Driving Licences in Italy: Exchanging a Foreign Licence

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Driving Licences in Italy: Exchanging a Foreign Licence

Drivers in Italy must be at least 18 years of age and carry a valid driver's licence (patente). A person driving without a licence is subject to fines. 

Holders of certain foreign licences may be eligible to exchange the licence for an Italian one. This does not apply to special and heavy duty licences which must be reapplied for in Italy.

Holders of a Driving Licence Issued by Non-EU/EEA Country

Holders of a standard driving licence issued from a country outside the European Union/European Economic Area (non-EU/EEA ) may drive in Italy using the foreign licence for up to one year after obtaining residency. If the licence or permit does not conform to international conventions, the driver must have that licence officially translated into Italian or carry an International Driving Permit (IDP). The translation or the IDP must be carried at all times together with the original driving licence. A translation of a licence can be obtained from the appropriate Consulate or Embassy for a small fee. 

For holders of a driving licence issued by a non-EU/EEA country who wish to continue driving in Italy after their first year of residency an Italian licence must be obtained, whether by exchange or by completing the required theoretical and practical tests before the end of the first year of residency.

Note: On being issued with an Italian licence in exchange for a non-EU/EEA licence, the original licence will no longer be valid anywhere and may be marked as such or taken away by the authorities.

Exchanging a non-EU/EEA driving licence for an Italian licence

Some countries have a reciprocal exchange arrangement with Italy whereby a person with a valid licence issued by one of these countries may swap their licence for an equivalent Italian one. If such a reciprocal arrangement exists, the foreign licence must be exchanged for an Italian driving licence within the first year of residency. If the exchange is not done within a year, full testing must be successfully completed in order to receive an Italian licence.

• As of October 2008, countries with a reciprocal exchange agreement include: Algeria, Argentina, Croatia, Estonia, Philippines, Japan, Lebanon, Lithuania, Macedonia, Malta, Morocco, Moldova, Norway, Monaco, Republic of Korea (South Korea), San Marino, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tunisia, Turkey (Note: This list is subject to change. Please check beforehand with the relevant Embassy or Consulate or through a local office of the Ministry of Transport/Ministero dei Trasporti)
• Special exchange agreements exist for the diplomatic staff and families of Canada, Chile, the USA and Zambia
• For a list from the Ministry of Transport of countries with reciprocal exchange agreements: Click here (in Italian)

To convert a foreign licence the holder should go to the nearest Provincial Office of Motor Vehicles (Ufficio Provinciale della Motorizzazione Civile) and be prepared to provide the following:

• Application form TT 2112 (obtained at the Office of Motor Vehicles or for a PDF version: Click here)
• The licence and at least one clear photocopy of front and back
• Official translation of the licence (may not be required)
• Valid ID and at least one photocopy of the front and back
• Residence permit and at least one photocopy of the front and back
• Two recent passport photographs (white background, head uncovered)
• Medical certificate issued within the previous six months certifying that the driver is physically and mentally fit
• Receipt of payment of the fee (for the current fee amount, inquire at the Office of Motor Vehicles)

The original licence will be retained or stamped as exchanged. Expect the process to take up to four months after which an Italian licence will be issued.

For licences issued by Argentina and Romania, proof of authenticity must also be provided. This can only be obtained from the Italian Consulate in those countries. 

Drivers with licences that may not be exchanged will need to take a full Italian theory and practical driving exam to obtain an Italian licence.

• For information on obtaining an Italian licence, see the AngloINFO INFOrmation Page: Getting an Italian Driving Licence

Holders of a Driving Licence Issued by an EU/EEA Country

A valid driving licence issued by a European Union/European Economic Area (EU/EEA) member state is automatically accepted in all other member states. People with EU/EEA-issued driver's licence who take up residence in Italy are not required to exchange it for an Italian licence although the holder may optionally exchange it at any time. If a traffic violation occurs and points must be taken from the licence, residents of Italy who are holders of an non-Italian EU licence will be required to exchange it for an Italian licence.

If the holder of a driving licence issued by another EU/EEA country wants to exchange it for an Italian licence, no theoretical or practical tests will be necessary. 

Though holders of a driver's licence issued by an EU/EEA country are not required to exchange their licence for an Italian licence, they are encouraged to register to have their licence recognised by their local Comune and/or provincial Office of Motor Vehicles (Motorizzazione Civile) within 90 days of obtaining residency in order to facilitate renewals and replacement in case of loss or theft. If the driving licence is stolen or destroyed and it was not registered, it will be necessary to go through the relevant Consulate or Embassy for the issuance of a new one. 

For those holding an EU/EEA licence that does not conform to current international conventions (for example the "old" UK license that does not include a photograph), it is suggested an official translation be carried with the licence. This translation can be obtained through a relevant Consulate or Embassy or through the Automobile Club of Italy (Automobile Club d'Italia, ACI).

• For the ACI website: Click here

Note: In accordance with EU regulations on the recognition of licences, Italian licence regulations will apply to the driver's EU/EEA licence regarding:

• The period of validity of the licence
• Required medical checks
• Minimum driver's age
• Penalties and restrictions, including suspension, withdrawal and cancellation of the licence

The validity periods of an Italian licence are as follows:

• Ten years for people under the age of 50
• Five years for those between 50 and 70 years of age 
• Three years thereafter

As Italian licence regulations apply to anyone obtaining residence in Italy, for residents under 50 years of age who hold a driving licence from another EU/EEA country, their licence will expire 10 years after residency is obtained, regardless of the validity period of the EU/EEA licence they hold. For those between 50 and 70-years of age, their EU/EEA licence will expire 5 years after the first day residency is obtained. At this time, the foreign licence must be surrendered and exchanged for an Italian licence.

• For example, a 35-year old person holding a UK licence with a validity period up to age 70 will be required to exchange it for an Italian licence after they have been resident in Italy for 10 years. This Italian licence will need to be renewed again in 10 years, in adherence to Italian law.

Exchanging an EU/EEA licence for an Italian licence

To convert a foreign licence the holder should go to the nearest Provincial Office of Motor Vehicles (Ufficio Provinciale della Motorizzazione Civile) and be prepared to provide the following:

• Application form TT 2112 (obtained at the Office of Motor Vehicles or for a PDF version: Click here)
• The licence and at least one clear photocopy of front and back
• Valid ID and at least one photocopy of the front and back
• Residence permit and at least one photocopy of the front and back
• Two recent passport photographs (white background, head uncovered)
• Medical certificate issued within the previous six months certifying that the driver is physically and mentally fit
• Receipt of payment of the fee (for the current fee amount, inquire at the Office of Motor Vehicles)

The original licence will be retained or stamped as exchanged. Expect the process to take up to four months after which an Italian licence will be issued.

Renewing an Italian Driver's Licence

In order to renew a licence, present the following at the Provincial Office of Motor Vehicles (Ufficio Provinciale della Motorizzazione Civile): 

• Form DTT 953I (For a downloadable PDF version of this form: Click here)
• Certification that the applicant has had a medical examination and has no serious health problems that could impair driving
• Payment for the licence renewal

At each renewal, a doctor's certificate is required as proof that the driver has no serious health problems that could impair driving. The doctor should be affiliated with the National Health Service, be a medical inspector for the state railway, a military medical officer in service, a police doctor, a medical inspector of the Labour and Social Policy Ministry or a medical officer for the National Corps of Fire Fighters.

The renewal could take up to 40 days to process.

• To find the nearest Office of Motor Vehicles: Click here

Related Information

• Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport (Ministerio dei Trasporti)
  Tel: 064 158 2143 / 064 158 2144
  Fax: 064 158 2145
  e-mail
  Website (in Italian)
• ACI Automobile Club Italy
  Tel: 803 116
  Tel: 06 491115/1518
  e-mail
  Website
• See the AngloINFO INFOrmation Page Driving in Italy
• See the AngloINFO INFOrmation Page Vehicle Roadworthiness Tests in Italy
• See the AngloINFO INFOrmation Page Buying & Selling a New or Used Car in Italy

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