Driving licence in Italy


In Italy, the driving licence is a governmental right given to those who request a licence for any of the categories they choose. It is required for every type of motorized vehicle.
A driving licence in Italy is a European driving licence, adhering to Directive 2006/126/EC and valid throughout the European Economic Area.
The minimum age to obtain a driving licence is as follows:
  • 16 years for a motorcycle of 125cc with a limit of motor power of 11 kW; a quadricycle motor
  • 18 years for a car or motorcycle without a limit for the engine cylinder capacity and a limit of motor power of 35 kW
  • 21 years for minibuses, three-wheelers without a limit of motor power, and cargo vehicles
  • 24 years for motorcycles without limits of motor power; buses
The so-called "patentino" was an Italian licence given to young people with a minimum age of 14 years. This licence permitted teenagers to drive scooters and "micro-cars". In 2013, this was replaced with a new category of driver's licence.
Since February 2011, new drivers must not drive vehicles with an engine power greater than 70 kilowatts, to reduce the number of teenager-caused collisions.
Since 2013, the driving test can be done with an automatic transmission vehicle, and a 78 code is applied on the back of the licence. If the driver wishes to remove it, they have to do another driving test, without doing the theory test.

Obtaining a driver's licence

The Italian driving licence can be obtained after finishing a driver's education course and passing a two-stage test: a theory test and a driving test. An elementary school diploma is also required to obtain a valid driving licence.
In order to pass the theory test, an applicant cannot make more than three mistakes on a total of thirty questions related to road signs and street code articles. The test is timed and must be completed in twenty minutes. A failed theory test can be retaken once. After passing the theory test, the applicant receives a foglio rosa that allows them to drive accompanied by an adult with ten or more years of driving experience. The permit is valid for twelve months, during which a driving test must be taken. A failed driving test can be retaken twice.
The Italian driving licence is issued with a score of 20 points. These points are reduced in the event of violations of the Highway Code. Drivers can verify the number of points they have within a dedicated online portal.