Italian Car Roadworthiness Test (Revisione): Deadlines, Costs and What They Check in 2026

---

Summary:

• The first roadworthiness test (revisione) is due 4 years after a car's first registration, then every 2 years — missing deadlines means heavy fines and potential loss of insurance coverage.
• You can have the test done at the official Motorizzazione Civile offices or at any authorised private inspection centre; the ministerial fee is fixed, but private centres add a call-out charge.
• Before buying a used car in Italy, always check that the revisione is still valid: browse verified listings on CarPulse.it and compare hundreds of documented vehicles.

---

Italy's periodic roadworthiness test — known as the revisione — is one of the most important (and most misunderstood) obligations for drivers on Italian roads. Many car owners don't know exactly when it falls due, what the current fee is, or what the consequences are if they let it lapse. If you're considering buying a used car in Italy, checking the revisione status is the single most important pre-purchase step. On CarPulse.it you can find thousands of listings with documented vehicle histories, including the date of the last inspection. This guide covers everything you need: precise deadlines, 2026 fees, inspection points, and legal consequences for non-compliance.

When the revisione is due: precise deadlines

The roadworthiness test schedule is set by Article 80 of the Italian Highway Code (Codice della Strada) and applies uniformly to all private passenger vehicles registered in Italy:

• First test: within 4 years of the date of first registration. If the car was first registered on 10 March 2022, the first revisione must be completed by 10 March 2026.
• Subsequent tests: every 2 years from the date the last test was passed.

Important: the date that counts is the original registration date, not the date you bought the car. If you purchase a used car that was registered three years ago, you'll have only one year before the first test is due — or it may already have lapsed and need immediate renewal.

Light commercial vehicles (up to 3.5 t), taxis, and buses are subject to more frequent tests. This guide focuses on private passenger cars (category M1).

The expiry date falls on the exact same day and month as the original registration date. If that date falls on a Sunday or public holiday, you may bring the car in on the next working day.

Where to get it done: Motorizzazione Civile or private centre

There are two state-recognised options:

1. Motorizzazione Civile (MIT): the provincial offices of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport. Waiting times for appointments can be long in major cities (4–8 weeks), but the fee is the baseline ministerial rate.
2. Authorised private inspection centres (officine convenzionate): garages, dealerships, and inspection centres accredited by the Motorizzazione. They are far more widely distributed across the country and typically offer appointments within a few days. They charge the same ministerial fee plus a fixed diritto di chiamata (call-out charge) set by decree.

In both cases the outcome is official and carries identical legal weight. The test result is recorded in the MIT's national vehicle database, updating the car's official record.

To find an authorised centre near you, check the Motorizzazione portal or search "centro revisione autorizzato" plus your city. Many centres offer online booking.

What inspectors check during the revisione

The revisione covers over 400 check points grouped into the following main areas, following EU requirements (Directive 2014/45/EU, transposed into Italian law):

Brakes

The braking system is the most critical area. The technician measures braking efficiency on a roller brake tester (checking deceleration), assesses the condition of brake pads and discs (or drums), verifies symmetry between wheels on the same axle, inspects the handbrake, and checks ABS if fitted.

Lights and signalling devices

High beams, dipped headlights (alignment and intensity), position lights, brake lights, reverse lights, turn indicators, number plate lights, and hazard lights are all inspected. Even a misaligned headlight or a single blown bulb can cause a fail.

Emissions

For petrol engines, CO and HC (unburnt hydrocarbons) concentrations are measured from the exhaust at a warm engine and set engine speeds. For diesels, smoke opacity (light absorption coefficient) is measured. Limits depend on the vehicle's Euro emissions category: a Euro 6 vehicle has far tighter thresholds than a Euro 1.

Tyres and wheels

Inspectors check the remaining tread depth (legal minimum 1.6 mm, but flags are raised below 3 mm), the absence of cuts, bulges, or sidewall damage, whether the tyre size matches what's stated on the vehicle registration document, and the condition of the rims.

Steering and suspension

The technician checks steering play, the condition of track rods, ball joints, shock absorbers (using a dedicated shaker plate machine), and CV joints. Worn suspension components affect road-holding and are a common cause of test failure.

Structural safety and ancillaries

Checked items include: bodywork integrity (no rust perforating structural areas), windscreen wipers and washer system, mirrors, seatbelts, horn, exhaust system (seal integrity, no leaks), chassis, and a legible number plate.

How much the revisione costs in 2026

The fee for passenger car (M1) roadworthiness tests is set by ministerial decree. In 2026 the cost structure is as follows:

• Fixed ministerial fee: approximately €45.00 (covering the MIT portion and basic inspection operations).
• Call-out charge at private centres: the ministerial decree sets the ceiling that authorised centres may add; typically €25–35 depending on the region.
• Typical total at a private centre: between €70 and €80 for most passenger cars.

If the car fails the first time, it can be brought back within 30 days without paying the full MIT fee again — only the re-inspection portion is charged. If the 30-day window lapses, the full fee applies from scratch.

Note: any repairs needed to pass (e.g. brake pads, tyres, bulbs) are not included in the inspection fee and must be budgeted separately.

Consequences of driving with an expired revisione

Driving with an expired roadworthiness certificate is not a minor infraction. The consequences are multiple and can be serious:

Administrative fines

Under Article 80(14) of the Highway Code, the fine ranges from €173 to €694 for a first offence. A repeat offence within two years can double the penalty. On top of the fine, the notice imposes an immediate obligation to obtain the test; if this is not done within 30 days, the vehicle registration document can be suspended.

Loss of insurance coverage

This is the most serious and least known risk. Many compulsory third-party (RCA) insurance policies include clauses that exclude coverage when a vehicle is driven with an expired revisione, since the car is not considered roadworthy. In the event of an accident — even one where you are not at fault — you could find yourself without compensation for damage to your own vehicle and, critically, without liability cover for damage to third parties, leaving you personally liable. Always check the specific terms of your policy.

Vehicle impoundment

A traffic officer can order the immediate impoundment of the vehicle if they consider it unsafe to be on the road. The vehicle is then taken to a garage for inspection and released only after passing.

How to check the revisione before buying a used car

When purchasing a used car, verifying the revisione status is as essential as checking the mileage or confirming there are no outstanding liens. Here's how:

1. Vehicle registration document (carta di circolazione): shows the date of the last revisione. Confirm it has not expired and that the date matches what the seller says.
2. Windscreen sticker: the expiry month and year sticker affixed after each passed test. Be wary of counterfeit stickers.
3. Motorizzazione portal: on the MIT website you can enter the vehicle's plate and check the official revisione expiry date in the national database. This is the most reliable method.
4. PRA check (ACI): in addition to the revisione, this lets you verify ownership, mortgages, administrative seizures, and unpaid taxes — essential before any purchase.

Browse verified used car listings on CarPulse.it: every listing includes documented vehicle information, so you can filter and compare with confidence before going to see the car in person.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Italy's periodic roadworthiness test is far more than a bureaucratic box to tick — it's a safety guarantee for you, your passengers, and everyone else on the road. Keeping up with the schedule — 4 years for the first test, then every 2 years — also protects your insurance coverage and keeps you clear of fines that can exceed €600. If you're buying a used car, always verify the revisione status before signing anything. Start your search on CarPulse.it: find listings with transparent documentation, filter cars with a valid roadworthiness certificate, and compare the best offers on the Italian market. Buying informed is the simplest way to avoid unwelcome surprises.