The moment of truth has arrived for the Valencia Community Vehicle Inspection system. After 25 years of privatisation, nearly half of the ITV stations will return to public administration next Monday, though they will operate at a slower pace. The ministry of Economy says appointments will be spaced out more widely than usual, a precaution in case first days reveal hiccups in the new operating mode. In Alicante province, the stations where the management shift will take effect next week are Alcoy, Benidorm, Torrevieja and Villena. The Saturday schedule will be closed as technicians from the Valencia Institute for Economic Competitiveness visit to complete the transfer protocol and verify everything is in order. The Redován and Orihuela facilities remain public but will stay open on Saturday because they will not be returning to the Generalitat this weekend.
Nearly half of the community’s ITV stations terminate their private concessions on Friday and pass into the hands of the Sitval Valencian ITV Society, a public company that will oversee the new management. Stations such as Torrevieja have already removed the concessionaire’s name from their signage. The remaining stations, including the Alicante and Elche operations centers, will complete the concession period on March 3. The transition plan is designed to be orderly, with a focus on smooth handover and continuity of inspections.
The head of Sitval, Josep Antoni Albert, confirmed that the first batch of stations would resume service next Monday after a brief Saturday pause, albeit with a slower pace for vehicle inspections. The new Sitval website currently provides appointment slots at longer intervals until the transition fully stabilises. Albert emphasized a proactive approach during these early days to prevent long queues or other inconveniences for users. The Ivace visit is expected to be pivotal to ensure all equipment, software, and network connections operate correctly. Sitval is prepared to address any missing components without delay, according to Albert.
Albert notes that the Ivace technicians will assess critical areas to confirm that hardware, computer systems, and communications are functioning as they should. While he is confident no major problems will arise, he mentions a contingency plan to install anything that might be missing if needed. The aim is a seamless transition with minimal disruption for the public.
A seven-year lease will save ITV service in Vega Baja
The Ministry of Economy has voiced concerns about the level of cooperation from concessionaires in recent months, who have argued that the administration lacks authority to operate the service and have warned that chaos could ensue if clear instructions are not provided in the swift transition. Nevertheless, the Valencia concession representative association, Aecova-ITV, asserts that cooperation will continue through the period of change. The shift toward Sitval is expected to proceed as normally as possible, with initial problems anticipated to be minimal.
The new arrangement has included a notable administrative move: a seven-year lease is set to ensure the continuous delivery of ITV services in Vega Baja and surrounding areas. Sitval’s leadership emphasizes that the changeover is a structured process designed to maintain service quality while gradually integrating the public management approach. Independent observers stress that careful coordination will be essential to avoid service interruptions and to keep inspections consistent with regulatory standards.
New website and rapid appointment scheduling have become focal points of the transition. Sitval has launched a platform that initially booked thousands of appointments across the first days, demonstrating strong public demand for timely inspections. The move away from tariff-free access until June, as some concessionaires had advocated, has been a point of contention but is being managed in accordance with the ministry’s broader policy timeline. Local authorities are monitoring the situation and are prepared to adjust operational details as the process unfolds. Officials in El Campello have raised concerns about service gaps in mobile units, while Sitval’s team has pledged to restore full service as quickly as possible.
Across the Valencian Community, early feedback indicates that the transition is progressing with limited disruptions. The goal remains to deliver a stable, predictable ITV framework that serves residents efficiently, while ensuring proper oversight and compliance across the public and semi-public entities involved. The transfer is supported by technical checks, ongoing oversight, and a clear timetable for the gradual ramp-up of services and staffing levels. Public confidence hinges on transparent communication and reliable scheduling, and authorities emphasize that the current plan is designed to meet those expectations.
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