Expired car inspection in Italy: fines and fixes

If your car's periodic inspection (the Italian revisione) has expired, the key fact is that the law gives no grace period: from the day after the deadline the vehicle is non-compliant. This guide explains what you risk, what to do right away and how to avoid paying twice. The figures come from sources published between late 2025 and April 2026 and should always be checked against the rates of the test centre you choose [1][2][3].

When the inspection really expires

For a private car, the first inspection is due within four years of first registration, then every two years. The new two-year cycle starts from the month and year of the test you actually did, not from the old deadline [1]. Annual inspections apply to taxis, NCC hire cars, ambulances, buses and vehicles above 3.5 tonnes. Motorcycles and mopeds, including 125s, are covered too [1].

The relevant date is printed on the registration document and works by month: you may drive until the last day of the month shown. If it says March, 31 March is fine and 1 April is not. There is no tolerance, and having already booked a slot changes nothing [1][2].

How much is the fine

The offence falls under article 80 of the Italian Highway Code. The base fine runs from 173 to 694 euros, according to the ACI figures reported by the sources [1][2]. Pay within five days of notification and it drops to 121.10 euros [1]. For repeat offenders, meaning the inspection was skipped more than once, the penalty can double [1][2]. No licence points are deducted, because article 80 does not provide for them [1].

Suspension from the road: the costly part

The ticket is not the only consequence. At the first stop the officer notes on the document that the vehicle is suspended from circulation, and the suspension stays until you pass the inspection [2]. The car may only be driven to reach a test centre; booking an appointment does not entitle you to use it freely [2].

If you are stopped again driving a suspended vehicle outside that route, the stakes jump: the sources indicate a fine from 1,998 to 7,993 euros, a 90-day administrative detention and confiscation for repeat cases [1]. A trivial oversight then costs far more than the inspection itself.

What about insurance?

Your compulsory third-party cover stays valid even with an expired inspection. The risk is different: after an accident the insurer can claim recourse, asking you to repay all or part of what it paid to injured parties [2]. If you are buying a used car, it is one more reason to check the date before the ownership transfer.

How much does the inspection cost

At an authorised private centre the fee is 79.02 euros, made up of 54.95 euros in tariff, 12.09 euros VAT, 10.20 euros in transport authority fees and 1.78 euros for the payment service [1]. At the public Motorizzazione office the ministry quotes about 45 euros, but waiting times are often longer [1]. An increase of 8.60 euros plus VAT has been announced, depending on a ministerial decree that had not yet appeared in the Official Gazette when the source was written [1]. Other sources mention a 2026 adjustment of the ministerial tariff without giving an exact figure [3].

Step by step

1. Check the real deadline: on the Portale dell'Automobilista, entering the plate shows the last recorded inspection and its expiry.
2. Book immediately, at an authorised garage or at the Motorizzazione, and drive straight there with no detours.
3. If you already received a ticket, consider paying within five days for the reduction [1].
4. After a pass, check that the suspension was lifted and keep the receipt.
5. Set a reminder a month ahead so it never happens again.

If the car fails

A failed test does not clear you: you get a month to repair the defects and retest, and while the inspection is overdue the suspension continues. On an older car it pays to have brakes, lights, tyres and emissions checked beforehand.

Changes coming from Europe

In 2026 the European Commission proposed updating the directives on periodic technical inspections, with more focus on emissions, electric vehicles and driver-assistance systems. The EU Council has set its position, but for Italian drivers the basic deadlines do not change yet [3].

Bottom line

No tolerance, a fine from 173 to 694 euros, suspension until you pass and a risk of insurer recourse. The cheapest way out is to book today and go straight to the centre. If you are buying a used car, always ask for the date of the last inspection: an imminent expiry is a good argument to negotiate the price.

Further reading

1. Quotidianomotori, Ogni quanto si fa la revisione auto, quanto costa e cosa rischi se è scaduta
2. ComparaSemplice, Multe per mancata revisione, 11 April 2026
3. Automobilista.it, Quali sono le novità sulla revisione auto nel 2026, 19 January 2026