Buying, registering and insuring a motorbike or scooter

Terms used

• Ficha técnica — The ficha técnica is the technical data sheet of the vehicle.
• Gestoría — A gestoría is a paperwork agent who handles registrations and official procedures for a fee.
• Permiso de circulación — The permiso de circulación is the vehicle's registration document, issued by the traffic office.
• Jefatura de Tráfico — The Jefatura de Tráfico is the local traffic office, run by the DGT, where vehicles are registered.
• DGT — The DGT is Spain's national traffic authority.
• IVTM — The IVTM is the yearly municipal road tax on vehicles, paid to your town hall.
• ITP — The ITP is the transfer tax paid when you buy a used vehicle from a private seller.
• ITV — The ITV is the periodic roadworthiness inspection of vehicles.

Key rules

• Compulsory insurance: Third-party insurance is compulsory for every moped and motorbike, and riding uninsured risks a heavy fine and immobilisation of the vehicle.
• Used bike: A used bike needs a change of ownership, and you pay transfer tax on a private purchase.
• ITV: Only bikes over 125 cc need periodic ITV nationally.
• Road tax: Your town hall sets the IVTM, so the amount depends on where you live.

The short version

Buy, register, insure, then pay your town's road tax. A dealer or a gestoría can do most of the paperwork for you. Third-party insurance is compulsory before you ride.

Registering a new bike

A new bike comes with a ficha técnica and a certificate of conformity. The dealer supplies both. Ask the dealer whether they will register the bike. If not, hire a gestoría.

If you do it yourself, do it in this order:

1. Pay the registration tax (impuesto de matriculación, modelo 576), where it applies to your bike.
2. Pay the DGT fee.
3. Pay the IVTM at your town hall.
4. Book an appointment at the Jefatura de Tráfico. You leave with your permiso de circulación and plate.

The documents list and checklist below cover what to bring.

Moped or motorbike: what changes

• Up to 50 cc (moped): you register with the DGT and get a moped plate and a permiso de circulación. The old municipal licence system has been replaced. A moped registered before the change may still carry municipal documents.
• Over 50 cc (motorbike): you get a permiso de circulación and a standard plate. ITV and the usual rules apply.

Buying a used bike

A used bike needs a change of ownership, not a new registration. On a private purchase you pay transfer tax (ITP) with modelo 621 to your region's tax office. The tax is based on an official value table, reduced for age. The rate is typically 4 percent in most regions, and some regions charge up to 8 percent. The DGT transfer fee was around 55 euros in 2025. Check your region's rate and the current fee before you buy.

ITV inspections

ITV is the periodic roadworthiness inspection.

• Over 125 cc: first ITV at 4 years from registration, then every 2 years until the bike is 10 years old, then every year.
• Mopeds and bikes up to 125 cc: no periodic ITV nationally. Some regions have their own rules, so ask your regional ITV station.

Compulsory insurance

Third-party insurance is compulsory for every moped and motorbike. Riding uninsured risks a heavy fine and immobilisation of the vehicle. The fine has historically been 601 to 3,005 euros.

For a 125 cc bike, third-party cover typically costs a few hundred euros a year. Fully comprehensive costs noticeably more. Your price depends on your age, your city, the bike's value and your claims history. Get quotes from several insurers.

Municipal road tax

You pay IVTM every year to your town hall. Each town sets its own rate, based on engine size. In 2025, typical bills were roughly 10 to 30 euros for a 125 cc bike. Check your town hall's current rate.

Choosing between options

Which registration route and insurance cover fit your bike?

• Moped up to 50 cc: Your bike is up to 50 cc: it is registered with the DGT and gets a ciclomotor plate and a permiso de circulación.

• Motorbike over 50 cc: Your bike is over 50 cc: it gets a permiso de circulación and a standard plate, and follows the usual rules including ITV.

• Third-party insurance only: You want the compulsory minimum at the lowest price: for a 125 cc bike this typically costs a few hundred euros a year.

• Fully comprehensive insurance: You want your own bike covered too: it costs noticeably more, depending on age, city, bike value and claims history.

Your engine size decides the registration route. Third-party cover is compulsory for every bike, so the choice is only whether to add cover for your own bike.

Check current insurance quotes with insurers, as prices depend on your age, city, bike value and claims history.

Documents you need

• Ficha técnica (the technical data sheet) of the motorbike, which comes with a new bike.

• Certificate of conformity for a new motorbike, supplied by the dealer.

• Permiso de circulación (the registration document), issued by the Jefatura de Tráfico after you apply by appointment. Mopeds up to 50 cc get one too, with a ciclomotor plate.

Checklist

• Ask the dealer whether they will handle the registration, or hire a gestoría (a paperwork agent) to do it.

• Pay the DGT fee.

• Pay the IVTM, the municipal road tax, at your town hall.

• Book an appointment at the Jefatura de Tráfico to get your permiso de circulación and plate.

• Get quotes for third-party insurance from several insurers, since a 125 cc bike typically costs a few hundred euros a year.

• For a used bike, start a change of ownership instead of a new registration.

Frequently asked questions

Does a 125cc motorbike need ITV?

No, a motorbike of 125 cc or less does not need periodic ITV (the technical inspection) nationally, though some regions apply their own rules. Bikes over 125 cc need it first at 4 years from registration, then every 2 years until 10 years old, then every year. Ask your regional ITV station if you live somewhere with local rules.

How much transfer tax do I pay on a used motorbike from a private seller?

You pay ITP, the transfer tax, which is typically 4 percent in most regions, and some regions charge up to 8 percent. It is worked out on an official value table reduced by the bike's age, and paid with modelo 621 to your regional tax authority.

What happens to a moped registered before the DGT system?

A moped registered before the change may keep its old municipal documents. Mopeds up to 50 cc are now registered with the DGT, which issues a ciclomotor plate and a permiso de circulación. If you are unsure which papers you hold, ask at your Jefatura de Tráfico.

Who collects the municipal road tax on a motorbike?

Your town hall (ayuntamiento) collects the IVTM, the municipal road tax, and sets the amount within legal limits based on engine size.