How To Register A Car In Italy - Globaloptimizer.com

Italy is a country that enjoys driving and the freedom it provides. Anyone purchasing a house in the Italian countryside will find a car necessary because public transportation outside the cities is a little unpredictable. According to the legislation, anybody operating a car with foreign licence plates while living continuously in Italy for more than 60 days must register the vehicle there and get Italian licence plates.

The widespread use of automobiles with car licence plates was the driving force behind its deployment. When they were fined and could not pay it directly on the spot, the state couldn’t recover it as cross-border fines recovery is impossible. This article guides you on how to bring your car to Italy and register it.

Steps To Register A Car In Italy

Get General Car Inspection

It is the inspector’s responsibility to ensure that your car is roadworthy. Your car will be checked and shaken to ensure all the pieces are secure and won’t break down while you’re driving. Glass must be intact since shattered Glass has a higher chance of breaking and injuring or killing you or another person.

The inspection point cannot remove parts or make a more thorough diagnosis when the machines detect a part not functioning correctly. The staff at the inspection site will snap a picture of the component and provide you with a printout to bring to the maintenance task.

Purchase Car Insurance

In Italy, car insurance premiums are still highly high, and payouts are frequently delayed. Therefore, investing time and energy to find the proper coverage and pricing for you is worthwhile. Third-party liability insurance (responsabilità civile) is required for all automobiles in Italy. The required minimum is relatively little insurance, but you may add extras like fire and theft coverage (incendio, furto), insurance for the driver in the event of an accident for which the driver has responsibility, and roadside assistance (Servizio Assistenza).

Because comprehensive insurance (casco) is so costly in Italy, native Italians seldom get it. Some businesses even refuse to offer this form of insurance for vehicles that are more than four years old. Italian insurance is further costly since no-claims bonuses accumulated in the UK are not recognized there. You’ll have to start over. The majority of ex-pats begin their search for auto insurance online by checking out recognizable business names. But expensive brands also frequently have significant names. It could be advisable for you to visit the office of a nearby insurance agent who can show you comparative rates from several insurers.

Registering Your Vehicle

The car must be registered (or registration should be in process), and the licence plates must be changed within 180 days if it has been operated in Italy for more than 60 days with foreign licence plates and the owner lives continuously in Italy. If this is not the case, the car is impounded and may soon face legal repercussions.

For breaking the law, fines of up to 7,953 euros may be issued.

Using the car while it is being registered is prohibited. Penalties may also be imposed for violations of this clause.

If a company or a qualified manufacturer agent mediates the purchase of a new car, they may also mediate the registration (of course, for an intermediation fee).

Registering A Vehicle With The Public Vehicle Register (Pubblico Registro Automobilistico – PRA)

Applications must be submitted on grounds authorized by the Automobile Club of Italy (PRA – Public Vehicle Register). A certificate of ownership may be obtained here.

Despite the fact that this document is not necessary for the operation of the vehicle, the owner must retain it safely since it can be required for any future enquiries at the “PRA” – Public Vehicle Register (change in ownership, export of the vehicle, report of loss, etc.)

Rented out or hired to third parties by a business with a permanent or temporary seat outside of Italy based in another member state of the EU or the EFTA.

An individual resident hires it in Italy for work-related purposes or in collaboration with a business that has a permanent or temporary office outside of Italy but is a member of the EU or the EFTA.

In any scenario, remember that you must have vehicle documentation signed by the holder and bears the date of that person’s authorization to operate the vehicle.

Registering The Vehicles Originating From Outside Of The EU

At the STA counter (Sportello Telematico dell’Automobilista), applications cannot be filed.

Vehicles imported into the EU and those imported from outside the EU go through a similar registration process. Before passing the Department of Transportation’s technical examination, vehicles must first be registered at the District Police Department (UMC- Motorizzazione Civile).

The vehicle must complete a “revision” (individual vehicle approval) at the Department of Transportation’s request to receive a registration certificate.

The technical condition of the vehicle and its compliance with Italian requirements are examined during this examination. The waiting period is estimated to last one month.

The car is returned to the owner with specified adjustments needed in the event that it does not comply with the standards. The car cannot be registered unless the necessary changes have been made and approved.

The District Police Department is required to issue new vehicle documentation within 30 business days once the vehicle has been modified under Italian standards.

Registering The Vehicle At The District Police Department (UMC- Motorizzazione Civile)

The District Police Department is where the application must be sent (Motorizzazione Civile – UMC). New licence plates and a registration certificate are provided following the technical examination.

The car must thus be registered in the Public Vehicle Register (Pubblico Registro Automobilistico – PRA).

The following paperwork must be presented concerning registration:

A copy of the purchase agreement or a certificate of ownership in Italian has been notarized or validated by an appropriate body.
A copy of the buyer’s ID or another form of identification.
Italian residency permit.
Vehicle’s registration certificate (a foreign one or even an Italian one)
There is no registration certificate required for “new” cars.
A certificate of non-conformity or a declaration of compliance made by the manufacturer’s representative.
The NP2D form is available online, directly on the ACI website, at the STA counter, and on the grounds of the District Police Department (UMC).
If the seller is a legal entity (a corporation, an organization, etc.), that entity must have the appropriate authority.
Non-EU nationals submitting a renewal application must also provide a copy of an expired residence document or a residency document that is currently valid. Documents proving long-term residence are also acceptable.
It is permissible to provide a copy of a family member’s residence permit in the EU or a copy of their permanent residency permit in the EU if the seller is a non-EU citizen and has family members who are EU citizens residing in Italy.

Buying Your License Plates

According to the law, only the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato and municipal motor vehicle departments are authorized to produce and distribute Italian licence plates. You will receive authentic Italian licence plates at the end of your vehicle’s registration.

The current design of an Italian licence plate features white text with black letters.

A blue area of the plate’s left side is adorned with 12 yellow stars arranged in a circle. The EU flag is shown on the plate in this design, signifying Italy’s participation in the EU. The letter “I,” which is Italy’s international car registration code, is inscribed in white beneath the circle of stars, still on the blue portion.

Another blue strip with a yellow circle is on the plate’s right side. In addition to the year the vehicle was registered (in the yellow circle), this blue strip may have a two-letter code designating the Italian province where the registration occurred.

Car owners may choose to display any or both of the vehicle’s province codes and registration year. To quickly comprehend an Italian licence plate, study the list of Italian provinces and their codes.

The term “ROMA” will be used in place of the typical two-letter provincial code if a vehicle is registered in Italy’s capital city of Rome. Over the provincial code, other provinces, like Trento, Bolzano, and Aosta Valley, also display their coats of arms.

An Italian licence plate’s registration character format is only a serial code that rises in value in the order that cars are registered, not based on the location or the registration date.

The registration code consists of seven digits, divided into three groups: two letters, three numbers, and two letters. The letters “I,” “O,” “Q,” and “U” are not permitted on Italian licence plates.

You must notify the police immediately if one or both of your Italian licence plates are lost, stolen, or damaged. You must submit an application to reregister your car with the UMC and PRA if the licence plates are not found 15 days after you report them missing. You will receive new licence plates and an ownership certificate after reregistering (DU).

How Much Does The Whole Process Cost?

The fees for the registration of cars in Italy and getting new license plates are as follows:

Regional fee: Depending on the region and the kind of vehicle
Automobile Club d’Italia (ACI) fee: €27
Stamp duty for new registration certificate: €32
Stamp duty for PRA registration: €32
DTT fee:€10.2
Cost of a license plate: Depending on the region and the kind of vehicle

Can You Register A Car In Italy Online?

No, you can not. You must register the vehicle (Ufficio della Motorizzazione Civile) at the Office of Motor Vehicles. The act of sale will be recorded with the ACI Public Registry Office. ‘

Whatever type of vehicle you have, new, second-hand, or brought from another country, you may easily register it by following these few simple steps mentioned above.

Conclusion

The registration of a car is crucial to its ownership in Italy. The usage of cars on Italian highways is prohibited without formal registration. However, it is already registered if you are purchasing a used vehicle. Therefore you may continue with the ownership transfer without finishing this step. On how to register your car, we have developed a comprehensive guide.