New Obligations

Scooters, everything you need to know about registration and insurance

How to do it, how much to pay to comply and how to avoid mistakes, ahead of the first deadline on 16 May. Two more months to make sure

by Silvio Scotti

5 May 2026

4' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

Key points

Requesting and obtaining licence plates
Mounting of number plates
Insurance clause
Calendar of deadlines

4' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

The new obligations for number plates (with sticker) and insurance for electric scooters are about to take effect. The fixed date is Saturday 16 May, but then came a two-month extension, relating only to insurance coverage. If one then considers that the law providing for these obligations (177/2024) came into force on 14 December 2024, and that some scooter owners have already taken out a policy for their vehicles some time ago, one realises that it is good to summarise what really needs to be done and by when, and to clarify what sanctions one faces if one does not do so.

Why such a complicated framework to regulate means as simple as scooters? It is normal, when it comes to establishing a structured regulation for something that was previously regulated the bare minimum. Just think of what already happened 20 years ago for 'mopeds' (mopeds, in technical jargon).

In fact, a new system, based on databases that have to be created from scratch, has to be detailed and put into operation. And this is why, from 14 December 2024, an administrative march towards the result required by Law 177 has begun, a marathon with obligatory stages, aimed at making the obligations effective and aligning them with the complex existing regulatory framework.

Leaving aside the various decrees that have followed to achieve the goal, we can try to give an overview of the current situation, with some fears as to its finality.

In order to comply, three concurrent fulfilments must be carried out. Therefore, a precise time sequence must be followed, which we describe below.

Requesting and obtaining licence plates

Owners of scooters have to apply for a badge (commonly called a countermark) in order to be able to drive in compliance with the regulations. The sticker can be applied for by logging on to the Driver's Portal - online services - scooters - identification sticker, following the rather clear instructions. In the event of unfamiliarity with the digital services or difficulty in collecting the sticker, the user can turn to the car practice agencies.

The costs of cash-on-delivery, for those who handle the file directly, are close to 35 euro and are composed as follows:

- eUR 8.66 for production cost, VAT and surcharge;

- 16 euros for stamp duty;

- 10.20 euro for motorisation fees.

Once the request has been made on the Portal, you wait for a confirmation e-mail. After that you log back on to the Portal to make an appointment with the provincial motor vehicle office where you wish to collect the sticker. The Portal invites you to set a date before 16 May: evidently they are trying to avoid last-minute extensions. It will be seen whether the offices will really have sufficient availability of appointments.

Should one turn to a car practice agency, online one can find offers of support for the practice averaging around EUR 80. It should be pointed out that each operator can legitimately ask for the fee he or she considers: there is free competition.

Circulation without a mark, as of 16 May next, will be punished with an administrative fine of 100 to 400 euros; in addition, if the scooter is equipped with a heat or electric motor with a power exceeding 1 kW, the vehicle will be confiscated.

Mounting of number plate

Once the sticker has been obtained, it will be necessary to attach it to the vehicle, in the manner laid down by ministerial regulations issued in recent months. The Motorist Portal explains them in detail and then summarises them clearly: "The affixing must be visible and permanent in the slot on the rear wing or, in its absence, on the steering column, respecting orientation, verticality and legibility."

Insurance settlement

It will also allow an insurance contract to be concluded. Confusions and mistakes in good faith are to be expected: several policies are offered on the web, at very good rates, that cover risks related to scooters. But in many cases they fall under the traditional liability insurance policy of the so-called head of the family, whereas the obligation is only and only fulfilled by taking out a formal motor third-party liability insurance pursuant to Article 2054 of the Civil Code, with the limits and guarantees laid down by law.

In the absence of appropriate insurance cover, an administrative penalty of 100 to 400 euros will be imposed.

The calendar of deadlines

At first, with the issuing of the latest ministerial decree on how to apply for the sticker, news had spread that the deadline of the obligations would coincide with 16 May. Then yet another circular (from the Ministry of Enterprise and Made in Italy, Mimit) with 'Indications on the commencement of the insurance obligation for scooters with predominantly electric propulsion referred to in Article 1, paragraph 75-vicies quinquies of Law no. 160 of 27 December 2019, as amended by Law no. 177 of 25 November 2024', postponed the insurance coverage obligation by60 days (to 16 July).

The original date for marking remains confirmed: 16 May.

But on the insurance obligation there is some uncertainty. The postponement circular states that 'insurance companies will have to offer policies for motor insurance cover for scooters compulsorily from the sixtieth day following the provision of Article 14, paragraph 5, of the 6 March 2026 Directorial Decree, i.e. from 16 July 2026'. But it is legitimate to wonder whether the same deadline concerns not only the companies (which the circular mentions) but also the users (not mentioned). We trust that Mimit, in its very useful Faq page on scooters, will resolve the small doubt.