The historic license plate decree represents a provision that is very close to the hearts of all vintage car enthusiasts. Because the license plate is not just a document but constitutes a fundamental part of the vehicle’s history!
Vintage car enthusiasts have always been famous for the meticulous care with which they preserve theirs collector’s vehicles. Sometimes, however, it happens that all this attention is not enough and, for various reasons, the license plate must be replaced with a new one. Until recently this constituted a real ‘drama’: the European license plates with blue bands do not fit well with the lines of vehicles built many years ago, perhaps prepared for the famous square plates.
Of course, it was already possible to request a new license plate, but the original alphanumeric sequence would still have been lost, together with the vehicle documents and a fundamental part of its history.
Historic plaques decree: here’s how it works
On November 25th it came into force implementing decree no. 468thanks to which owners of historic vehicles can request license plates and documents similar to the originals. This decree constitutes the implementing regulation of law no. 178 of 30 December 2020, which led to the modification of thearticle 93 of the Highway Code, allowing an exemption for the release of duplicates conforming to the original of period documents. However, the legislation provides for very specific cases in which it is possible to request it:
– Vehicles (Cars, motorbikes and agricultural vehicles) already registered in Italy and officially removed (due to non-payment of stamp duty), for export, for collection on private land (only if carried out by 26 April 2006), for demolition (before 30 June 1998). Vehicles for which state incentives for scrapping have been provided cannot benefit from the decree.
– Vehicles registered in Italy and never taken out of circulationfor which a request for re-registration with a historic plate is submitted.
– Vehicles without license plates and documentswhich have not been deregistered or subsequently re-registered in Italy.
– Vehicles victim of theft, loss, destruction or deterioration of the license plate itself.
First phase of testing
The historic plaques decree will initially start through an initial testing phase. From November 27 to January 5, 2024 it will be possible to make a request at a limited number of registration offices (or re-registration) of historic and collector’s vehicles, not subject to the obligation to register with the PRA. Once this trial period is over, let’s go from 8 January 2024it will be possible to proceed at the civil motor vehicle officesor through the motorist’s electronic help desks.
This measure represents a further important step guarantee for conservation of the historical Italian automotive heritage, recognized throughout the world for quality and variety. A great commitment carried out by ASI together with the many enthusiasts who have always believed in the historical and cultural value of vintage vehicles and their active conservation.
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