Obtaining an appointment for ITV inspections has become an arduous task for most drivers in the region, especially those trying to book through the web. In March it was announced that Sitval, a public company, would take over the management of this service, ending private concessions that had been in place since the late 1990s.
Until last summer the main issue was delays that reached as long as two months. Many people who register at some centers now find themselves unable to book, because the app shows a calendar only two or three months ahead, and in peak seasons all slots tend to fill up fast.
For example, this Tuesday at eight of the fifteen stations it was not possible to book an appointment through the ITV platform operating in Alicante province. Specifically, centers in Alicante, Benidorm, Ondara, Orihuela, Calp, El Campello, Santa Pola and Castalla showed a message stating there were no shifts available, while another message noted that the number of appointments was increasing daily, suggesting users check the site repeatedly for any openings. This is far from ideal for drivers who must constantly monitor the page and cannot rely on a guaranteed time slot.
In the other two cases Elche and Novelda first appointments were already available on the Sitval site for December, with free slots in the following days only in Alcoy, Pilar de la Horadada, Redován, Torrevieja and Villena.
The striking aspect is that many ITV centers exist even though they are not online. Some spaces are available, but only for those who book by phone. The Innovation Department linked to Sitval explains that each channel runs its own calendar, effectively creating separate appointment quotas. In concrete terms, a driver can secure an inspection in Alicante next Thursday by phone.
Additionally, a small percentage of slots is reserved for walk-ins who come directly to the station when their turn arrives.
ITV prices rose after the return to public management.
The core problem remains that the website does not clearly explain these arrangements. Even though a phone number is visible, many users assume that if there is no web availability there is no alternative. This view was warned about by the unions at CC OO and echoed by regional observers who stress the need for clearer guidance.
Call center
The public body acknowledges the situation and says it is actively seeking a fix. They oppose a full calendar merge for now, arguing it would worsen the bottlenecks. One reason for the current state is a high rate of no-shows on booked appointments, which leads to repeated bookings at certain centers that serve many customers.
As more people discovered the higher success rate of phone bookings, the process shifted to the call center. At times it has been difficult to reach an operator. Regional authorities responded by launching a tender to expand the call center staff, increasing headcount from 11 to 22 in the coming weeks.
There are also ITVs whose workloads already exceed capacity, especially in Benidorm and Ondara, a situation that worsens as demand grows near holiday periods. The council attributes this to the inherited structure of previous concessionaires and believes it can be corrected with measures that align capacity with demand.
A troubled return to the public sector
The ITV service was privatized in 1997 during a period when public confidence in private delivery was high. After the planned concession term ended, the regional government decided to reclaim the stations for the public sector starting in March of this year. Since then, delays in scheduling and labor issues have persisted, with unions calling for equal pay adjustments for workers who joined Sitval from different companies.
Road map and union talks
Even so, some ITV centers report workloads that far exceed their capacity, particularly in areas like Benidorm and Ondara. This pressure compounds when bridge and holiday periods drive demand higher. Officials say the current strain stems from legacy agreements and expect the restructuring to relieve the bottlenecks in time.
The process represents a difficult transition back to public ownership, with ongoing challenges in booking and staffing. The move aims to foster a stable, transparent system that serves drivers more reliably and evenly across the region.