Summer Drivers Rush to Reactivate Vehicles on MyCar Platform with Monthly Fees

Thousands of drivers, in anticipation of summer, are proceeding to reactivate their vehicles by paying monthly fees. All indications suggest that with the help of falling fuel prices, it is only a matter of days before the number of reactivation requests surpasses the 144,000 applications submitted in 2024, according to ertnews. This measure, which was activated at the beginning of April, allows vehicle owners to put their cars back into use for the months they desire, avoiding the payment of full circulation fees. However, there are specific rules that interested parties should be aware of to avoid unpleasant surprises. The reactivation with proportional fees can only occur once a year. If a driver initially pays for one month and wishes to extend the usage period, no new proportional payment is allowed. In this case, the entire remaining annual circulation fee must be paid. At the end of the period covered by the monthly fees, the vehicle must be declared digitally inactive again. The declaration must be made on the last working day of the period or the immediately following one in case of delay. Otherwise, the vehicle is considered illegally in circulation. Drivers who have deposited plates at the Ephorate cannot perform reactivation through MyCar. They must physically visit the Ephorate with insurance, proof of payment, and retrieve their plates. For limited circulation (e.g., transfer to a garage or workshop), the special ‘M’ plate is available, costing 10 euros per day for passenger cars and 3 euros per day for two-wheelers, up to three days a year. Its use is strictly defined and does not replace reactivation. Operating a vehicle without prior reactivation incurs heavy penalties: payment of the full annual circulation fees, late payment penalty, administrative fine of 10,000 euros, and in cases of fraud, fines can reach 30,000 euros with the simultaneous suspension of the driving license for three years. Even parking in public spaces is considered circulation, thus constituting a violation. From September 30, 2025, the Independent Authority for Public Revenue will start using tollway camera footage to cross-check license plates against the registry of inactive vehicles. Tollway operators will send weekly encrypted data files to the Ephorate. Those found operating vehicles declared inactive will be asked to provide explanations within 10 days before being fined 10,000 euros. If the same violation occurs within five years, the fine increases to 30,000 euros and the driving license is revoked for three years.