Buying a used car in Italy and bringing it back to France
By Rédaction Quelle Occasion · updated on 28 October 2026
In Italy, the car must be deregistered from the public vehicle register (PRA) before leaving the country, then reach the border with a foglio di via (travel permit) and a targa provvisoria (temporary plate). These steps are done before driving back to France, and deregistration requires an up-to-date revisione (roadworthiness test). This guide only covers what is specific to Italy; the French procedure is detailed in importing a used car from Europe and the documents needed to import a car.
PRA deregistration before export
According to the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, since 1 January 2020, to permanently export a vehicle you must first request its deregistration from the PRA (art. 103 of the highway code) (esteri.it – Radiazione dal PRA).
Sheet no. 16 of the Portale dell'Automobilista (version 2.0 of 30 April 2020) specifies:
- the deregistration request must be submitted before the vehicle is actually exported;
- it is made with the "modello unificato"; the carta di circolazione (or the Documento Unico, DU) is cancelled with a tagliando (cancellation sticker) and returned to the person concerned;
- when the request is made by an "avente titolo" (someone holding a bill of sale), the sales deed serves as the title;
- deregistration for export is impossible where there are mortgages or other encumbrances, including a fermo amministrativo (administrative lock).
This sheet dates from 2020: confirm the procedure and fees with an authorised service point that can file the request.
Foglio di via and targa provvisoria for the trip home
Once the vehicle has been deregistered, it may only travel to the border crossings for export if it carries the foglio di via and the targa provvisoria (esteri.it). The Autonomous Province of Trento states that the foglio di via is governed by circular no. 7518 of 3 March 2021 of the Ministry of Infrastructure, that it is requested by booking an appointment at the Motorizzazione Civile offices, and that payment goes through pagoPA via the Portale dell'Automobilista (Provincia di Trento – Rilascio targa provvisoria e foglio di via). That page details the documents for vehicles of 3.5 tonnes or more; for a car, ask the Motorizzazione where the sale takes place.
The Italian revisione
The revisione is the Italian roadworthiness test. According to sheet no. 16, the system checks that the vehicle passed the revisione successfully in the previous six months; otherwise deregistration is blocked until a new successful test. On the French side, service-public.gouv.fr specifies that for a car more than 4 years old, the roadworthiness test provided must be less than 6 months old at the registration application and may have been carried out in the EU country where the vehicle was registered. See reading a roadworthiness test report.
Check the history before paying
Before any deposit, have the vehicle checked from its VIN and cross-check the mileage (mileage of a used car).
Check the car's history: 20% off → (new tab)Partner link
The documented pitfalls
- Deregistration after leaving the country: it must be requested before export. For vehicles exported since 1 January 2020, this is the rule (sheet no. 16);
- Encumbrances and fermo amministrativo: they prevent deregistration; they must be lifted beforehand;
- Revisione not done: it blocks deregistration;
- Driving without foglio di via or targa provvisoria: the deregistered vehicle may only travel to the border with them.
For other pitfalls: recognising a scam.
Then, in France
You have one month to apply for the registration certificate (service-public.gouv.fr). A tax certificate (quitus fiscal) is required for a vehicle bought in another EU country (impots.gouv.fr). Next: registering an imported car and the malus on an imported car.
Sources
- Radiazione dal PRA — Ministero degli Affari Esteri (esteri.it)
- Scheda 16 : la cessazione dalla circolazione per esportazione — Il Portale dell'Automobilista
- Rilascio targa provvisoria e foglio di via — Provincia autonoma di Trento
- Certificat d'immatriculation : immatriculer un véhicule d'occasion — Service-Public.fr
- Obtenir un quitus fiscal — impots.gouv.fr
Before you buy: check and equip
Check the history
Before paying, check the administrative status (lien, objection, declared claims) and the mileage recorded at the roadworthiness test.
Read fault codes
An OBD scanner plugged in under the steering wheel shows stored fault codes, even with warning lights off: useful during the test drive.
Parts and maintenance
Compare prices of car parts (timing, brakes, filters) to estimate the repairs to plan for.
Insure the car
Insurance prices vary widely from one model to another: get a quote before signing.