Stop cars with Polish plates, Italian RC cars will be mandatory

The Italian government has announced plans to end the practice of using foreign license plates, commonly known as “esterovestizione”, by making it mandatory for vehicles registered abroad to have Italian compulsory insurance. This measure, part of a broader overhaul of Italy’s traffic code, aims to curb the widespread misuse of foreign registration plates, particularly in southern regions like Naples, where such practices have been prevalent. Under the proposed changes, vehicles with foreign license plates will need to be registered in the Register of Foreign Vehicles (Reve) and must carry Italian-compliant insurance. The new rules would apply to cars owned by residents in Italy who have used them for more than three months, requiring them to either be officially registered in Italy or remain under the supervision of the Reve system. The proposal was outlined in a draft version of the updated Traffic Code, which the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport has circulated for consultation with industry associations, who are due to respond by September 13 before a final version is released by October 14, 2026. The issue has already drawn attention from officials. Tullio Ferrante, a deputy secretary at the ministry, told the Corriere del Mezzogiorno that the improper use of foreign license plates is especially rampant in the south, where many individuals exploit the system to avoid local regulations. He emphasized that the ministry intends to take decisive action, ensuring that anyone regularly using a vehicle with a foreign plate in Italy must be traceable through proper documentation, including Italian insurance or authorization from an approved insurer. In response to the growing concern, Prefect Michele Di Bari in Naples has ordered targeted police checks aimed at identifying vehicles falsely registered outside Italy. These inspections aim to detect cases of illegal registration and impose fines along with administrative seizure of the offending vehicles. The situation has long been a point of discussion, with initial attempts to regulate the practice introduced in 2018 via the Security Decree, which imposed restrictions on foreign-registered vehicles owned by Italians living within the country. Further amendments were made in 2023 with Article 93-bis of the Traffic Code, which banned the circulation of foreign-registered vehicles by Italian residents who had lived in the country for over three months and required registration for vehicles owned by foreigners circulating in Italy for more than 30 days annually. With the new code still in its drafting phase, additional requirements are being considered. Once fully implemented, vehicles with foreign plates will be required to obtain coverage from an Italian insurance company or one authorized to operate in Italy. This change is expected to significantly reduce the number of vehicles operating under false foreign registrations, thereby improving road safety and compliance with national laws. The move reflects a broader effort to tighten control over vehicle registration and insurance in Italy, addressing concerns raised by both law enforcement and regulatory bodies. While the exact implementation date remains unclear, the proposed reforms signal a shift toward stricter oversight of foreign-registered vehicles, particularly those used by Italian residents. As discussions continue, the outcome could mark a major step in regulating the use of foreign license plates in the country.