RoadVisa Beta

How to get a driving licence in Italy

Getting a car licence from scratch, country by country.

Car licence, category B

Getting your licence in Italy

Theory questions (true/false)30
Pass mark≤3 mistakes
Time for the theory test20 min
Required lessons with an instructor8 hours
Driving test retakeNew fee per try

Unanswered questions count as mistakes.

Before you start driving

2
Learner permit (foglio rosa)Issued after you pass the theory test, valid for 12 months.
Medical checkYes. A medical certificate from an authorised doctor (valid 3 months).

Required lessons

2
Required driving lessonsFor learner permits issued from 2026: at least 8 hours with a driving school instructor, in 4 modules: vehicle and manoeuvres (2), town traffic (3), motorway and roads outside towns (2), night driving (1). Practice with a private supervisor only comes after.
Other practiceWith your learner permit you can also practise with a supervisor aged 65 or under who has held a licence for 10+ years, with a 'P' sign on the car.

Good to know

8
Minimum age18. From 17 you can get a learner permit (foglio rosa) for accompanied driving.
Licence validity10 years for category B up to age 50, then 5 years until 70, and 3 years after that.
Exam languagesThe theory test is in Italian. In South Tyrol it's also in German, and in the Aosta Valley in French.
If you failTheory: 2 attempts within 6 months of applying. Driving: up to 3 attempts while the learner permit is valid, at least 1 month apart.
Automatic or manualPassing in an automatic limits you to automatics.
New driversFor the first 3 years: at most 100 km/h on motorways and 90 km/h on main roads outside towns, and no cars over 75 kW per tonne (105 kW at most).
Already have a licence from abroad?EU and EEA licences stay valid. Licences from countries with a conversion agreement (including the UK, Japan, South Korea, Switzerland and Ukraine) can be converted within 6 years of becoming resident (4 for Switzerland and Ukraine). Others take the Italian theory and driving tests.
Also worth knowing
  • The true/false questions are often tricky on purpose: read every word.
  • In big cities, theory test dates can be 2–3 months away. Book early.

Step by step

  1. Medical certificateFrom an authorised doctor.
  2. Theory test30 true/false questions in 20 minutes, at most 3 mistakes.
  3. Learner permit (foglio rosa)Valid 12 months.
  4. Required lessonsAt least 8 hours with an instructor in 4 modules, then practice.
  5. Driving testWith an examiner from the Motorizzazione.

Tips From driving schools and examiners

  • The test starts with checks: seat, mirrors, seatbelt and headrest, then at least 2 random questions about the car, such as tyres, brakes or oil level.
  • Expect at least 2 manoeuvres, one of them in reverse, such as parking or reversing round a corner.
  • Right of way, traffic lights and mirror checks cause many fails. Check your mirrors and signal before every change of direction.
  • Drive smoothly: jerky starts, harsh braking and stalling all count against you.
  • Get to know the exam car before the test, especially if it has dual controls.

Based on: SicurAUTO: How the practical test for patente B works (Italian) ↗

Official links

Il Portale dell'Automobilista (official) ↗Codice della Strada (Italian Highway Code) ↗Last checked 20 Oct 2026
Wrong information? Help us fix itTell us what's incorrect and we'll check it against the official sources.

About: This page

Frequently asked questionsCoverage, sources and how RoadVisa works.

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A translation of your licence in a standard format. It's only valid together with your own licence, and you get it in the country that issued your licence, usually from a motoring club or the licensing authority. RoadVisa tells you when a country expects one.

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