Traffic rulesItaly

Driving licences are issued through the Uffici della Motorizzazione Civile, commonly called UMC offices, under the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport.

The Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport (MIT) establishes national licensing, examination and driver-training rules.

Yes. An authorised autoscuola can submit the application, organise training and arrange examinations for the candidate.

Yes. A candidate may apply directly to the competent UMC, although professional lessons and certified driving sessions remain compulsory where required.

Yes. A valid Italian licence is recognised throughout Italy, subject to its categories, restrictions and current legal status.

Yes. A valid Italian EU-format licence is generally recognised throughout the EU and European Economic Area.

It is the official online portal for driver records, licence points, examination sheets, UMC information and other vehicle and licensing services.

No. EU rules generally permit only one valid EU or EEA driving licence at a time.

It is the electronic system recording driving entitlements, licence categories, points, restrictions, suspensions and other administrative information.

Yes. Ministry fees and legal requirements are national, while tuition, practical lessons, vehicle use and administrative charges vary between schools.

The minimum age is 18 years.

Yes. A candidate may begin theory preparation and submit the application within the timing permitted by the UMC before reaching the minimum practical-test age.

The applicant normally provides a valid identity document, tax code, photographs and the residence or immigration documents required for the person’s status.

The applicant must normally have residence in Italy or satisfy the EU normal-residence or student conditions applicable to licence issue.

Yes. A lawfully resident foreign national can apply when the identity, residence, medical, age, training and examination requirements are met.

No. A current suspension, revocation, court prohibition or incompatible EU licence status must be resolved.

The standard application for issue of a driving licence is made using form TT 2112.

An authorised medical examiner issues the certificate, using the medical procedure applicable to the applicant.

A Commissione Medica Locale is required in specified cases involving disability, serious medical conditions, alcohol or drug issues, certain sanctions or complex fitness questions.

Yes. Harmonised restriction codes can require corrective lenses, hearing support, an automatic transmission, hand controls or another adaptation.

No. The person may qualify for a special licence with suitable vehicle adaptations and individual restrictions.

Yes. The authority can impose earlier review, restrict the licence, suspend it or revoke it when fitness is not established.

No. A private candidate may study independently, although a driving school can provide structured teaching and manage the application.

The syllabus includes traffic rules, road signs, priority, safe behaviour, vehicle safety, alcohol, drugs, first aid, environmental driving and collision duties.

Yes. The Ministry publishes the official true-or-false question list used for category B preparation.

It is a computer-based true-or-false examination at the UMC or another authorised test location.

There are 30 questions.

The candidate has a maximum of 20 minutes.

No more than three errors are allowed.

The examination is failed.

Yes. From the following day, a registered user can request the official examination sheet through the Portale dell’Automobilista.

The candidate normally has two theory attempts within the application-validity period.

The next examination is normally scheduled no earlier than one month and one day after the previous test or absence.

The UMC issues the learner authorisation known as the foglio rosa.

It is the official learner authorisation permitting supervised practice for the requested licence category.

It is valid for 12 months.

The candidate may take the practical test up to three times.

No. A category B learner must be accompanied by an eligible supervising driver.

The accompanying driver must normally be no older than 65.

The person must have held category B for at least 10 years, or hold a higher category without the 10-year requirement.

The supervisor must sit beside the learner and remain able to intervene.

Yes. A white P on a black background must be displayed clearly at the front and rear during practice.

Yes, under the supervision and training conditions applicable to category B.

Yes, unless a particular practice situation, instructor lesson or vehicle condition imposes a restriction.

No. The foglio rosa is a domestic learner authorisation and is not generally recognised abroad.

A one-time transfer to a new application may be requested within the statutory period when the conditions are met.

Yes. A category B candidate must complete the certified practical sessions required by law with an authorised driving instructor.

At least six hours of special driving practice are required.

They include at least two hours on motorways or equivalent high-speed roads, two hours on extra-urban roads and two hours in night-time conditions.

No. The special hours must be certified by an authorised instructor.

Yes. There is no general maximum, and additional instruction is often necessary.

It is conducted during the legally defined night conditions, including the times specified by the current ministerial rules.

Yes. The training vehicle must comply with the category B school-vehicle and safety requirements.

The driving school or instructor records and certifies the required sessions for the examination file.

No. The candidate must satisfy the compulsory-practice requirement first.

Yes. The candidate can train and test in an automatic vehicle, but the resulting licence normally carries code 78.

It cannot normally be taken until at least one month after the foglio rosa is issued.

An authorised UMC examiner conducts it.

The candidate uses a category B vehicle that meets the examination, insurance, registration and dual-control requirements.

The examiner can assess vehicle preparation, safety checks, controls, documents and basic technical knowledge.

It assesses vehicle control, observation, priority, signs, speed, lane position, manoeuvres and safe interaction with other road users.

They can include reversing, parking, turning, hill starts and other category B control tasks.

Yes. Serious rule violations, loss of control or instructor or examiner intervention can cause immediate failure.

Yes, while the foglio rosa remains valid and the three-attempt limit has not been exhausted.

Normally at least one month must pass between a failed test and the next attempt.

The examiner records the pass and the driving licence is issued or made available through the administrative procedure.

The principal restrictions apply during the first three years after category B is obtained.

A new driver may not exceed 100 km/h.

A new driver may not exceed 90 km/h.

The driver may not operate an automobile with a specific power above 75 kW per tonne.

The maximum is 105 kW, including the passenger vehicles covered by the amended rule.

They apply for the first three years after category B issue.

No. The legal alcohol limit is zero.

Yes. A driver under 21 is subject to the zero-alcohol rule even where the three-year period is not the only basis.

Yes. During the first three years, points deducted for each violation are doubled.

A statutory exception permits supervised driving in specified circumstances when an eligible experienced driver is seated beside the new driver.

The Portale dell’Automobilista provides a service for checking whether a vehicle complies with new-driver power limits.

Yes, provided no separate restriction, suspension or category condition applies.

It covers mopeds and light quadricycles within the statutory speed, engine and power limits.

The minimum age is 14.

It covers motorcycles up to 125 cm³, 11 kW and the prescribed power-to-weight ratio.

The minimum age is 16.

It covers motorcycles up to 35 kW with the prescribed power-to-weight and derivation limits.

It covers unrestricted motorcycles, normally from age 24 or from age 20 after holding A2 for at least two years.

It covers specified heavy quadricycles.

It covers vehicles up to 3,500 kg with no more than eight passenger seats in addition to the driver.

A trailer up to 750 kg, or a heavier trailer where the combination remains within the category B limit.

It covers a category B combination above 3,500 kg but not exceeding 4,250 kg.

It covers a category B towing vehicle with a trailer or semi-trailer within the BE limits.

C1 and C cover medium and heavy goods vehicles; D1 and D cover smaller and larger passenger vehicles.

Not always. Many professional goods and passenger drivers also need a Carta di Qualificazione del Conducente (CQC).

It is the professional driver qualification required for many commercial lorry and bus operations.

Yes, unless an acquired-rights or activity exemption applies.

Yes. The driver normally completes 35 hours of periodic training every five years.

It is normally valid for five years.

It is the professional certificate commonly required with category B for taxi and chauffeur-driven hire-car work.

No. The driver must hold the appropriate valid licence and the professional certificate.

It is the additional certificate required for transporting dangerous goods in vehicles covered by ADR.

Yes. C and D categories and professional certificates have shorter validity and stricter medical requirements.

Yes. Drivers professionally transporting persons or goods are subject to the zero-alcohol rule.

They are normally valid for 10 years.

Normally five years.

Normally three years.

Normally two years.

Yes. An authorised doctor or Local Medical Commission can set an earlier expiry.

The driver completes the required medical examination and the new card is produced through the Ministry system.

Renewal can generally be arranged during the months before expiry.

Yes, subject to medical fitness and any additional checks required after a long expiry.

The holder reports the event where required and requests a duplicate through the competent police or licensing procedure.

No. The electronic driver record controls the legal entitlement.

Yes. A valid EU or EEA licence is generally recognised.

No. Exchange is generally voluntary, although Italian renewal or exchange becomes necessary in specified expiry, residence or administrative cases.

Yes. The driver must carry the valid foreign licence together with an International Driving Permit or official Italian translation where required.

Normally for up to one year after becoming resident in Italy.

The resident must exchange the licence where a valid reciprocity agreement permits it or obtain an Italian licence through examinations.

No. Exchange depends on a current bilateral reciprocity agreement and the individual document and residence conditions.

Yes. The original licence is normally surrendered and handled under the agreement procedure.

Yes. UMC offices issue permits under the 1949 Geneva and 1968 Vienna conventions.

The Geneva model is valid for one year; the Vienna model is valid for up to three years.

No. It must be carried together with the valid national licence.

It starts with 20 points.

Yes. Two points can be added after each qualifying two-year offence-free period, up to a maximum of 30 points.

The amount depends on the offence and can be as high as 10 points before any new-driver multiplier.

The driver must undergo a licence-review procedure and pass the required theory and practical examinations.

Yes. Approved recovery courses can restore points within the statutory limits.

The general maximum is 0.5 grams per litre of blood.

Drivers under 21, category B holders during their first three years and specified professional drivers.

Yes. Refusal can lead to criminal penalties, licence suspension and other consequences.

Yes. Drug-driving offences can lead to immediate criminal, administrative and licence consequences.

No. The national driver record determines whether the person may legally drive.

This FAQ was prepared from current Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport material, the Portale dell’Automobilista, the consolidated Highway Code and ACI guidance.

Last reviewed: 4 August 2026.

This website is an independent educational resource and is not affiliated with MIT, a UMC office, ACI, an examination centre, medical commission or driving school.

Official legislation and instructions from the competent authority always take precedence.