Guides
How to Get a Duplicate Vehicle Registration Certificate in Italy
How to Get a Duplicate Vehicle Registration Certificate (Libretto) in Italy
Summary:
- In case of theft, a police report is mandatory before requesting the duplicate; for loss or damage it is not required but strongly recommended.
- The procedure is handled through a Sportello Telematico dell'Automobilista (STA) — an authorised vehicle registration agency — with total costs typically between €50 and €100.
- Normal timelines range from a few days to two weeks; you receive a provisional receipt immediately that is legally valid for driving in the meantime.
Italy's carta di circolazione — commonly known as the "libretto" — is the document certifying your vehicle's registration and must be kept on board whenever you drive, under penalty of an administrative fine. Losing it, having it stolen, or accidentally destroying it are situations that happen more often than most people think, and the Italian Highway Code sets out a clear procedure for obtaining a duplicate. If you are also considering changing vehicles, you can browse used cars for sale on CarPulse.it in the meantime. This guide covers every step, realistic costs, and the timelines you should expect in 2026.
When do you need a duplicate?
There are three situations that require requesting a duplicate carta di circolazione:
- Loss: you have misplaced the document and cannot find it.
- Theft: the document was stolen — either together with the vehicle or separately (e.g. pickpocketing, theft from the car interior).
- Damage: the libretto is physically damaged — burnt, torn, or stained to the point where essential data such as the number plate, chassis number, or owner details are no longer legible.
In all three cases you cannot legally drive without the carta di circolazione — or without the provisional receipt issued by the STA at the time of filing. Article 180 of the Italian Highway Code sets a fine of €42 to €173 for driving without this document. Starting the duplicate procedure is therefore a concrete administrative urgency, not something to put off.
Police report: when is it required and how to file one
A police report (denuncia) is mandatory only in cases of theft. It can be filed at:
- Carabinieri (nearest station)
- Polizia di Stato (commissariat or questura)
- Polizia Municipale (municipal police)
For loss only, the report can also be filed online through the Italian State Police portal (poliziadistato.it), under the Denunce Online section. For theft, in-person filing is preferred because the signed receipt carries greater procedural weight.
For loss, a police report is not technically required to open the duplicate procedure, but it is strongly advised to protect yourself should the document turn up and be misused. For damage, no report is required at all: simply bring the damaged original to the STA counter.
Keep the report receipt: you will be asked to attach it to the duplicate application at the STA.
Required documents
Before visiting the Sportello Telematico dell'Automobilista, gather the following:
- Valid identity document (national ID card or passport) of the vehicle's registered owner
- Italian tax code (codice fiscale or health card)
- Copy of the police report (mandatory for theft, recommended for loss)
- Damaged original libretto (only in case of damage)
- €16 revenue stamp (marca da bollo) — some STA offices include this in their service fee
- Form TT2119 (duplicate request): most STA offices provide this directly at the counter
If the registered owner cannot attend in person, a third party may act on their behalf with a signed written proxy and a copy of the owner's identity document. Check in advance with the specific STA whether they accept proxies and what additional documentation they require.
The STA procedure step by step
The Motorizzazione Civile (Directorate General for Road Transport) no longer receives the public directly for these routine procedures: since 2001, processing has been delegated to the Sportelli Telematici dell'Automobilista (STA), which include authorised vehicle registration agencies, some notary offices, and ACI (Italian Automobile Club) provincial branches.
The practical steps are:
- Present yourself at the STA counter with all documentation listed above.
- The operator enters the application into the Ministry of Transport (MIT) IT system via a real-time telematic connection.
- You immediately receive a presentation receipt (acknowledged TT2119 form): this document serves as proof that the application has been lodged and allows you to drive legally for up to 90 days while you wait.
- The duplicate is printed at the territorially competent Motorizzazione Civile office and either sent by post or made available for collection at the counter, depending on local arrangements.
You do not need to go to the Motorizzazione Civile in person — everything goes through the telematic STA channel. If you are also thinking of selling your vehicle, list it on CarPulse.it — Italy's used-car marketplace where the carta di circolazione is one of the documents required to complete a transfer of ownership.
Costs: stamps, fees and agency commission
The total cost for obtaining a duplicate carta di circolazione breaks down into three components:
| Item | Indicative amount |
|---|---|
| Revenue stamp — marca da bollo (D.P.R. 642/1972) | €16.00 |
| Motorizzazione fee (ministerial tariff) | €9.00 – €11.00 |
| STA agency commission | €30 – €70 |
The typical total falls between €55 and €97, depending on the province and agency. Agency commissions vary freely, so it is perfectly reasonable to phone several offices and compare. The ministerial tariffs (stamp and fee) are fixed and uniform across Italy.
Some agencies advertise all-inclusive prices that incorporate the stamp duty, while others quote only their own commission. Always ask for the full final cost before committing.
Processing timelines
Timelines depend primarily on the workload of the locally competent Motorizzazione Civile and the delivery method chosen:
- Provisional receipt: immediate, issued at the STA counter on the spot. Valid for up to 90 days.
- Definitive duplicate by post: typically 5 to 15 working days in major northern Italian cities; up to 20–30 working days in certain southern provinces or during peak periods.
- Counter collection at Motorizzazione: not always available; where offered, timelines are similar or slightly faster.
While waiting for the definitive duplicate you can drive normally with the STA receipt: keep it on board at all times, exactly as you would the original carta di circolazione.
FAQ — Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive without the carta di circolazione while waiting for the duplicate?
Yes. The presentation receipt issued by the STA (acknowledged TT2119 form) is a provisional document valid for driving for up to 90 days. Keep it on board at all times until the definitive duplicate arrives.
What happens if I find the original libretto after requesting a duplicate?
Once the duplicate has been issued, the original document loses its validity. You cannot use both simultaneously. If the duplicate has already been delivered, the recovered original must be surrendered to the Motorizzazione or your STA. Holding onto it could cause problems during a roadside check. If the procedure has not yet been completed, you can in theory withdraw your request by contacting the STA promptly.
Does a damaged but still legible libretto need to be replaced?
Not necessarily, if the key data — number plate, chassis number, owner details, homologation — are still clearly readable. The law requires replacement only when damage renders the information illegible. That said, a visibly degraded document can attract scrutiny during roadside checks. Weigh whether the €55–97 cost of a duplicate is not simpler than risking future complications.
Can a company request a duplicate for a company-owned vehicle?
Yes, but the application must be submitted by the company's legal representative or by an authorised proxy who brings a signed power of attorney and an up-to-date company registry extract (no more than three months old). Some STA offices also require the company stamp on the proxy form. Contact your local STA in advance to confirm the exact requirements for your province.
Conclusion
Getting a duplicate carta di circolazione is not a complicated process, but it does require organised paperwork and a degree of patience with processing times. The key takeaway is to act quickly: the provisional receipt lets you keep driving from day one, but the definitive document can take weeks, so the sooner you file, the sooner you receive it. If you are at the stage of considering selling the vehicle — perhaps to upgrade to a newer model — bear in mind that a transfer of ownership cannot be completed without a valid carta di circolazione. You can already check your vehicle's market value using the free valuation tool on CarPulse.it or browse available cars on CarPulse.it — Italy's used-car marketplace that simplifies every step of buying and selling.