Easiest Way To Own An Endorsed Italy License Plate

In Italy, it is illegal to drive your imported used car for more than 60 days without registering it with the transport authorities.

Since the registration process can be time-consuming, it is important to begin as soon as you arrive in Italy with your car, so you can get an Italy license plate as early as possible.

How Does The Italy Car Registration System Work?

Before registering your imported car in Italy, your vehicle needs to undergo a technical inspection to ensure that it conforms with Italian vehicle standards.

Afterwards, you need to visit the vehicle registration office in your district (Ufficio Provinciale della Motorizzazione Civile, also called the UMC) for registration.

After the registration process at the UMC is complete, you will be given a registration certificate. Then, your next step is to register with the Public Vehicle Register (Pubblico Registro Automobilistico, also called the PRA).

Here is a list of documents that you need to submit when registering:

• NP2D form.
• Italian residence permit for non-EU citizens. Non-EU citizens can also submit a copy of their family member’s residence card if the family member is an EU citizen living in Italy.
• A valid ID, such as an international passport.
• The vehicle registration certificate from the car’s previous country (new cars are exempt).
• A European Certificate of Conformity issued by the vehicle’s manufacturer (for new vehicles). You can order yours here.
• Tax documents.

If your documents are in a foreign language, you will need to get them officially translated before submission.

After registering at the PRA, you will be given an official ownership document, marking the completion of your car registration process.

How To Apply For Italy Number Plates?

At the end of your vehicle’s registration, you will be issued Italian car plates that conform to the official standards.

Fees

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

What Do Italy Car Number Plates Look Like?

The current appearance of an Italy license plate consists of black characters on a white background. 

On the left side of the plate is a blue section decorated with 12 yellow stars in the shape of a circle. This design on the plate represents the EU flag, denoting Italy’s membership of the European Union. Still on the blue section, and underneath the circle of stars is the letter ‘I’ written in white, which is the international vehicle registration code of Italy.

On the right side of the plate is another blue strip with a yellow circle. This blue strip can also contain the year the vehicle was registered (in the yellow circle) and a two-letter code that represents the Italian province of registration.

However, it is optional for car owners to display either or both the vehicle’s registration year and its provincial code. You can explore the complete list of Italian provinces and their codes to easily understand an Italian license plate.

If a vehicle is registered in Rome, the capital of Italy, the word ‘ROMA’ will be used instead of the regular two-letter provincial code. Some other provinces like Aosta Valley, Bolzano, and Trento also include their coat of arms above the provincial code.

Format Of Italy Number Plates

The registration character format for an Italy license plate is not dependent on the region or date of registration but is simply a serial code that increases in the order by which vehicles are registered.

There are 7 digits in the registration code and they are split into three – two letters, three numbers, and two letters. The letters ‘I’, ‘O’, ‘Q’, and ‘U’ are excluded from Italian number plates.

In 1999, the registration system was restructured, and the numbering begins from ‘BB 000HH’.

What Types Of Italy License Plates Exist?

There are license plates in Italy that differ from the regular Italy number plate format. For instance, diplomatic plates in Italy have blue letters instead of black. Also, plates belonging to the Italian Army, Navy, and Air Force have red-coloured prefixes – ‘El’, ‘MM’, and ‘AM’ respectively.

Can I Change My Italy Plate Number?

If one or both of your Italian license plates are missing, stolen, or damaged, you should report it to the police immediately. If the plates are not recovered 15 days after your reporting, you will need to apply to re-register your vehicle at both the UMC and PRA.

After re-registering, you will be given new license plates and a new ownership certificate (DU).