Truck Stopped Near Customs Terminal
Police in the Italian province of Trento identified serious violations during an inspection of a heavy goods vehicle registered in Poland.
The articulated truck was stopped on August 4, 2026, near the Trento customs freight terminal. The inspection was carried out by the Trento–Monte Bondone Local Police, according to the city municipality.
The vehicle was driven by a man of Ukrainian origin. While examining his documents, officers noticed minor irregularities in the Ukrainian-style driving licence he presented.
Officers Confirmed the Licence Was Forged
The document contained discrepancies in its printed graphics, production quality and anti-counterfeiting security features. These elements did not match the standards used in official licences issued by the Ukrainian authorities.
A more detailed examination confirmed that the driving licence was counterfeit. The driver was subsequently reported to the judicial authorities.
Italian law enforcement units use specialist equipment and trained personnel to examine printing techniques, security images and other authenticity features found in foreign documents.
Engine Software Had Been Modified
A technical inspection of the truck revealed a second violation. Software in the engine control unit had been altered to bypass the vehicle’s emissions-control equipment.
According to TrasportoEuropa, the modification may have affected systems including the FAP diesel particulate filter, SCR selective catalytic reduction, EGR exhaust gas recirculation and AdBlue injection.
Disabling or modifying such equipment allows a truck to continue operating without properly treating its exhaust gases. Its actual emissions may therefore exceed the limits established for the vehicle’s declared environmental category.
Tampering Detected Through the OBD Port
Officers confirmed the electronic modification by connecting diagnostic equipment to the truck’s onboard diagnostic port.
The inspection provided direct access to information from the vehicle’s electronic control units and allowed officers to determine whether its emissions systems were operating correctly.
Software manipulation can be more difficult to identify than the physical removal of environmental equipment. The required components may remain installed, while the control unit is programmed to suppress errors or prevent the engine from reducing power when the emissions system is not functioning.
Transport Company Paid €5,100
The driver faced criminal proceedings for presenting a forged document. Additional administrative measures were imposed over the truck’s technical condition and violations connected with international road freight operations.
The transport company responsible for the vehicle has already paid penalties totaling €5,100.
The truck was also placed under administrative detention for three months. The official statement from the Municipality of Trento did not provide a specific calendar date for the end of the detention period.
International Truck Inspections Are Expanding
The case shows that road freight inspections in Italy cover more than driving and rest times, transport documentation and basic vehicle safety.
Authorities are paying increasing attention to the authenticity of foreign driving licences and the electronic operation of emissions-control systems. For carriers, violations of this kind can result in substantial penalties, prolonged vehicle downtime and criminal proceedings involving the driver.
Read also: Drivers From Eastern Europe, Turkey and the Balkans May Be Recognised Under EU Standards
