Description
Article 93 of the Highway Code states that vehicles, in order to circulate, are subject to double registration with
1. the National Vehicle Register set up at the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, for the issue of registration documents, i.e. registration certificate and registration plate.
2. the PRA Registry for the registration of deeds relating to vehicle ownership, usufruct and leasing.
As of 1 January 2020, data on vehicle ownership and legal status are recorded in the vehicle registration certificate, which constitutes the Single Vehicle Registration and Ownership Document (DU).
From that date, a certificate of ownership will no longer be issued for all vehicles registered (or to be registered) with the PRA (mopeds, agricultural and operating machinery and trailers with a total mass of less than 3500 kg are excluded from the DU).
The new procedures provide for the issue of a receipt containing all the data of the 'not valid for circulation' registration certificate, printed on white A4 paper, preparatory to the printing of the final DU. The procedure is completed with the issue of the Unified Document (DU), which consists of the registration certificate in which the data on the legal and patrimonial situation of motor vehicles, motorbikes and trailers subject to registration with the PRA are recorded. These data are shown in the bottom right-hand corner of the 4th box on the first page, the progressive PRA repertory number, the date and type of deed for ownership, any liens or encumbrances on the vehicle, and the number of sheets making up the DU.
For the issue of the final DU it is necessary to apply to public and private STAs (motor vehicle practice agencies, ACI or PRA); at present the DMV can issue the final DU only in the event of correction of technical data on a previous DU.
The procedure for registering vehicles used for the carriage of goods for the use of third parties of any overall mass or licensed for the carriage of goods on own account, i.e. with an overall mass of more than 6,000 kg (lorry/trailer, trailer or semi-trailer) is described below.
The prerequisites for issuing a registration certificate are:
for own-account vehicles:
- Own-account goods transport licence, which is granted for each motor vehicle with a total mass of more than 6,000 kg and also applies to trailers and semi-trailers towed by them that are at the disposal of the same company.
for vehicles used for the transport of goods on behalf of third parties (both tractor units and trailers):
- Sufficient and regular registration in the Road Haulage Register and/or in the REN
- Sufficient and valid financial standing
- Regularity in the payment of the annual registration fee in the Road Haulage Register
In order to circulate, motor vehicles, motorbikes and trailers must be fitted with a registration certificate and a number plate containing the registration data. The relevant motor vehicle registration office registers the vehicle and issues the registration certificate in the name of the person who declares himself to be the owner of the vehicle, indicating, where applicable, also the particulars of the usufructuary or lessee with the option to purchase (leasing) or the seller with reservation of title. In the case of vehicles subject to registration in the P.R.A., the vehicle registration certificate shall record the data certifying the ownership and legal status of the vehicle.