Historic vehicles: classification and applicable regulations

Historic vehicles and vintage cars represent a heritage of significant cultural and technical value. In Italy, they are protected by specific regulations that govern their classification, circulation, vehicle taxes, and insurance. The main legal framework is based on Article 60 of the Italian Highway Code (Codice della Strada), which distinguishes between different categories of vehicles and establishes precise requirements for the classification of historic vehicles.

Vintage vehicles vs. vehicles of historical and collectible interest: key differences

According to Article 60 of the Italian Highway Code, not all vehicles can be considered historic, but only the following categories:

Motor vehicles
Motorcycles
Mopeds
Agricultural machinery

Under current legislation, historic vehicles are essentially divided into two main categories:

Vintage vehicles (veicoli d’epoca)
These are mainly intended for collections or museums. They are removed from the PRA (Public Vehicle Registry) because they no longer meet the technical requirements for regular road circulation. As a result, they can only be used during authorized events.

Vehicles of historical and collectible interest
These are vehicles built at least 20 years ago, preserved in original condition, equipped with the required certifications, and registered in officially recognized historical registers. They remain registered with the PRA and may circulate on public roads, provided they comply with specific technical requirements regarding braking systems, acoustic signaling devices, silencers and exhaust pipes, visual and lighting systems, as well as tires, suspension, windows, and rear-view mirrors.

Circulation rules for historic vehicles

Vehicles of historical and collectible interest can circulate on public roads like ordinary vehicles, although they must comply with certain requirements related to safety devices and periodic inspections.

Vintage vehicles, on the other hand, are excluded from normal circulation. Their presence on public roads is allowed only during authorized events, rallies, and exhibitions, subject to specific permits and safeguards.

Vintage car insurance

Insurance policies for historic cars typically offer dedicated conditions compared to standard policies. In general, to obtain vintage car insurance with reduced premiums, it is necessary to:

Own a vehicle that is at least 20 years old and maintain its original characteristics.
Provide a Certificate of Historical Significance, which insurance companies often require in order to apply discounted rates and fixed merit classes outside the traditional bonus/malus system.

Dedicated policies can therefore result in significant savings on insurance premiums for owners who use the vehicle regularly for non-commercial purposes.

Vintage vehicle tax: what are the rules and who must pay?

The vehicle tax (bollo auto) for historic vehicles varies depending on the vehicle’s age and certification:

Vehicles over 30 years old
These vehicles are exempt from the vehicle ownership tax under national legislation, provided they are not used for professional purposes.

Vehicles between 20 and 29 years old
These vehicles may benefit from a 50% reduction in the circulation tax (bollo) if they hold a Certificate of Historical Significance (CRS) issued by one of the recognized historical registers (ASI, Storico Lancia, Italiano Fiat, Italiano Alfa Romeo, or Storico FMI) and the certification is noted on the vehicle registration document.

However, some Regions and Autonomous Provinces may apply different rules through regional legislation, including full exemptions or specific reductions.

Historic vehicles and regional legislation

Local regulations can affect the tax benefits available for historic vehicles.

In some Regions and Autonomous Provinces, such as Lombardy or Trento, exemption from the vehicle tax for vehicles aged between 20 and 29 years that are registered with the ACI Storico Register may be granted even without the requirement for the Certificate of Historical Significance to be noted on the registration document.
Other Regions may offer reductions or apply a flat circulation tax for vehicles over 30 years old that are driven on public roads.

For this reason, it is essential to verify the specific legislation of your Region of residence in order to understand the applicable requirements and available benefits.

Understanding the differences between vintage vehicles and vehicles of historical and collectible interest, as well as the related regulations, is essential in order to fully benefit from the advantages provided by law and to properly manage the documentation and obligations associated with owning and using these vehicles.