Driving Licence in Italy: How to Convert, Apply and Drive as an Expat
This guide outlines how expats can convert or obtain an Italian driving licence, covering validity, requirements, costs, and driving rules.
Whether you want to drive in Italy with your existing licence, convert it, or get a new one from scratch in Italy, this guide covers everything you need to know about driving licences in Italy: validity of foreign licences, the exchange process, costs, rules for new drivers, and accompanied driving.
Table of Contents
Is your foreign driving licence valid in Italy?
Good news: if you are visiting Italy for tourism, business, or a temporary stay, your EU or EEA driving licence is valid without any additional steps. No international permit or translation is required, as European driving licences are recognised across the entire European Economic Area.
The situation changes once you establish your official residence in Italy. In that case:
- Card-format licence (issued after 2013): valid until its expiry date. Once it expires, you must convert it to an Italian licence.
- Older paper licence with no expiry date (issued before 2013): valid for 2 years from the date you register your Italian residency. After that, conversion is compulsory.
If you exceed these deadlines with a licence that has no expiry date, you risk a fine of between €168 and €674, as well as having your licence confiscated.
For a full overview of the administrative steps involved in relocating to Italy, see our guide on moving to Italy.
Exchanging your driving licence for an Italian one
Once you have established residency in Italy, you will need to convert your existing licence. This is a straightforward administrative exchange, with no tests to retake — your EU licence is recognised automatically under European directive.
Key differences between a standard EU licence and an Italian licence
| Points system | Typically 12 points | 30 points |
| Validity | Unlimited (older models) or 10–15 years | 10 years (renewable) |
| Frequent renewal | Not standard | Possible from age 50 on medical grounds |
The Italian licence carries 30 points, compared to the 12 found on most EU licences. Penalties deduct more points per offence, which means the risk of losing your licence through accumulated infractions is higher. The licence must be renewed every 10 years, though the Motorizzazione Civile may require more frequent renewal from age 50 onwards, or in the event of a health condition.
When to apply
Start the process early: it can take 1 to 3 months. Begin as soon as you have registered your Italian residency, rather than waiting until the legal deadline. If your licence carries an expiry date, you can submit your application before it expires.
Where to apply
Applications are submitted in person at your nearest Motorizzazione Civile office. You can also go through an Italian driving school or an ACI (Automobile Club d’Italia) office, both of which handle the full paperwork for a service fee of around €60.
Documents required for the conversion
Gather all your documents before visiting the Motorizzazione Civile- Form TT2112 (available online on the Portale dell’Automobilista or at the Motorizzazione Civile office)
- Bollettino c/c 9001 for €10.20 (available at the post office or the Motorizzazione)
- Bollettino c/c 4028 for €32 (available at the post office or the Motorizzazione)
- A medical certificate from an approved doctor, with a €16 revenue stamp and a recent passport photo (less than 3 months old)
- 2 identical passport photos
Total cost: under €150 if you handle the process yourself. Add around €60 if you use a driving school or ACI to manage the paperwork.
Getting your driving licence in Italy
If you do not yet have a driving licence, you can take it directly in Italy from the age of 18, provided you have registered your residency there. You have two options: enrol at a driving school or sit the exam as a private candidate.
The 3 steps to getting your licence in Italy
1 — Registration and medical check: complete form TT2112 (available from the Motorizzazione Civile) with your personal details and the details of the vehicle you will use for the test. Attach a medical certificate from an approved doctor confirming your fitness to drive.
2 — Theory test: a quiz of 40 true/false questions, with a maximum of 4 errors allowed. The test must be taken within 6 months of registration, and your date is set at the time of enrolment. If you pass, you receive the foglio rosa, which authorises you to practise and is required before taking the practical test.
3 — Practical test: must be taken within 6 months of passing the theory test, with 2 attempts available. You must complete at least 6 hours of driving with an instructor before sitting the exam.
How much does a driving licence cost in Italy?
| Driving school (all-inclusive) | €600 to €900 |
| Private candidate | around €350 |
| Additional driving hour | around €40/hour |
The number of extra hours you need can vary the total significantly depending on your starting level, so plan your budget accordingly.
Driving in Italy: rules for new drivers
If you have just obtained your licence in Italy, certain restrictions apply during the first 3 years.
Speed limits
During the first 3 years, a neopatentato (newly licensed driver) must not exceed 100 km/h on motorways and 90 km/h on main roads.
Power limits
The vehicle you drive is limited to a maximum of 55 kW (75 hp). Some categories of vehicle are therefore off-limits during this period.
Points deductions
Any infraction that results in a points deduction is penalised at double the standard rate for new drivers, in accordance with Article 126bis of the Italian Highway Code. This rule applies up to a maximum of 15 points deducted per infraction.
For more on everyday life in Italy, see our guide on the cost of living in Italy.
Accompanied driving in Italy (GA)
Guida Accompagnata (GA) allows young people aged 17 to get behind the wheel before turning 18. The scheme was introduced in Italy in 2012 and has been growing steadily since.
If you see a car displaying a “GA” sticker on a yellow background at the front and rear, that vehicle is being driven under accompanied driving conditions.
Eligibility requirements
To participate in the GA scheme, the young driver must:
- Be at least 17 years old
- Hold a patente A1 or B1 (moped up to 125cc or light quadricycle)
- Have completed a minimum 10-hour course at a driving school
The accompanying drivers
The young driver may designate up to 3 accompanying drivers, chosen with parental agreement, who must meet the following criteria:
- Be under 60 years of age (the authorisation expires on the accompanying driver’s 60th birthday)
- Have held a category B licence (or higher) for at least 10 years in Italy, or at least 5 years for an EU/EEA licence converted to an Italian one
- Not have had their licence suspended in the past 5 years
The benefit of accompanied driving
At 18, the hours accumulated through GA count towards the full licence: 6 hours are credited against the required training, and the theory test does not need to be retaken. The young driver simply sits the practical test and can obtain their full category B licence from their 18th birthday.
Conclusion
Driving in Italy as a visitor with a valid EU or EEA licence is perfectly simple. For those settling in the country, converting your licence is a necessary step: start the process early after registering your residency to avoid fines and enjoy full freedom of movement on Italian roads.Planning your move? Find all our resources in our complete guide on moving to Italy.
Frequently asked questions
Is a foreign EU/EEA driving licence valid in Italy for a tourist visit?
Yes. An EU or EEA driving licence is fully valid in Italy for tourism or temporary stays, with no extra steps required. European Directive 2006/126/CE recognises the mutual validity of EU/EEA licences across all member states.
Do I have to convert my licence if I move to Italy?
Yes, once you register your Italian residency. If your licence has an expiry date, conversion is compulsory when it expires. If you hold an older licence with no expiry date, you have 2 years from the date of your residency registration to complete the exchange.
Do I need to retake any tests to convert my EU licence in Italy?
No. The process is a purely administrative exchange. Your EU licence is recognised automatically and no exam is required. You submit a file to the Motorizzazione Civile and receive your Italian licence within 1 to 3 months.
How much does it cost to convert a driving licence in Italy?
The full process costs under €150 (covering the payment slips, medical certificate, and photos). If you use a driving school or ACI to handle the file, add around €60 in service fees.
Can I take the driving test in Italy without speaking Italian fluently?
The theory test is available in several languages at certain examination centres. Check with your local Motorizzazione Civile or a driving school to find out which languages are available in your area.
At what age can someone start accompanied driving (GA) in Italy?
The Guida Accompagnata is open from the age of 17, provided the young person already holds a patente A1 or B1 and has completed 10 hours of training at a driving school. It allows them to drive with an approved accompanying driver until they turn 18.
What happens if I drive in Italy with an expired licence after 2 years of residency?
You risk immediate confiscation of your licence and a fine of between €168 and €674. Start the conversion process as soon as you arrive, rather than waiting until the deadline approaches.
