ban on classic cars in Italy
Posted: 22 Dec 2005, 13:38
If you are planning a trip to Italy next summer with your classic Lancia, think again.
Several towns in the Tuscany region are banning cars without catalysers from their streets as from January 1st, 2006, in order to comply with EEC regulations concerning air pollution.
You might think that an exception will be made for classic cars in car-loving Italy, but at least on paper that is hardly the case. Take for example Florence where exceptions for historic vehicles are defined as follows:
- on Saturdays, Sundays and non-working days only to leave the no-traffic area
- during authorized meetings of historic vehicles
- in case of ceremonies (marriages etc.) - cars rented by professionals
- to go to MOT tests and to maintenance shops (proof required!)
This rule applies not just to bigger towns like Florence, Livorno, Grosseto, Lucca and Pisa, smaller communities like Campi Bisenzio, Montelupo Fiorentino, Scandicci are banning classic cars as well, while the Lombardia and Emilio Romagna regions are planning similar legislation. On the positive side is the Veneto region, where classic cars are exempt if they are certified by a FIVA member organisation. In the UK that would be the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs. In Italy, there are 3 FIVA member organisations, of which the ASI (Automotoclub Storico Italiano) is the best known. None of these Italian organisations seems to take much action on this issue.
Jan
Several towns in the Tuscany region are banning cars without catalysers from their streets as from January 1st, 2006, in order to comply with EEC regulations concerning air pollution.
You might think that an exception will be made for classic cars in car-loving Italy, but at least on paper that is hardly the case. Take for example Florence where exceptions for historic vehicles are defined as follows:
- on Saturdays, Sundays and non-working days only to leave the no-traffic area
- during authorized meetings of historic vehicles
- in case of ceremonies (marriages etc.) - cars rented by professionals
- to go to MOT tests and to maintenance shops (proof required!)
This rule applies not just to bigger towns like Florence, Livorno, Grosseto, Lucca and Pisa, smaller communities like Campi Bisenzio, Montelupo Fiorentino, Scandicci are banning classic cars as well, while the Lombardia and Emilio Romagna regions are planning similar legislation. On the positive side is the Veneto region, where classic cars are exempt if they are certified by a FIVA member organisation. In the UK that would be the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs. In Italy, there are 3 FIVA member organisations, of which the ASI (Automotoclub Storico Italiano) is the best known. None of these Italian organisations seems to take much action on this issue.
Jan