Welcome to MVRO
MVRO is located in the Village Forum at Support Site and in Building 450 at Capodichino.
Personnel eligible to register their vehicles with MVRO are limited to the tax-free import of three vehicles during their time in Italy. This total includes cars, trucks, and motorcycles over 50 cc. Before purchasing vehicles, contact one of the MVRO offices to ensure it will be eligible for registration.
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.
All vehicles (imported or purchased locally) owned by U.S. military, Department
of Defense Civilians and Contractors with approved logistical support
privileges must be registered in the Allied Forces Italy (AFI) Vehicle
Registration System maintained by the Motor Vehicle Registration Office (MVRO).
Driver’s 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 Driver’s must obtain an AFI
Driver’s License. The AFI Driver’s License exam is given during Area
Orientation immediately following the mandatory Local Driver’s Safety
Orientation Briefing.
Your AFI Driver’s License will be valid for five years as long as
you maintain a valid ID card. AFI Driver’s 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 expensive to
obtain 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.
For more specific information 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.
* Scrapping the vehicle with MVRO under Italian
Customs Supervision.
* Nationalization and payment of value added taxes (VAT) and importation
fees (30% of market value) 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 MVRO 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’s License)
while you are waiting for your vehicle to arrive from the States, you
may authorized a temporary tax-free fuel ration from the MVRO.
This
temporary ration can be used to purchase tax-free gasoline and
oil coupons. Restrictions apply please contact MVRO 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. You are required to have a motorcycle
endorsement on your AFI Driver’s License, before you can
register any motorcycle. You will be
required to attend/pass the NSA Naples motorcycle safety course prior to registering
and operating the motorcycle on or off base. Helmets are required
and they must meet DOT and Italian specifications. .
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 heightened
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’s License, United States Identification and Privilege Card
(ID),
your AFI Military 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 Driver’s 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. Driver’s 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 fine 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 bring 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.
You 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.