Updated April 24, 2026
Driving License in Italy for Expats
Yes, for 1 year from registration of residenza anagrafica for non-EU / non-EEA licences (Art. 135 CdS). EU/EEA licences remain valid for their full printed validity period.. After that, you must convert to a Italy license. The official test is only in Italian, but you can practice in English with AutoviaTest.
Key Facts: Italy Driving License for Expats
- Test Authority
- Motorizzazione — Ministero delle Infrastrutture e dei Trasporti
- Official Test Language
- Italian, French (Valle d'Aosta only), German (Alto Adige / South Tyrol only)
- Grace Period
- 1 year from registration of residenza anagrafica for non-EU / non-EEA licences (Art. 135 CdS). EU/EEA licences remain valid for their full printed validity period.
- Processing Time
- 1-3 months at most Uffici Motorizzazione Civile (UMC) once the dossier is complete; can be longer in large metropolitan areas (Roma, Milano) due to appointment backlogs on the Portale dell'Automobilista.
- Theory Test Required
- Not for exchange
- Practical Test Required
- Not for exchange
- Medical Exam
- Required
- Total Cost
- Exchange path: approximately €150-€300 including medical, translation and PagoPA fees. Full-test path (non-reciprocal countries): typically €800-€2,000+ through an autoscuola, depending on whether you self-study (privatista) or take a full autoscuola package.
Eligibility by Nationality
EU/EEA Citizens
EU / EEA licences are equated to Italian licences and remain valid in Italy for the full validity period shown on the card (Art. 136-bis Codice della Strada, D.Lgs. 285/1992). No exchange is needed while the licence is in force; a voluntary conversione comunitaria is possible and becomes mandatory only on licence expiry, category change, loss/theft, or following a revisione of driving fitness.
US/UK Citizens
United Kingdom (incl. Gibraltar, Jersey, Guernsey, Isle of Man): bilateral Italy-UK agreement in force from 30 March 2023 (MIT Circolare n. 9570 del 22/03/2023), currently valid until 30 March 2028 — exchange without tests for holders resident in Italy for less than 6 years at time of application; those who became resident in Italy by 31 December 2020 are exempt from the 6-year limit. USA: NO general bilateral agreement — US drivers must pass the full Italian theory and practical exams after the 1-year grace period (only US diplomatic / consular staff may convert).
Other Non-EU Citizens
A non-EU / non-EEA licence may be used to drive in Italy for 1 year from the date of acquisition of residenza anagrafica (Art. 135 Codice della Strada). You must carry either an International Driving Permit (IDP) or an official Italian sworn translation of the licence. After that year you may only keep driving if your country of issue has a reciprocity agreement with Italy AND you have filed the conversione before the deadline set by that agreement — otherwise you must pass the full Italian patente B theory and practical exams.
Students
Foreign students with a permesso di soggiorno per motivi di studio may drive on their original licence with an IDP or sworn Italian translation for the duration of the study stay, provided they do not acquire residenza anagrafica. Once residency is registered, the standard 1-year rule of Art. 135 CdS starts.
Required Documents
- ✓Valid passport and permesso di soggiorno (or carta d'identità for EU nationals)
- ✓Codice fiscale (tessera sanitaria)
- ✓Certificato di residenza anagrafica from your comune
- ✓Original foreign licence + photocopy (front and back)
- ✓Sworn Italian translation of the licence (traduzione giurata / asseverata) — not required for UK English licences when submitted with the equivalence table published in the 2023 bilateral agreement
- ✓Certificato medico di idoneità alla guida from a medico monocratico (autorizzato) — includes an eyesight test
- ✓2 recent passport-size photos (formato tessera, 35×40 mm)
- ✓Modulo TT2112 (conversion application form)
- ✓PagoPA receipts: €10.20 diritti + €32.00 imposta di bollo + €16.00 bollo on the medical certificate
Costs Breakdown
- Conversion/Exam Fee
- €42.20 total to the Motorizzazione for the TT2112 conversion: €10.20 diritti + €32.00 imposta di bollo, both paid via PagoPA from the Portale dell'Automobilista (the historic postal c/c 9001 and 4028 are no longer accepted).
- Medical Exam
- €50-€100 depending on the medico monocratico / ASL, plus a €16.00 marca da bollo affixed to the certificato medico.
- Translation
- €60-€150 for a traduzione giurata (sworn translation) at a Tribunale — free/not applicable for UK licences under the 2023 agreement and for licences already issued in Italian by San Marino / Switzerland.
- Total Estimated
- Exchange path: approximately €150-€300 including medical, translation and PagoPA fees. Full-test path (non-reciprocal countries): typically €800-€2,000+ through an autoscuola, depending on whether you self-study (privatista) or take a full autoscuola package.
License Exchange Agreements
Direct Exchange (No Test Required) · 56
License Exchange Agreements
Direct Exchange (No Test Required) · 56
— EU / EEA (equated to Italian licences under Art. 136-bis CdS): —AustriaBelgiumBulgariaCroatiaCyprusCzech RepublicDenmarkEstoniaFinlandFranceGermanyGreeceHungaryIcelandIrelandLatviaLiechtensteinLithuaniaLuxembourgMaltaNetherlandsNorwayPolandPortugalRomaniaSlovakiaSloveniaSpainSweden— Non-EU reciprocity list (MIT / Motorizzazione Civile — verify agreement validity date at time of application): —Albania (agreement valid until 12/07/2026 — renewal pending)AlgeriaAndorra (valid until 31/08/2029)ArgentinaBosnia and Herzegovina (valid until 17/03/2030)Brazil (valid 28/04/2025 – 28/04/2030)PhilippinesIsrael (valid until 22/08/2028)JapanKosovo (valid until 29/01/2030)LebanonNorth MacedoniaMoldovaMonacoMoroccoSan MarinoSerbia (valid until 17/12/2028)South KoreaSri LankaSwitzerland (valid until 12/06/2026 — renewal pending)TaiwanTunisiaTurkey (valid until 18/07/2028)Ukraine (valid until 24/01/2027)United Kingdom incl. Gibraltar, Guernsey, Isle of Man, Jersey (valid until 30/03/2028)
No Agreement (Full Test Required): Countries with no reciprocity agreement — notably the United States (ordinary citizens), Canada (ordinary citizens), Australia, New Zealand, China, India, Mexico, most of Africa, most of Latin America, most of the Middle East (except those listed above) — must pass the full Italian patente B theory quiz and practical driving exam after the 1-year Art. 135 CdS grace window.
Tips for Expats in Italy
- Since 2011 the Italian theory exam is administered in Italian only (with French in Valle d'Aosta and German in Alto Adige as the sole regional exceptions) — plan for Italian-language study if you are not from a reciprocity country.
- Article 135 of the Codice della Strada gives you exactly 1 year from registering residenza anagrafica to switch to an Italian licence; after that driving without conversion carries a €408-€1,634 administrative fine and the licence is seized.
- The Codice Fiscale must be obtained from an Agenzia delle Entrate office before you can pay the PagoPA slips or open a Portale dell'Automobilista account.
- UK licences are exchangeable without tests under the bilateral agreement of 30 March 2023 (in force until 30 March 2028) — but only if you became resident within the last 6 years, or were already resident by 31 December 2020.
- US, Canadian, Australian, Chinese, Indian and Mexican ordinary residents have NO reciprocity and must pass both the theory quiz and the practical test — a full autoscuola package is typically €800-€2,000.
- ZTL (Zone a Traffico Limitato) cameras in historic centres issue automatic fines that follow a foreign plate abroad — read the signage carefully, particularly in Firenze, Roma, Milano and Bologna.
- A "privatista" (self-study) candidate can register directly at the UMC for the theory + practical, bypassing the autoscuola, but must still pass the same two Italian-language exams.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take the Italian driving test in English?
No. Since 2 January 2011 the official Italian patente B theory quiz has been administered in Italian only. The sole regional exceptions are French (Valle d'Aosta) and German (Provincia Autonoma di Bolzano / Alto Adige), reflecting those regions' co-official languages. Earlier multi-language options (English, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Russian) were removed by MIT in 2011. English-language apps such as AutoviaTest help you learn the patente B content, but the exam is taken in Italian.
How long can I drive in Italy with my foreign licence?
Under Article 135 of the Codice della Strada (D.Lgs. 285/1992), a non-EU / non-EEA driving licence is valid in Italy for 1 year from the date you register residenza anagrafica, provided you also carry an International Driving Permit (IDP) or an official Italian sworn translation. EU / EEA licences are equated to Italian licences under Article 136-bis CdS and remain valid for the full printed validity period.
What is a codice fiscale and why do I need one?
The codice fiscale is Italy's 16-character tax identification code, issued by the Agenzia delle Entrate to any resident and to many non-resident foreigners. It is required to pay PagoPA slips, to open a Portale dell'Automobilista account, to file the TT2112 conversion form, and to book the medical exam — essentially every step of the conversione patente requires it. Apply in person at an Agenzia delle Entrate office with your passport; issuance is free and usually immediate.
Can I convert a US driving licence in Italy?
No — the United States and Italy have NO general reciprocity agreement on ordinary driving licences (only diplomatic and consular staff benefit from a limited arrangement). After the 1-year Art. 135 CdS grace window from registering residency, US citizens must pass the full Italian patente B theory quiz (in Italian) and the practical driving test through an autoscuola or as a privatista. Budget €800-€2,000 and several months of study.
Can I exchange my UK licence in Italy after Brexit?
Yes. The Italy-UK bilateral agreement on mutual recognition of driving licences entered into force on 30 March 2023 (MIT Circolare n. 9570 del 22/03/2023) and currently runs until 30 March 2028. UK residents in Italy for less than 6 years at the time of application may exchange their UK licence without tests; those who became resident in Italy by 31 December 2020 are exempt from the 6-year limit. The agreement also covers Gibraltar, Guernsey, Isle of Man and Jersey.
What does the conversione patente cost in 2026?
At the Motorizzazione you pay €10.20 diritti + €32.00 imposta di bollo via PagoPA from the Portale dell'Automobilista (TT2112 nomenclator N003) — €42.20 in administrative fees. You also pay for the medical certificate (€50-€100 + €16.00 marca da bollo) and, if applicable, a sworn Italian translation of the foreign licence (€60-€150). The total typically falls between €150 and €300. If your country has no agreement, budget €800-€2,000+ for the full autoscuola + exam path instead.
Do I need a sworn translation of my foreign licence?
Yes for most countries: non-Italian licences must be accompanied by a traduzione giurata (asseverata) produced by a sworn translator at a Tribunale, or an IDP (International Driving Permit) issued in the country of origin. The 2023 Italy-UK agreement removes this requirement for UK English licences; San Marino and Swiss licences already issued in Italian are also exempt. For all other non-EU countries a sworn translation is expected at the Ufficio Motorizzazione counter.
What is the Portale dell'Automobilista?
Il Portale dell'Automobilista (ilportaledellautomobilista.it) is the official MIT / Motorizzazione Civile portal for Italian driving-licence services. You log in with your codice fiscale and credenziali SPID / CIE to book UMC appointments, pay PagoPA slips, check your licence point balance, find authorised medical examiners, and monitor the status of a conversione patente in progress.
What happens if I drive in Italy more than 1 year after residency without converting?
Under Art. 135 CdS you face an administrative fine of €408-€1,634 and the foreign licence is seized by the enforcement officer, forwarded to the Prefetto, and then transmitted to the local Ufficio Motorizzazione for conversion (if possible) or return to the issuing State. You also lose the ability to drive legally in Italy until the Italian licence is issued.
Is there a residency deadline by which I must file the conversione?
Yes for most non-EU countries with a bilateral agreement. The Motorizzazione generally refuses to process a conversione if the applicant has been resident in Italy for more than 4 years at the time of application (this is explicit in the bilateral texts for Albania, Argentina, Switzerland, Ukraine and several others). The UK-Italy agreement uses a 6-year window instead. Always verify the exact limit for your country of issue on the MIT page before booking the UMC appointment.
Can I take the test as a privatista (self-study) instead of using an autoscuola?
Yes. Italian law allows you to register for the theory quiz and practical test directly with the Ufficio Motorizzazione as a privatista, bypassing the autoscuola. You will still have to pass the two Italian-language exams and obtain a foglio rosa (learner permit) for at least 6 hours of supervised practice before the practical test. Most foreigners find an autoscuola worth the extra cost for the Italian-language teaching material and the 12-quiz simulations.
Is an Italian licence valid across the rest of the EU?
Yes. The patente italiana is issued in the harmonised EU credit-card format and is recognised throughout the EU / EEA while it remains valid. If you later move to another EU country you keep using the Italian licence until it expires or needs to be replaced under the destination country's rules (e.g. §28 FeV in Germany, service-public.fr F1758 in France).