In all cars we see some common identifying elements. The registration is non-negotiable, but when the four years are over there are other details that we see on the windshields. The MOT sticker It is the badge that is given to the vehicle that has successfully passed its periodic technical inspection. It certifies that it can continue to circulate normally and its objective is for the authorities to be able to identify at a glance that it is in force. Therefore, it is totally obligatory Let everyone wear it.
It will not help if a car has passed the MOT and has the sticker in the glove compartment. Whoever does not put this badge, with the name V-19 in the General Vehicle Regulations, faces a fine. Not carrying it is considered a minor traffic infraction, which is why it is punishable with a financial penalty of 100 euros. It is important to pay attention to the date that appears on the ITV sticker, which shows the year in which it expires and also the month stamped at the top.
However, there is a detail that goes unnoticed by many. He sticker color The ITV is a key factor that changes and helps when identifying when to pass the inspection. For those who haven’t noticed, there are only three colors this sticker comes in: red, yellow or green. It could be a reference to a traffic light, but the reality is that it serves to indicate the year in which the ITV period expires. This way, by seeing the color, the authorities can know if it expires that year and pay more attention.
Hence, special emphasis is placed on remove all previous stickers and only keep that of the last MOT. Say that the three colors are rotating and that they follow a calendar in a specific order so that it is clear. For example, all vehicles whose MOT expires in 2025 carry a green sticker. As the rotation is valid for three years, we already know that this color will also be present in those that are valid until 2028, until 2031, until 2034 and so on.
The order continues with the yellow stickerswhich are those that indicate that the ITV is valid until 2026 and that it will also be valid until 2029, until 2032 or until 2035. The third color would be redwhich was the one that indicated that the ITV expired last 2024 and that it will be back in vogue in 2027, 2030 or 2033. Other information that the sticker gives, beyond the expiration date of the inspection, is the station in which that was passed and also the autonomous community.
The regulation of the ITV sticker is within the General Vehicle Regulations, approved by the Royal Decree 2822/1998. There is no forecast that modifications will be made, which would require the approval of another Royal Decree. Therefore carry it on the windshield will remain mandatory until prior notice and color will continue to be a differentiating factor.
