Moving to Italy: Your Driver’s License Guide

When moving to Italy, there’s a lot to plan: finding a home, learning the language, opening a bank account. But one crucial detail often gets overlooked until it’s too late—your driving license. If you’re coming from a non-European country, your license may not be valid in Italy for long, and you might need to take the Italian driving test.

Here’s what you need to know to stay road-legal in Italy.

1. Is Your License Valid in Italy?

If your driving license was issued in a non-EU country, you can use it in Italy only for the first year after you officially become a resident. After that, your license is no longer valid, and you’ll need to switch to an Italian one.

2. Can You Convert Your License?

This depends on your home country:

• Countries with conversion agreements: If you’re from a country that has a bilateral agreement with Italy, you might be able to convert your license without taking the Italian driving test. Countries like Brazil, Japan, and some Canadian provinces fall into this category.

• Countries without agreements: If your country doesn’t have an agreement with Italy (for example, the United States), you’ll need to apply for a new Italian driving license, which requires passing both a theory and a practical exam.

3. How to Get an Italian Driving License

If you’re unable to convert your current license, here’s what you’ll need to do:

1. Enroll in a driving school: They’ll help you prepare for the theoretical and practical exams. Self-study is an option, but many find driving schools helpful for navigating the paperwork.

2. Pass the theory exam: The test consists of multiple-choice questions about road safety, traffic signs, and Italian driving rules. It’s typically in Italian, but some schools may provide resources for non-native speakers.

3. Practice driving: Even if you’re experienced, it’s wise to practice with an instructor. Italian roads, driving habits, and rules might be different from what you’re used to.

4. Take the practical exam: A road test will assess your driving skills. The test is usually done with a manual transmission car unless you request and use an automatic, in which case your license will be restricted to automatic vehicles.

5. What Documents Do You Need?

To convert your license (if possible) or apply for a new Italian license, you’ll need:

• A copy of your current driving license (with an official translation, if required).

• Your residency permit.

• Your Italian tax code (codice fiscale).

• A medical certificate from an authorized doctor (usually arranged by the driving school).

• Recent passport-sized photos.

5. How Long Does It Take?

The process to obtain an Italian license can take several months, especially if you need to pass both the theory and practical exams. Start as early as possible to avoid being left without a valid license.

6. A Helpful Tip

If you’re used to driving an automatic car, be aware that most cars in Italy have manual transmissions. While you can take the driving test in an automatic car, your license will be restricted to that type of vehicle.

Switching or obtaining an Italian driving license might feel overwhelming, but it’s an essential step to fully integrate into life in Italy. Plan ahead, follow the steps, and you’ll soon be ready to drive confidently on Italian roads!