€100 Fine for Missing ITV Sticker: How Simple Forgetfulness Turns Into a Problem. In Spain, drivers can be fined not only for an expired ITV but also for lacking the sticker on their windshield. Even if your vehicle has passed inspection, an officer can issue a €100 fine if the sticker is missing or incorrectly placed. We explain how to avoid this common mistake.
A driver who has passed the vehicle inspection (ITV) and obtained all the necessary documents may unexpectedly face a €100 fine—simply for forgetting to place the sticker on the windshield. In Spain, this small element—the official V-19 sign—is mandatory for anyone driving a car, and its absence is considered a violation, even if the inspection itself was completed on time.
According to the rules, the ITV sticker must be placed in the upper right corner of the windshield from the inside. This is not a formality: traffic police inspectors use the sticker for a quick check to see if the vehicle has passed inspection and if it is still valid. If the sticker is missing, damaged, placed incorrectly, or completely lost, a fine is inevitable—and no explanation that all documents are in order will help.
The penalty for this violation is €100. No points are deducted from your driving license, but the amount is significant, especially considering it can be avoided in literally a minute. It is important to remember: if the sticker has come off or been damaged, the driver must obtain a duplicate at the nearest ITV station. Do not put this off—inspectors do not make allowances for forgetfulness.
AECA-ITV experts advise not only keeping track of the inspection's expiration date, but also remembering to place the sticker correctly. By the way, you can undergo ITV a month before the expiry date—this will not affect the date of your next inspection, but it will help avoid queues and last-minute rushes.
If a driver ignores not only the sticker but also the obligation to undergo the ITV inspection, the fines become much more severe: for an overdue inspection, the amount can reach 200 or even 500 euros. Therefore, it is important not only to pass the technical inspection, but also to ensure that all formalities are properly completed.
Experience shows that many drivers underestimate such details, considering them insignificant. However, it is precisely because of such seemingly minor things that one can end up in an unpleasant situation on the road. Just as with driving barefoot, which is also subject to a fine — you can learn more about this in the article about unexpected reasons for fines for drivers in Spain.
In the end, to avoid unnecessary expenses and unpleasant conversations with an inspector, it is worthwhile not only to undergo the ITV inspection on time but also to carefully monitor all the details related to the car’s documentation. This simple rule helps you save not only money but also peace of mind on the road.
