Securing an ITV appointment has become a daunting task for most drivers in the region, especially for those who rely on the online booking system. In March, Sitval, a public company, took over the management of this service, ending the private concessions that had run it since the late 1990s. This shift aimed to streamline scheduling, but many users still face long waits and limited online options.
Until recently the main hurdle was persistent delays, with some people awaiting slots for up to two months. Today, the app often shows a calendar only two or three months ahead, and during peak seasons most slots fill quickly. For example, this Tuesday at eight of the province’s fifteen ITV stations it was not possible to book through the ITV website, including centers in Alicante, Benidorm, Ondara, Orihuela, Calp, El Campello, Santa Pola and Castalla. The message commonly shown is “no shifts available,” while another note mentions that appointment numbers are rising daily, effectively nudging users to check back later for possible openings. This leaves many drivers with little assurance and an inefficient workflow.
In other locations such as Elche and Novelda, the first available appointments appeared only for December on the Sitval site, with fresh openings appearing for the next few days mainly in Alcoy, Pilar de la Horadada, Redován, Torrevieja and Villena.
The notable observation is that many ITV centers exist online, yet not all publish their availability. There is space, but it is restricted to those who book by phone. The Innovation Department, linked to Sitval, explained that each center runs its own calendar and has its own appointment quota. Put simply, a booking can be made by phone for the Alicante center next Thursday if a slot opens.
Additionally, a small portion of appointments is reserved for walk-ins, allowing a limited number of people to attend without prior online booking.
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The situation beyond the public website is not obvious to users. Although the phone line is visible, many assume that no online availability means there is no other option. Labor unions have noted this disconnect and warned that it could hinder smoother scheduling.
Call center
Officials running the public system acknowledge the issue and are seeking fixes, though they remain hesitant to merge calendars. They worry consolidation could worsen the problem, not fix it. One factor is the pattern of no-shows after booking, which leads to underused slots and a concentration of bookings at certain workshops.
As more users learn about the call center option, demand shifts there. At times, reaching a live operator proves challenging. Regional authorities have moved quickly to boost capacity by launching a competition to hire more staff. The plan includes doubling call center workers and increasing the phone support team from 11 to 22 in the coming weeks.
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Some ITV stations are operating well beyond their capacity, especially in Benidorm and Ondara, a situation that grows worse as demand climbs toward holiday periods. Officials attribute this strain to the legacy structure of prior concessionaires. They believe reforms can be implemented to ease the load and improve reliability.
A troubled return to the public sector
The Technical Vehicle Inspection service was privatized in 1997 when a regional president led the administration. As the public sector resumed control in March, the aim was to reclaim the centers, yet scheduling delays persisted. Workforce disparities also surfaced, with operator salaries varying depending on their previous employer, prompting unions to demand pay alignment for all affected staff.