An end to ‘Polish number plates’: Italian motor insurance now compulsory
The new Highway Code introduces stringent measures to tackle the practice of using foreign insurance, requiring Italian insurance cover and cross-checks with Poland
The phenomenon of ‘Polish number plates’ – technically known as ‘foreign registration’ – may now have its days numbered. This is what emerges from the draft text of the new Highway Code, on which industry associations are still working and are due to give their views by 13 September.
The phenomenon of Polish number plates has been widespread in our country for some time, particularly in Campania, where motor insurance premiums are high due to the large number of accidents. This practice is intended to save money, but is also used to avoid any fines for traffic offences.
The use of foreign vehicles in Italia was initially regulated by the 2018 Security Decree, which had introduced, with certain exceptions, a ban on the use of vehicles registered abroad and owned by residents of Italia.
Subsequently, Article 93-bis of the Highway Code introduced a ban on foreign vehicles owned by persons who have been resident in Italia for more than three months, and a registration requirement for those registered in the name of overseas residents and used on Italian roads for more than 30 days in a year, even if these days are not consecutive. According to the basic text of the new Highway Code, once a vehicle has been entered in the register, the owner will also be obliged to take out insurance cover with an Italian insurer or one authorised to operate in Italy.
Finally, precisely to tackle the issue of Polish number plates, according to a report in *Quattroruote*, since 13 August, the Ministry of the Interior has been allowing the Italian authorities to access Polish government portals to check, in real time, vehicle registration documents, motor vehicle liability insurance policies and driving licences issued in Poland.
