Registering your vehicle in Spain, the ITV test

When registering a vehicle in Spain, you need to pass an ITV test. An ITV test (inspección técnica de vehículos)  is the technical inspection that verifies the vehicle qualifies to be driving on the Spanish highway. 

Where you need to go to pass the inspection 
The DGT provide a list of every authorised vehicle inspection centre in Spain on their website, which can be found HERE

How you book a test
Each Autonomous Community has different suppliers (either independently run or on government contracts) that operate the ITV stations, and each has different ways of booking appointments specifically for the registration, known as ‘matriculacion’ of a vehicle.
With this in mind, if there’s no way to book an appointment (cita previa) via their website, pay a visit to your local ITV testing station and ask how to book your appointment. Take a Spanish speaker with you if needed. 

Documents you’ll need to take with you 
Again, different ITV stations work in different ways, but it’s way best to have all original documents with you, both to book the test and on the day. You will need to identify who you are, where the vehicle is currently registered and the technical specifications of the vehicle. 

You can book two types of tests, a ‘normal’ registering test or a test for change of residence known as ‘cambio de residencia’. With a test for ‘cambio de residencia’ there are some concessions and waiving of the strict technical requirements because you are coming to live in Spain and bringing a vehicle as part of your ‘goods and chattels’. As a rule, the documents you will need are as follows: