Article
Changing Vehicle Registration
Written by Bruce Rowbotham and Eric Clarke May 2008
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED1. A current Passport
2. The original DVLA Registration document (V5) in your own name. (If English car)
3. Your NIE showing your current address, and Padron if your address is now different (People with old style Residencias)
4. A current copy of your Datos del Padron de Habitantes issued by your local Town Hall, remember this document is only valid for one month.
5. A clean and roadworthy vehicle with headlamps converted to dip to the right. Ensure the VIN number (chassis number - bastidor) is clear and legible.
6. A supply of photocopies of the above documents.
THE ITV TEST
The ITV testing stations perform two types of test.
Inspeccion Periodica The routine bi-annual or annual tests of vehicles and the Inspection No Periodico. A more detailed examination for certain vehicles, including those seeking importation/registration. In practice these two tests can be carried out at the same time if there are no problems in obtaining the engineers report.
I presented my papers at the Non Periodic desk at the test at the ITV station at Redovan near Orihuela, as they have an established reputation as being sympathetic to older or unusual cars. I had to contact an engineer based in an adjacent building who came to conduct an examination to ensure the vehicle was homologated with Spanish legislation.
The examiner spoke some English and the process was quite simple. The inspector has many of the more common classic car details on computer, but if you are importing a rare model, than any technical information, such as a workshop manual will be very useful. In my case he only checked the Vin number and that it had seat belts to the front seats.
The engineers report was ready in 30 minutes, (time for coffee) (Cost 100€), but in some cases you may have to return the next day.
Returning with the engineers report and all papers again to the Non Periodica desk I was told to wait in lane 3 and I was immediately called for the main technical inspection (the two tests combined). Just like a normal ITV, but with no exhaust emission test. It was measured and weighed and passed. If a convertible the hood must be up, to measure the height.
The testing station retained copies of my Passport, NIE, Padron and V5. and issued me with a Tarjeta Inspeccion Tecnica de Vehiculos. At this point the vehicle was identified by the VIN number. (Cost 84.33€)
SUMA I could now arrange the Impuesto Vehiculos (annual road tax) for the car. By presenting the Tarjeta Inspeccion de Vehiculos at my local SUMA office they were able to issue me with a form Solicitud de Matriculacion (very important you get this) it needs filling in after which they may need a photocopy for their use They also issued a Carta de Pago showing the amount I had to pay for the remainder of the year. I took the Carta de Pago form to CAM Bank and paid for my road tax. Cost XX€ depends on your area (See Money saving Tip below)
THE HACIENDA At the Hacienda in Alicante I was directed from the information queue to the Desk for Matriculation ( after security up stairs go left to end turn right and at the end) to present my papers. Here a lady on her computer filled in the Impuesto Especial Sobre Determinados Medios de Transporte (Form 576).
Once completeI I was directed to a bank of ticket machines in the main hall (if limited Spanish join the information queue) to obtain a ticket for my place in the queue for Censos at Desks 1-6. Here my details were recorded in a computer and I was issued with a printed page of Etiquetas. These are labels with personalized bar-codes.
Returning to the Desk for Matriculation, the lady looked at her list of cars to establish a value, if your particular model is there, the value is calculated and there can be no negotion. If not, proof of purchase with genuine looking receipt can be useful in keeping the cost down.
Typical examples MGB 275€, Karmann Ghia 480€ Beatle 150€ .
Armed with a slip of paper entitled Pago de Impuestos I visited the Cam Bank (Near El Corte Ingles) and paid the import tax. Returning to the same desk in The Hacienda, she returned all my papers with that part now complete.
TRAFFICO- DAY 1 At the Jefatura de Trafico in Alicante join the normally shorter queue at Caja. (Note. That if SUMA did not give you a form Solicitud de Matriculacion then you have to queue at Informacion to get one and fill it in and return to Suma to have it stamped)
At the Caja I handed the Solicitud de Matriculacion that I received from SUMA and paid the Registration fee. (Cost 70.88€.) I was given a ticket to queue at Desk 3 (Normally very short) for the documentation check of the following.
Passport
NIE form
Padron
V5
Tarjeta Inspeccion Tecnica de Vehiculos
SUMA receipt for Road Tax
White Form 576
Bank receipt for import tax Solicitud de Matriculacion
My passport, NIE, Solicitud de Matriculacion and SUMA documents were returned and I was instructed to collect the FINAL PAPERS the following day.
TRAFFICO-DAY 2
The next day I queued at Informacion for a ticket to collect my Permiso de Circulacion from desk 3. I collected the document together with my Tarjeta Tecnica de Vehiculos that was now embossed with the new registration number.
PLATES
The final task is to have the registration plates made up. Cost 20 euros. If you want them done while you wait- turn left out of Traffico continue along Calle San Juan Bosco and there is a shop a short distance up on the right.
At every stage I had to produce one or all of the documents listed above in Basic Preparation and had to provide a photocopy to be retained, even when finally having the registration plates made up.
Total cost.
Engineers Report - 100 euros
Non Periodic ITV – 84.33 euros
SUMA - XX euros Depending on the car
Import Tax - XXX euros
Registration Fee – 70.80 euros
Total cost will depend on the car but two examples:-
Bruce Rowbothem MG B Total 489.35
Eric Clarke Karmann Ghia Total 745.80
SUMMARY
With some expense for visiting Alicante twice and making photocopies of documents we still saved between 200-300 euros in professional fees by doing it ourselves. Finally - It was not impossible, it was not hard, it was just something unfamiliar, and some Spanish is definitely a help.
Do note that systems are changing all the time, so any future help in your own personal experiences of importing your car can be added for the benefit of all club members.
Do not use the Hacienda during May/June unless you have plenty of time as everybody is doing their income tax.
There is plenty of underground parking nearby, cheaper than Torrevieja. Note that El Cortes Ingles parking does not open until 10.00 a.m.
If your car was insured with the English plates remember you will probably need a completely new policy and if comprehensive insurance is required, a valuation will be asked for, which can be arranged through the club.
Remember to return section 11 of the V5 to notify DVLA of the export.
Money saving Tip:
The Spanish Government wants to preserve the motoring heritage and has now passed legislation to exempt vehicles of 25 years or more from the annual road tax. However individual Town Halls can opt out of this scheme.
If you live in Orihuela, including the Orihuela Costas, you can claim exemption at your local SUMA office.
Download the application form for exemption from
http://www.theclassictimes.com/english/documents.asp http://www.theclassictimes.com/english/documents.asp .
Then take it to your local SUMA office with original and copies of your:
Passport
N.I.E.
Permiso de Circulacion
Tarjeca Inspeccion Tecnica de Vehiculos
The letter of exemption will be issued at the time and further confirmation will be received about a month later from the Chief Tax Officer for your district. The letter of confirmation can be a little disconcerting as the final paragraph gives details of how you can appeal against their decision to exempt payment if you feel aggrieved!
Bad luck if you live in Torrevieja and Rojales as they insist on collecting road tax from everyone! .. Your only consolation is it is not as much as the U.K.
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Posted by Webmaster1 on 2008-05-06
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