Legislation on historic cars: this is how it works, between requirements and advantages

For Italian law, are historic cars and vintage cars the same thing? What requirements must a vehicle have to qualify as a Historic and Collectible Car? What are the advantages of a machine certified as historic? Below, an in-depth analysis to better orient yourself in the fascinating vintage world of cars that made history.

The charm of a car does not fade with the passage of time, especially if it is cared for with passion and attention. Historic cars , in fact, retain a unique beauty, also because they are indelible testimony of the period in which they were conceived. Owning a car with historical value , therefore, is a real privilege, which those who love cars know how to appreciate. Among other things, precisely because of their importance, which transcends economic evaluation, historic cars are subject to particular legislation , which recognizes certain tax advantages for their owners. To be able to access it, however, the car must meet certain requirements .

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When a car becomes a historic car: the requirements

In fact, it is the law that indicates the characteristics that a vehicle must have in order to be defined as historic. In particular, the relevant rule is article 60 of the Highway Code which governs two types of vehicles: vintage cars and cars of historical and collectible interest (which are often confused with each other). According to this provision:

The category of motor vehicles and vehicles of historical and collectible interest all include those registered in one of the following registers: ASI, Storico Lancia, Italian FIAT, Italian Alfa Romeo, Storico FMI”.

The Highway Code, however, is not very exhaustive in terms of the requisites needed to certify the historical and collectible interest of a car and therefore obtain its inclusion in the aforementioned registers. The indication of these requirements, however, can be found elsewhere, such as in the regulations of the Italian Historical Automotoclub (ASI). A car is historic if:

  • at least 20 years have passed since its registration ;
  • it has bodywork, chassis and engine conforming to the original ;
  • it is in good condition .

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The advantages of a historic car: what can be done and what cannot be done

Once the historic car has been certified as such, it can access the legislation that concerns it and also the related tax advantages . As regards the possibility of driving on the road, the reference standard is always article 60 of the Highway Code:

Vehicles of historical or collectible interest can circulate on the roads as long as they meet the requirements for this type of vehicle, determined by the regulation.

Historic cars , therefore, can be used , except for professional or commercial activities. This is the biggest difference from classic cars , which, on the contrary, cannot drive.

As for the tax benefits, they were partially reduced by the 2015 Stability Law . Up to that date, in fact, all historic cars benefited from significant reductions in the costs of the road tax and insurance policy . Advantages that are now reserved only for historic cars over 30 years old . Specifically, these benefits materialize:

  • in the payment of a reduced tax and only if you choose to circulate the car;
  • in the payment of a very advantageous insurance policy because it has a fixed class of merit .

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