What happens when the ITV (Spanish vehicle inspection) has expired? Fines, insurance coverage problems, vehicle immobilisation and how to get a new ITV appointment quickly.
8 min
Mobility
Cars, Driving Licence & Transport
Everything about mobility on Mallorca: converting your driving licence, buying or importing a car, insurance and public transport. So that you stay mobile on the island.
Articles
18
Avg. reading time
10 min
Updated
March 2026
Mobility on Mallorca - Cars, Driving Licence and Local Transport
On Mallorca you are often stuck without your own car - especially if you live outside Palma. Whether you need to convert your German driving licence, buy a car on the island or import your vehicle from Germany: there are a few bureaucratic hurdles you should know about. The ITV (Spanish vehicle inspection), car insurance and re-registering your vehicle work differently than in Germany.
In our guides we explain step by step how buying a car in Spain works, which documents you need to re-register a vehicle and what to consider when converting a driving licence. You will also find information on public transport on Mallorca - from the TIB bus to the metro in Palma to the train to Sóller. There are also practical tips on refuelling, parking and the island toll roads, so that you can get around safely and comfortably.
The most important guides
Complete guide to buying a car in Mallorca: new vs. used cars, negotiating, inspection, ITV check, Transferencia and insurance. Everything you need to know.
10 minWhen the re-registration inspection in Manacor takes too long: how to re-register your car through an ITV station on the Spanish mainland, with an online appointment and a resident discount on travel.
8 minRe-register your foreign-registered car in Mallorca entirely yourself, without a Gestoria: every step, form, fee and the correct order, plus the Modelo 06 money-saver.
10 minHow to re-register your foreign-registered car in Mallorca: ITV inspection, registration tax, DGT application, Spanish number plate and deregistration in your home country. Complete guide with costs, deadlines and practical tips.
12 minResidents on Mallorca with non-Spanish licences eventually need to exchange or sit the Spanish driving test. EU/EEA licences can be exchanged at the DGT; UK holders may exchange under a bilateral agreement (verify current status); US, Canadian and Australian drivers without a bilateral agreement must take the full Spanish test. This guide walks through every route, the documents needed, the costs and how to tackle the autoescuela if you need it.
15 minHow electric mobility is developing in Mallorca, where the charging points are, which subsidies apply and whether an electric car really works for day-to-day life on the island.
8 minAll ferry connections from Mallorca to the Spanish mainland and France: routes, shipping lines, journey times, prices and practical tips for the crossing.
8 minA complete guide to Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI): terminals, security, lounges, getting there, parking, and practical tips for a stress-free departure or return journey.
8 minAll parking options at Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI) compared: official AENA car parks, Park & Fly, LowCostParking and more, with current prices, shuttle services, and booking tips.
10 minIf you bring a foreign-registered car to Mallorca, the rules depend on whether you are visiting or resident. Tourists have up to six months; once you become a Spanish resident you must re-register within 30 days or face fines, retroactive tax and possible impoundment. This guide explains the timeline, the process for EU and non-EU vehicles, and when it simply makes more sense to buy locally.
14 minEverything about the ITV (Inspeccion Tecnica de Vehiculos) in Mallorca: deadlines, the process, costs, common failure points, and how to prepare. Plus: how to book appointments and what happens if you fail.
8 minEverything about Spanish car insurance: Seguro obligatorio, partial cover, comprehensive cover, transferring your no-claims bonus, the best providers, and how much it costs. Plus: what to look out for when choosing a policy.
9 minEverything you need to know about renting a car on Mallorca: where to book, what to watch out for with insurance and fuel policies, and how to avoid hidden charges.
8 minEverything about public transport on Mallorca: TIB intercity buses, EMT city buses in Palma, the metro, train connections, the Tren de Soller and the best money-saving tips with the Tarjeta Intermodal.
11 minA practical guide to moving your possessions and car to Mallorca from the UK, US, or anywhere else in Europe. Covers removal options, the ferry leg, EU transfer-of-residence customs relief, required documents, car import vs. car buying, and what you cannot bring.
16 minTaxi or VTC on Mallorca? We show you the fixed fares at the airport, which apps work (Cabify, Bolt), when Uber is actually available and how to file a complaint.
8 minThe most important traffic rules in Spain that differ from those in many other countries: speed limits, fines, roundabouts, parking and what you must carry in your car.
8 minMore topics
Arriving
NIE, residency, digital certificate
Living
Renting, buying, moving
Money & Law
Taxes, banks, lawyers
Everyday & Leisure
Events, restaurants, sport