Requirements
Where to find a car’s power and power-to-weight ratio
Check official data and use the MIT registration checker for new-driver limits instead of relying on a partial calculation.
Power and power-to-tare ratio are different figures, and both matter for new-driver restrictions. To find out whether a particular car is allowed, enter its registration number in the official MIT service instead of calculating eligibility from one vehicle-document figure.
Do not confuse power with the ratio
Power is a vehicle figure expressed in kW. The power-to-tare ratio compares that power with the vehicle’s tare and is expressed in kW per tonne; it is a different measure. For Article 117 restrictions, check the thresholds that apply to the date you obtained category B; M1 plug-in passenger cars also have an absolute 105 kW cap. Engine displacement, marketing horsepower or the actual mass on a trip are not substitutes for the required figures.
The vehicle registration certificate contains technical and identifying data, but reading one field alone may not establish eligibility. Tare can also differ from running-order mass or maximum authorised mass. Follow the document’s definitions and do not round a unit conversion in a way that changes the result. If the data are missing or the vehicle is a special version, consult its type approval or ask the UMC.
Use the official registration checker
The MIT/Portale dell’Automobilista service checks new-driver limits using the vehicle registration number. It is the most direct check for a particular car because it uses data associated with that vehicle’s identity. Check that the number was entered correctly and that the result matches the version you intend to drive.
For example, two cars with the same marketing model but different engines and trims may have different approved figures. Do not decide from a specification sheet for another version or from a single power figure in an advertisement. The check addresses the vehicle’s eligibility under new-driver restrictions; you still need to check your valid licence, the relevant period and road-use conditions. Keep a record of the result and repeat the check if you change cars or the vehicle data are updated. If the service does not return a clear result, ask the UMC instead of assuming the vehicle is permitted.
Quiz Patente Ufficiale helps you review limits through study chapters, exam quizzes, mistake review and statistics. For a specific car’s eligibility, use the official registration checker.
Frequently asked questions
Is kW the same as power-to-tare ratio?
No. kW is power; the ratio compares power with tare and is expressed in kW per tonne.
Can I determine eligibility from the power figure alone?
Not reliably: the rule uses specific data and thresholds. Check the registration number through the official service and ask the UMC if the data are unclear.