On 23 April 2026, across Spain, vehicle owners are going through the annual process of taxing their cars. The term taxing your car in Spain means two separate processes: paying the ITV inspection fee and paying the annual Impuesto de Circulacion road tax. Here is the complete step-by-step guide to taxing your car in Spain in 2026. ## Step 1: ITV Inspection Booking and Payment Before your ITV expiry date, book an appointment at an authorised ITV station. You can book online at ITV.es by entering your vehicle registration plate and selecting a convenient station and time. ITV stations are distributed across every province in Spain. On the day of inspection, drive to the station at your appointed time. The ITV fee is paid at the station, typically by card. Standard petrol cars: EUR 40-55. Diesel cars and SUVs: EUR 50-70. The ITV inspection takes approximately 30-60 minutes. If the vehicle passes (favorable), you receive a new ITV certificate valid for the next period. If there are minor defects (favorable con defectos menores), you have 60 days to repair and return for a free retest. If it fails (desfavorable), you must repair all defects and book a full retest, which incurs a reduced retest fee of approximately EUR 15-20. ## Step 2: Paying the Impuesto de Circulacion Road tax in Spain is paid to your local Ayuntamento. You will receive an annual bill by post, typically arriving in December for the following year. The bill shows the amount due and your vehicle's referencia catastral del impuesto. Pay online through the Ayuntamento website using your reference number, or in person at the town hall with the bill. The typical payment deadline is 31 January. Paying late incurs surcharges starting at 5%. ## Step 3: Registering the ITV Certificate Once you pass ITV, keep the ITV certificate safely. The ITV certificate (tarjeta ITV) is an important document that proves your vehicle is legally roadworthy. You should keep the most recent ITV certificate with your vehicle documents. The DGT miDGT app also stores your ITV certificate digitally, which is increasingly accepted as valid proof. ## Setting Up Reminders: Essential for Compliance The biggest risk for Spanish vehicle owners is forgetting either ITV or road tax deadlines. Set calendar reminders 30 days before your ITV expiry (check ITV.es for your specific date). Set a reminder in January each year to pay the road tax before the deadline. The miDGT app sends notifications for ITV expiry and road tax deadlines if you have registered your vehicle in the app. ## Summary Taxing your car in Spain: ITV booked at ITV.es, EUR 40-90 per inspection every 1-2 years. Impuesto de Circulacion paid to Ayuntamento, EUR 50-200 per year, due by 31 January. Both must be current. Late payment: surcharges on road tax, fines and immobilisation for expired ITV. miDGT app sends reminders for both deadlines.

Official Resources: ITV.es - ITV Booking | DGT - Direccion General de Trafico

Vehicle excise duty, commonly referred to as road tax, is a legal requirement for all vehicle owners in the United Kingdom. Whether you drive a car, motorcycle, or van, understanding how road tax works is essential to staying compliant with DVLA regulations and avoiding unnecessary penalties.

The DVLA administers the vehicle excise duty system, collecting revenue that contributes to the maintenance and improvement of the UK road network. Every vehicle registered in the UK must be taxed before it is driven on any public road, and the cost varies significantly depending on the type of vehicle, its emissions, and engine size.

Annual road tax rates for standard cars typically range from around £180 for lower emission vehicles to over £600 for high-emission vehicles. Motorcycles generally have lower rates, while vans and commercial vehicles follow their own specific banding system. The first-year vehicle excise duty rate is based on the vehicle's CO2 emissions, with subsequent years falling into standard rate bands.

One of the most important things to understand about UK road tax is that the registered keeper is responsible for ensuring the vehicle remains taxed at all times. Even if the vehicle is not being driven, it must still be taxed unless it is officially declared off the road with a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN).

Understanding vehicle taxation is essential for every car owner in the United Kingdom. The vehicle excise duty system, commonly known as road tax, is administered by the DVLA and applies to all vehicles registered on UK roads. Whether you own a family car, a high-performance vehicle, or a commercial van, you must ensure your vehicle remains properly taxed throughout the year.

Annual road tax rates are determined primarily by the vehicle's CO2 emissions and engine size. Cars registered after April 2017 follow a banding system where lower emission vehicles pay significantly less than high-emission cars. The standard rate for most petrol and diesel cars currently sits at around £180 per year, though this increases substantially for vehicles emitting more than 130g/km of CO2.

The Impuesto de Circulacion represents one of the oldest forms of local taxation in Spain, with roots dating back to the mid-20th century when municipal road maintenance required dedicated funding. Today, this annual tax continues to support local infrastructure projects, from street repairs to road lighting, and the amount you pay depends significantly on where you live within Spain.

The Impuesto de Circulacion represents one of the oldest forms of local taxation in Spain, with roots dating back to the mid-20th century when municipal road maintenance required dedicated funding. Today, this annual tax continues to support local infrastructure projects, from street repairs to road lighting, and the amount you pay depends significantly on where you live within Spain.