Why do the MOT stickers come in 3 different colours?

Have you ever wondered why the MOT stickers are yellow, green or red? We have the answer, and we are sure it will surprise you. However, you should know that not displaying the MOT sticker in a visible place, normally in the upper right-hand corner of the windscreen, carries a fine of 100 euros. Don’t risk it and follow our advice.

It is true that traffic officers can check the vehicle’s Technical Inspection information in the database, but the sticker confirms at a quick glance that the vehicle in question has passed its inspection within the required timeframe. Don’t think the DGT doesn’t notice whether or not you have passed your MOT, because there are cameras on the roads whose job is to catch drivers using vehicles without a valid MOT.

V-19 sticker: everything you need to know

The MOT sticker, also known as the V-19, is required by the Traffic Regulations to be placed in the upper right-hand corner of the windscreen (it must be stuck on the inside of the glass). In this way it remains visible to the authorities, without reducing the driver’s visibility. In the case of motorcycles and other vehicles without a windscreen, it should be placed somewhere it can be seen easily.

The sticker not only shows that the vehicle has passed its MOT, but also indicates the year in which it must be inspected again. The two digits on the right-hand side refer to the year, while the Roman numerals that appear punched out indicate the month of expiry. The label also shows the number of the MOT station that carried out the inspection and the autonomous community in which it is located.

Why are MOT stickers yellow, red or green?

As you probably know, MOT stickers can be yellow, green and red. Experts have explained that “the colour is assigned following a specific order: first yellow, then red and finally green. The key to interpreting the colour is as follows:

• Yellow stickers for MOTs expiring in 2023, 2026, 2029… and so on
• Red stickers for vehicles that passed their MOT in 2021 and will have to be inspected again in 2024, 2027, 2030.
• Green stickers are assigned to vehicles that have passed or must pass the inspection this year; their label will then expire in 2025, 2028, 2031.