Introduction
Whether you are a regular driver or not, you will surely know what the Vehicle Technical Inspection (ITV) is. It is this periodic and mandatory check that we have to go through at an authorized station to ensure that our car is in good condition. Essential aspects such as tires, lights, brakes and emissions are checked in these inspections.
MOT inspection on the road
However, even if you’ve had your license for 40 years, you may not know that the ITV can also be done directly on the road. It is like a traffic control by the Civil Guard or the Police, but with a technical approach.
Two ways to carry out an ITV on the road
There are two main ways to carry out an ITV on the road: with or without a mobile unit. Without the mobile unit, officers set up checkpoints where they stop selected vehicles to perform a visual inspection of key components such as brakes, steering, lighting and tires. It is also checked that the ITV has not expired and, in the case of loaded vehicles, the fastening systems are inspected.
When a mobile unit is available, the inspection is more thorough. The agents, accompanied by qualified technicians, can evaluate the brakes, steering, suspension and pollutant emissions in detail. If any significant problems are detected, the vehicle can be taken to a nearby fixed station for a full overhaul.
In any case, ITV roadside inspections are carried out by traffic officers, who in some cases are assisted by technical inspectors from ITV stations and use mobile units equipped to carry out detailed checks. The main purpose is to verify that vehicles meet road safety and emissions standards to reduce the risk of accidents and pollution.
Consequences of not having the ITV in order
Carrying an expired ITV can involve fines of up to 500 euros. If serious or very serious defects are found during inspections, it is mandatory to repair them before taking the vehicle to a fixed MOT station to verify that the repairs have been carried out correctly. This measure is crucial to ensure that only vehicles in good condition continue to run.
Implementation of roadside inspections
This practice, common in other countries of the European Union, has begun to be implemented more frequently in Spain in recent months. According to the Spanish Association of Entities Collaborating with the Administration in the Technical Inspection of Vehicles (AECA-ITV), in the last six months around 6,000 inspections have been carried out on the road in Spain. The purpose of these inspections is to ensure that the vehicles that circulate do so in safe conditions and in compliance with environmental regulations.
You should also know that when a car is intercepted at a road checkpoint with an expired ITV, a penalty will be imposed that can range from 200 to 500 euros, depending on the specific situation. In addition, the vehicle will have to go immediately to an ITV station to pass the relevant inspection. This regulation underlines the importance of keeping the ITV up to date, thus ensuring that all vehicles in circulation meet safety and environmental requirements, contributing to greater road safety and environmental protection.