The economy ministry has warned that the public administration of Technical Vehicle Inspection ITV stations in the Valencian Community will begin with some early hiccups. In several towns, operations will start temporarily without service because the concessionaire company could not agree on using mobile units in those municipalities. This disruption will push the regional government to reactivate its own centers as quickly as possible, though exact dates cannot be set yet. In the meantime, negotiations continue to close a contract that would allow ITV centers in Redován and Orihuela to operate, along with the mobile units serving Elda, Novelda and Pilar de la Horadada.
The Ministry of Economy is finalizing procedures to take over the Valencian ITV network on February 24 in some cases and March 3 in others, coinciding with when concession contracts expire. A major issue concerns the mobile units, originally contracted to assist during the peak of the pandemic and still in operation. Since these facilities are company owned, they will not automatically pass to the Valencian ITV public entity responsible for administration.
Josep Albert Quilis, director of the administering body, explains that the failure to reach an agreement with the Alicante and Benidorm concessionaires, to which those facilities are linked, led the regional government to begin procedures to switch on the mobile units in their own network. This means Calp will lose service starting March 3, and El Campello and Santa Pola starting March 24. In those two towns, Quilis notes, the existing units must be dismantled before new units can be installed. A different site in Calp could be found, but all land-use rules and procedures must be followed. For this reason the company cannot yet set a date for resuming service. He adds that the aim is to restore service as soon as possible, but deadlines cannot be promised at this time.
Redován and Orihuela
The Ministry of Economy is also negotiating with concessionaires in Redován and Orihuela, where the companies had been receiving authorization directly from the Ministry of Industry at that time, and where more challenges were reported. The discussions continue to explore a single lease that would also permit mobile units serving Elda, Novelda and Pilar de la Horadada to stay in operation. Quilis notes that the current priority is to convert these talks into a formal contract that governs the entire setup.
Consell and Vega Baja ITV: A lease to preserve service
Meanwhile, the Valencia Community Association of Privileged Organizations for Vehicle Technical Inspection (Aecova-ITV) issued a statement after Minister Climent held companies accountable for potential service gaps stemming from non-cooperation. In the letter, concessionaires argue that the public company’s failure to operate arose from negligence. The message emphasizes that improper procedures create organizational problems for franchisees, affect workforce certainty, and hinder direct, efficient service management.
Stations facing strikes and reductions in service
The near-term outlook remains uncertain. Three Valencia stations, Campanar, Massalfassar and San Antonio de Benagéber, are experiencing strikes as concessionaires resist converting 23 part-time positions to full-time contracts. In addition, at least seven stations — Catarroja, Vara de Quart, Lliria, Riba-roja, Benidorm, Castellón and Villarreal — no longer offer advance appointments. The ministry plans to shift to online scheduling in the coming days and may also offer phone scheduling. Moreover, several stations including Alcoy, Benidorm, Orihuela, Redován, Torrevieja and Villena will be closed for inventory work on February 25, with Alicante and Elche stations shut on March 4. OG/Joint Venture