Expired roadworthiness test: what to do before using your car

If your car’s roadworthiness test has expired, book a test straight away and do not use the vehicle for ordinary journeys. Under Article 80, a vehicle that has not been presented for testing is suspended from circulation; in the cases allowed, you may drive directly to a testing centre or UMC.

Check the date and book a test

Check the date of the last test on the vehicle documents and through the Portale dell’Automobilista service. Ordinary cars follow the schedule set out in Article 80; if the due date has passed, contact an authorised centre or the UMC and ask for the earliest available appointment. A booking is not a valid roadworthiness test.

If you have recently bought a car, also check that its details and the record of the previous test result are correct. The Portale’s online service shows tests carried out since 1 June 2018; for earlier tests, contact the relevant office. Do not rely on a message from the seller or a reminder without supporting documents.

How to get to the test

Article 80 suspends the vehicle from circulation until it has been tested and allows it to make the journey solely to the authorised provider or competent office for the test. This does not permit you to use the car for work, errands or a longer journey. Carry your booking confirmation and take a direct route.

If the vehicle has a fault or is unsafe, do not drive it to the centre: ask for assistance or transport. In special cases, such as an annual periodic test or a suspension already recorded on the documents, follow the conditions in the relevant order and ask the UMC. A telephone confirmation of an appointment does not cancel a separate suspension that has already been imposed.

After the test

Have the test carried out and keep the certificate showing the result. If the vehicle does not pass, follow the requirements for repairs and a retest; do not drive beyond what the report permits. Ask the centre when the result will be available and check that it has been recorded correctly.

If you have already been stopped and reported for driving with an expired test, read the notice and any endorsement on the vehicle documents. Passing a later test does not automatically cancel the penalty or any measures imposed. For deadlines and challenges, contact the authority named in the notice or a professional, and keep your receipts and test certificate.

Quiz Patente Ufficiale offers practice tests and chapter-by-chapter revision of road rules, separate from vehicle testing procedures.