If you decide to move to Italy, you may also decide to take (or retake) your driving test. Less expensive, less time consuming and less complicated than in France or other countries, the Italian driving license is recognized throughout Europe. However, the language barrier can sometimes be an obstacle to take the plunge and learn to drive. In fact, even if the Italian traffic code is more or less the same as in France or in other European countries, it is necessary to learn to drive like an Italian. The locals say ‘He who knows how to drive in Rome knows how to drive anywhere in the world.’ How much does a driving license cost in Italy? What are the steps to register and take the test? How to pass the Italian highway code exam? How do I take the practical driving test in Italy? Lisbob, your expat assistant in Italy, is going to tell you everything you need to know about how to get a driver’s license in Italy.
Conditions for taking the driving test
Before you start the process of taking the Italian driving test, it is important to check if it is possible for you to register. In fact, Italy imposes certain conditions on all those who wish to register and take the driving test.
Conditions to register for the driving license in Italy
Be at least 18 years old;
Have a Codice Fiscale;
Be a resident in Italy.
If you do not meet these 3 conditions, you will not be able to register for the Italian driving test. Once you are sure you meet all the criteria, you can start the registration process.
How to pass and get the driving license in Italy ? Here is the complete guide
Cost and price of driving license in Italy
It costs about 800 - 850 euros all inclusive to get your Italian license. Yes, it is cheaper than in most countries and you will see that it is also simpler. Beware of hidden fees and delays. In fact, you have a time limit to pass the theoretical and practical tests of the Italian driving license. If you miss these deadlines, you will have to reapply and pay a new fee. I will come back to this point a little later.
Registration
Have you decided to take your driving test in Italy? Very interesting challenge! It may seem difficult or even impossible when you think you don’t understand the language (let alone know how to drive), but it is easier to obtain in Italy than in most other countries. The first thing to do will be to choose your driving school, but the procedures can also be carried out at the nearest Motorizzazione Civile office. In this case it is possible to download the form directly in advance and fill it in to save time, by clicking here.
Your application for the Italian driving license must be complete and include a number of documents, forms and proofs in order to be accepted. In order to save time, Lisbob advises you to prepare your file and check it before going to a driving school or a Motorizzazione Civile office.
List of documents to register for the Italian driving license:
Form TT2112 completed and signed;
Identity document (original + photocopy);
Codice Fiscale (original + photocopy);
2 identity photos;
Medical certificate with photo less than 3 months old, with stamped paper worth 16 €. Please note that this medical certificate can only be issued by a certified doctor;
Second medical declaration, issued by your general practitioner (original + photocopy)
Certificate and proof of payment of the preprinted bulletins C/C 9001 and C/C 4028, worth €26.40 and €16 respectively. These bulletins can be found in the offices of the Motorizzazione or in the Italian post offices.
Once the application is completed and submitted to the appropriate authorities, you will be given a training booklet that will follow you throughout your training for the Italian driving test. From that moment on, you have 6 months to pass the theory test. Be careful because once the deadline has passed you will have to redo the procedures. Once the theoretical exam is passed, the deadline for taking the practical exam is 5 months.
It’s not that complicated to get driving license in Italy
Theory course and exam
In order to obtain an Italian driving license, as in other European countries, each person who wishes to obtain a license must complete a theoretical part during which he or she will learn about the Italian traffic regulations and the habits and customs of drivers in Italy. Nothing very original, the Italian highway code is very similar to the one found elsewhere in Europe and the signs are also very similar and it will not be difficult to recognize them.
The test consists of 40 questions. The candidate should not make more than four errors, or a maximum of 10%. If the exam is not passed, then it is possible to retake it only 1 month after failing it, not before. Be careful because it will only be possible to retake it a second time. If you fail the Italian driving test a second time, you will have to submit a new application and pay all the fees again.
This is a typical theoretical exam room for the driving license in Italy
You can answer in any order you like, change the answer to a question. At the end of the 30 minutes, the system stops and the examiner calls you one by one to tell you the number of errors. Of the 40 questions, 35 are common sense and logical (always take the most ‘safe’ answer that involves the least amount of risk), and 5 require you to know the answer (or take a chance). Then you will only need to translate the few important words of the Italian driving vocabulary and traffic rules and you will be ready to learn to drive.
Did you pass the exam? Congratulations! From now on I will explain the driving.
Learning and practical driving test
Learning to drive in Italy requires a minimum of 6 hours of driving in the presence of a professional and registered driving school instructor. The main topics covered during the driving lessons in Italy are urban driving, fast lane driving and night driving.
I remind you that the quality of learning depends greatly on the complicity between the instructor and the apprentice. So don’t hesitate to ask for another instructor if you are not comfortable with yours. After each lesson, the instructor signs the learning booklet previously given by the competent authorities.
Regarding the language level, you will need to learn these few essential words:
Sinistra (Left);
Destra (Right);
Dritto (Straight);
Retromarcia (Reverse);
Parco (Parking).
By mastering these few Italian words, you will understand 90% of what the instructor tells you to do. And for the remaining 10%, it will give you an additional opportunity to improve your Italian. You will be able to choose the date of the exam after a minimum of 6 hours with an instructor.
You receive the pink sheet (foglio rosa) when you take the practical exam. This document allows you to practice driving on Italian roads provided that you are accompanied by a person with a driving license for the category you are applying for, that it was obtained at least 10 years ago and that the license holder is under 65 years old. Please note that this document is valid for 6 months.
Example of “Foglio rosa”
The practical exam can be taken at least one month after receiving the foglio rosa, the pink sheet. If you fail the exam, you will only be able to retake it once during the 6 months. If you are taking the Italian driving test for categories B or C, then it is mandatory to take the test with a car equipped with dual controls.
Is that all? Yes: no trick questions about speed limits while driving, no test to see if you know how to change a tire or check the oil level. As Lisbob told you, it is easier to get a driving license in Italy than in France.
If you pass the exam, congratulations! You automatically get the precious key to freedom: the Italian driving license. You will only be able to drive vehicles in the categories for which you have passed the test. The Italian license is called a patente. It is valid in all countries of the European Union and includes 20 points. It must be renewed every 10 years with a medical visit: this obligation increases to 5 years from 50 years old. Finally, the Italian driving license must be renewed every 3 years from the age of 70.
