1️⃣ Documentation that must be carried in the vehicle 📂
You must carry the following documents (original or certified photocopy):
- 📄 Vehicle registration certificate
- 🧾 Valid vehicle technical inspection card (ITV) + report from the last inspection
- 📦 Transport activity documents (if applicable)
🛻 If towing a trailer:
- If it is light: Technical inspection card
- If it is NOT light: ITV card + Registration certificate + Insurance document
2️⃣ Vehicle Registration Certificate 📘
Document that authorizes the vehicle to circulate.
It includes data such as:
- 👤 Holder’s name and address
- 🚘 License plate, chassis (VIN) number
- 📆 Date of first registration
- 🪑 Number of seats, Maximum Authorized Mass (MAM)
🛑 Mandatory for all vehicles with MAM > 750 kg.
3️⃣ Vehicle Technical Inspection Card (ITV) 🛠️
Certifies that the vehicle meets technical requirements. Includes:
- 📋 Vehicle technical data
- 🆔 NIVE (identification number)
- 📱 Electronic format (e-ITV) via the DGT
🔧 Mandatory for all vehicles, including light trailers.
📅 ITV frequency
| 🚚 Vehicle type | 🕒 Age | 🔁 Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| MAM ≤ 3,500 kg | 0–2 years | Exempt |
| 2–6 years | Biennial (every 2 years) | |
| 6–10 years | Annual | |
| > 10 years | Semiannual (every 6 months) | |
| MAM > 3,500 kg | 0–10 years | Annual |
| > 10 years | — | Semiannual |
📌 Clarifications about the ITV
- 📆 It can be done up to 30 days before it expires
- 🪪 You must present the vehicle registration certificate
- 🛡️ Compulsory insurance must be up to date
- ✅ Favorable result: Place the V-19 sticker on the windscreen
- ⚠️ Unfavorable result:
- DL (minor defect): Repair within 2 months
- DG (serious): Repair and repeat ITV; do not drive except to go to the workshop
- DMG (very serious): May only be moved on a tow truck
🔍 Extraordinary ITV inspections
- 🚧 After major modifications (within 15 days)
- 🔄 Change of vehicle use or duplicate documentation
- 💥 Serious damage to chassis, brakes, suspension, or steering
🚨 Roadside inspections
Targeted at commercial vehicles with a high-risk profile or at random. They assess:
- 📄 Last ITV and prior report
- 🔎 Technical condition, securing and placement of the load
- 🧪 Brakes, tyres, emissions, chassis
🔴 Detected risks may lead to immobilization and transfer to a workshop.
4️⃣ Compulsory insurance 🚨
- 🚘 Mandatory for motor vehicles, trailers, and special vehicles with MAM > 750 kg
- 💼 Covers damage to persons and property caused by driving
- 👤 The vehicle holder is responsible for taking out the policy
5️⃣ Points-Based License 🎯
🟢 Initial allocation
- 🎫 New drivers or those who have lost all points: 8 points
- 🔁 After 2 years without offenses: 12 points
- 🎉 Good-conduct bonuses:
- +2 points after 3 years without offenses
- +1 additional point after another 3 years
- ➡️ Maximum total: 15 points
🔻 Loss of points
Points are lost for serious or very serious offenses:
- ⛔ Max. 8 points per day (except in certain very serious cases)
- 💔 Points are only deducted for offenses that require authorization to drive
🔄 Points recovery
- ✅ No offenses for 2 years → full recovery
- ⚠️ Very serious offenses → 3-year period
📉 Offenses and points
- 🟡 3 points:
- Using a mobile phone without hands-free 📱
- Not wearing a seatbelt or helmet 🚫🪖
- Using radar detectors 🚫📡
- 🟠 4 points:
- Failing to obey signs, traffic lights, right of way 🚦
- Driving with an invalid license 📉
- Throwing objects onto the road ⚠️
- 🔴 6 points:
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs 🍺🚬
- Illegal racing or reckless driving 🏁
- Tampering with the tachograph or speed limiter ⚙️
🎓 Recovery courses
- 📚 12 hours: recover up to 6 points (every 2 years, or every 1 year if you are a professional driver)
- 📚 24 hours: recover the license after total loss + DGT test
⚖️ Liability for offenses
- 👶 Minors: liability shared with parents or guardians
- 🧑 The designated habitual driver is liable, unless proven otherwise
- 🏢 Rental companies must identify the actual driver
- 🅿️ The holder is liable for parking offenses
- 🚫 Failure to identify the offender → very serious offense + fine multiplied by 2 or 3
📘 Source: General Vehicle Regulations and Driver Regulations – DGT 2025
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