smart driving, that are in the spotlight. But what will this mean in terms of new features this year?
- Although vehicle manufacturers have been obliged to provide ITV stations with data on how ADAS work since 2019, from 2022 they are subject to inspection. ADAS are systems aimed at preventing accidents, and they will become increasingly diverse over time.
- As for noise control, although it has been regulated by the EU since 2014, the deadline for implementing this test has been set for May 2023, so it is expected that this year it could become a reality at ITV stations.
- Another new feature concerns compulsory documentation. In addition to the vehicle’s Technical Inspection Card and registration certificate, the vehicle insurance and the vehicle owner’s DNI (national identity card) must be presented (a photocopy is acceptable).