Motor Vehicle Registration
Welcome to CMVRO
CMVRO is located in the Village Forum, Support Site, Capodichino
Admin.II building, and JFC Motor pool Building.
Since the military community is spread out among various locations,
transportation is a necessity in Naples. Being without a car can be
stressful on you and your family. You should plan on shipping your
car as early as possible or plan on buying a car when you arrive.
Be advised that insurance premiums are extremely expensive so
please research insurance costs prior to shipping your vehicle.
There is a substantial used car market in the Naples area and cars
are advertised in the base newspaper, Panorama, on a weekly basis.
All vehicles (imported or purchased locally) owned by U.S. military,
Department of Defenses Civilians and Contractors with approved
logistical support privileges must be registered in the Allied Forces
Italy (AFI) Vehicle Registration System maintained by the Central
Motor Vehicle Registration Office (CMVRO).
Drivers License
Any person desiring to drive in Naples must have a current stateside
driver's license or a valid license from another country. As stipulated
in the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) eligible drivers must obtain
an AFI Driver License. The AFI Driver License’s exam is given during
Area Orientation immediately following the mandatory Local Driver
Safety Orientation Briefing.
Your AFI Driver License will be valid for five years as long as you
maintain a valid ID card. AFI driver license privileges are not
authorized for members separating or retiring overseas so please
plan accordingly. We highly recommend you renew your stateside
license before coming to Italy (do not assume your state has a Military
Exemption/Extension clause, check with your local Department of
Motor Vehicles - DMV).
Individuals who do not have a license may find it difficult and expense
in obtaining one in Naples. Young adults (under 18) are not allowed to
drive in Italy. If you plan trips to other European countries an international
license may be required, available through AAA Office.
For more specific please see NASUPPACT INST. 11240.29D
Gasoline and Oil
Gasoline and oil are made available to DOD personnel in Italy on a
tax-free basis - which amounts to a substantial discount from the local
market to prices comparable to the United States. Rationed coupons
are sold through various Navy Exchange outlets in the Naples and
Gaeta area, as well as Joint Forces Command (JFC) Building L.
The basis for tax-free gasoline is the sponsor's need to commute from
home to work as an official duty. The ration amount, and rationed fuel
type, depends on the primary registered vehicle's engine size, engine
base horsepower and fuel requirement. Your tax-free fuel authorization
is either 100, 200 (engine over 660cc), 300 (engine over 1200cc), or
400 (6 cylinder engine over 2465cc) liters per month. Rations for
motorcycles may not exceed 200 liters per month. The intent of this
tax-free fuel ration is designed to allow no less than 1,000 kilometers
of tax-free travel each month. For most registrants, your tax-free fuel
ration will accommodate your transportation needs.
Purchasing, Selling and Scrapping
The sale of AFI registered vehicles, purchased locally or shipped to
Italy at government expense, are subject to the following restrictions:
* You are prohibited from selling your vehicle to Italian or other
European nationals on the local economy.
* You can sell your POV to assigned NATO personnel who are eligible
for AFI vehicle registration privileges (except Italian Military).
* You can sell your vehicle to eligible U.S. personnel that have AFI
vehicle registration privileges.
* All AFI registered vehicles must be properly disposed of prior to
your departure via the following methods:
* Sale to another AFI eligible registrant.
* Driving to your new European duty location (restrictions apply).
* Shipping your vehicle to your new duty location via government
contract or commercial shipping company.
* Scraping the vehicle with CMVRO under Italian Customs Supervision.
* Nationalization and payment of value added taxes (VAT) and
importation fees (30% or market values) for member separating or
retiring in Italy.
NOTE: If you’re on vacation or out of the local area and your vehicle
becomes inoperable due to accident or mechanical failure, please
contact CMVRO immediately. Your vehicle is under customs supervision
and cannot be salvaged locally without the payment of customs taxes
(VAT and importation) and customs brokers fees which are cost prohibitive.
Please call us for detailed information, and assistance with Italian customs
laws if you must scrap your vehicle for any reason.---We’ll save you
thousands of dollars!
Vehicle Rentals
If you plan to rent a car (after you obtain your AFI Driver License) while
you are waiting for your vehicle to arrive from the States, you may
authorized a temporary tax-free fuel ration from the CMVRO. This
temporary ration can be used to purchase tax-free gasoline and oil
coupons. Restrictions apply please contact CMVRO for specifics.
Motorcycles
If you plan on bringing your motorcycle to Italy, you must register the
vehicle in the AFI Vehicle Registration System as soon as it arrives.
Failure to register the motorcycle will limit your ability to ship the vehicle
when you PCS and can result in heavy fines from Italian Ministry of
Finance. If you plan to buy one during your tour, you will be required
to attend/pass the NSA Naples motorcycle safety course prior to operating
the motorcycle on or off base. Helmets are required and they must
meet DOT and Italian specifications. You are required to have a
motorcycle endorsement on your AFI Driver License, before you can
register any motorcycle.
Driving in Naples
Upon arrival in Naples, you may notice driving habits are considerably
different from those in the U.S. While at first there may seem to be no
logic to the traffic patterns, a closer look will show that there are distinct
rules of the road. Learning these rules and some local driving customs
will help you adjust quickly to driving in Naples. Defensive driving is a
must due to congested roads and the hurried pace of the traffic. Despite
the seemingly wild driving conditions of Neapolitan traffic, it is important
to exercise a heighten level of caution to avoid becoming an accident
statistic.
Rules of the Road
The following are some basic rules that govern driving in Italy. While
driving your AFI registered vehicle, you are required to have your AFI
Driver License, United States Identification and Privilege Card (ID),
your AFI Military Registration and Certificate of Title of Motor Vehicle
and proof of insurance in your possession. If lost or stolen, report it
immediately.
Do not pick up hitchhikers.
Many intersections have no stop lights or traffic control signals. The
vehicle on the right has the right-of-way, unless there is a stop sign.
Low beams must be on at all times. Overtaking cars, especially at
night, should briefly flash their headlights to alert the car being passed.
Flashing headlights are also used to signal the approaching vehicle of
stopped traffic at crossroads, or to signal slower vehicles to move right
and permit a faster vehicle to pass. When a car behind you flashes its
lights, move to the right lane as soon as it is safe to do so.
Although some drivers may take what seem like unnecessary and
dangerous chances to gain only a few feet of road space, Italian law
requires you to allow overtaking traffic to pass you.
While horn blowing is technically illegal in many Italian cities, it is
loosely enforced. Most people blow their horn to signal approach to
an intersection or intent to pass. Drivers also commonly use their
hazard lights to signal danger (slow or stopped traffic).
Traffic Tickets
During your tour, you may receive a traffic ticket. Italian police can issue
tickets and request payment on the spot, but your plate number could
also be taken and a ticket mailed to you at a later date. If you receive
one in the mail, do not ignore it.The fi ne you will have to pay triples
after 15 days from the day it was mailed.
If an Italian policeman along the side of the road waves what appears
to be a lollipop stick (red circle, on white disc), he's telling you to pull
over. Don't speed away because his companion is there with a
motorcycle. If you are stopped, do not be disrespectful. If a
communication gap exists and he writes you a ticket for a violation
you cannot understand, accept it and b ring it to NSA Security Police
for clarification. DSN: 626-5639 Commercial: 081-568-5639. Most
tickets can be paid on the spot.This is legal in Italy and is not a bribe.
If you elect to pay, the police officer will give you a receipt. And that's
that. You'll hear nothing more about it (keep the receipt). For the more
serious traffic violations, however, the fine cannot be paid on the spot.
These violations may result in a criminal charge. If you receive a notice
of this nature, bring it to the Naval Legal Service Office for advice and
appropriate action. DSN: 626-4576 Commercial: 081-568-4576.
Vehicle Accidents
In the event you are involved in an accident, certain procedures must
be followed. The steps to be taken will depend upon whether the
accident is classified as minor (no deaths or injuries in either vehicle)
or major (death or injury to passengers in either vehicle).
Minor Accidents
Exchange license data, name and address, insurance company, policy
number and vehicle tag numbers (insurance data is located on the
windshield insurance sticker.) Do not leave the scene until information
is exchanged. Try to obtain names and address of witnesses. Report
the incident to your insurance company within 48 hours.
It is necessary that all accidents be reported to NSA Security Department.
If the incident results in vehicle damage to private, state or municipal
property (light poles, stop signs, building, etc.) notify NSA Security Police
immediately. DSN: 626-5639 Commercial: 081-568-5639. Generally,
minor accidents are a matter between individuals and their insurance
companies.
Major Accidents
Assist injured if possible, Italian law requires that you render assistance
to anyone injured in a traffic accident whether you also were involved
in the accident or were just a passerby.
Under Italian law, you may be required, when/if possible, to transport the
injured. This should be done as rapidly and safely as possible. Your
vehicle will be regarded as an emergency vehicle when you turn on
your headlights, honk your horn, and display a white cloth or handkerchief
from the window.
Notify Security Police immediately and ask for help. Try to obtain names
and addresses of witnesses. Remain on the scene, if able, until the
accident has been investigated by the Security Police or Italian police.
In both major and minor accidents, obey the Italian authorities. They
have jurisdiction and can arrest you if you do not cooperate fully. Red
plastic triangles are required by Italian law and should be put on the
road to caution other drivers of an accident.Y ou are also required to
wear a reflective safety vest when stopped and exiting your vehicle.
These items are available at the NEX Autoport and on the local
economy. They should be carried in your vehicle at all times.
If you are the driver of a vehicle involved in an accident that injures or
kills another person, criminal charges may be initiated automatically by
the investigating police, regardless of the ultimate determination of fault.
Prompt notification to your commanding officer and Naval Legal Service
Office is important to protect your rights, and to obtain the services of an
Italian attorney under contract to the U.S. Government to represent you.
In case of an accident, personnel having automobile liability insurance
with an Italian firm are required to notify that company within 48 hours
of the accident. Failure to notify the company within the time period
can be justification for the company's refusal to accept liability.
Stricter DUI/DWI laws
On the first of August 2010, Italy passed a new traffic law:
(Legge 29.07.2010 n° 120) which prohibits drivers 21 and under from
having any alcohol whatsoever in their systems (BAC of greater than
.00 is in violation of the law). This also applies to drivers with less than
3 years driving experience and commercial drivers (CDL) that could
now be terminated from their jobs for DUI driving.
From 0,5 not to exceed 0,8 gr/per litre (equivalent to 2 glasses of wine
or 2 cans of beer) fines will be levied from Euro 500 to Euro 2,000, as well
as suspension of driver’s license for a period of 90 to 180 days, also
detention up to 1 month or social services as deemed fit by the judge.
From 0,8 not to exceed 1,5 gr/per litre, fines will be levied from Euro
800 to Euro 3,200 as well as suspension of driver’s license for a period
of 180 to 365 days, also detention up to 3 months or social services as
deemed fit by the judge.
Above 1,5 gr/per litre, fines will be levied up to Euro 6,000 as well as
suspension of driver’s license for a period of one to two years, also
detention up to 6 months or social services as deemed fit by the judge.
For all three phases if blood alcohol content test is denied, the suspect
can be fined from Euro 2,500 to Euro 10,000. Should the suspect be
involved in a traffic accident, the amount levied will increase from
Euro 3,000 to Euro 12,000.
For drivers under the influence of drugs fines levied are from Euro 1,000
to Euro 4,000 and arrest up to 3 months or social services as deemed
fit by the judge. Driver’s license privileges will be suspended from 6
months to 1 year.
Driving Without a Valid or Revoked License
Fines from Euro 2,257 to Euro 9,032. Should the persons be convicted
for the same crime within a period of two years the subject can be
arrested for a period of one year.
Speed Limits
A person exceeding a speed limit ranging from 40 Km/hr to 60Km/hr
over the acceptable limit will be fined from Euro 370 to Euro 1,458 and
driver’s license privileges will be suspended from 3 months to 6 months.
Should the persons be convicted for the same crime within a period of
two years the driver’s license can be revoked for a period of 8 months
to 18 months.
A person exceeding a speed limit by more than 60Km/hr over the
acceptable limit fines will be levied from Euro 500 to Euro 2,000 and
driver’s license privileges will be suspended from 6 months to 1 year.
If a person is convicted for the same crime within a two year period the
driver’s license will be revoked indefinitely.
Use of Cell Phones
Hands-free telephone devices must be used while operating a motor
vehicle both on and off base.
Road Signs
Some road signs used in Italy are a bit different from international road
signs.
Last Modified: 26 May 2011