Driving licence in Italy
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{{One source|date=September 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2025}}
{{Infobox Identity document
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| image_caption = Licence front
| image2 = IT licence (back).jpg
| image_caption2 = Licence back
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| document_type = Driving licence
| purpose = Identification
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In Italy, the driving licence is a governmental right given to those who request a licence for any of the categories they choose. It is required for every type of motorized vehicle.
A driving licence in Italy is a European driving licence, adhering to Directive 2006/126/EC and valid throughout the European Economic Area.{{Cite web |last=Fantozzi |first=Matteo |date=1 May 2025 |title=La patente in Italia si prende a 18 anni, ma non ovunque è così: come cambiano le cose all'estero? |url=https://www.diregiovani.it/2025/05/01/460165-la-patente-in-italia-si-prende-a-18-anni-ma-non-ovunque-e-cosi-come-cambiano-le-cose-allestero.dg/ |access-date=8 May 2025 |website=diregiovani.it |language=it-IT |trans-title=In Italy you get a driving licence at 18, but this isn't the case everywhere: how do things change abroad?}}
The minimum age to obtain a driving licence is as follows:
- 16 years for a motorcycle of 125cc with a limit of motor power of 11 kW; a quadricycle motor (cars with a weight of 400 kg – 550 kg if it is for freight transport) and a motor power not exceeding 15 kW)
- 18 years for a car or motorcycle without a limit for the engine cylinder capacity and a limit of motor power of 35 kW
- 21 years for minibuses, three-wheelers without a limit of motor power, and cargo vehicles
- 24 years for motorcycles without limits of motor power; buses
The so-called "patentino" (small driving licence) was an Italian licence given to young people with a minimum age of 14 years. This licence permitted teenagers to drive scooters and "micro-cars" (small cars with a maximum motor power of 4 kW and a maximum speed of 45 km/h). In 2013, this was replaced with a new category of driver's licence.{{Citation needed|date=September 2021}}
Since February 2011, new drivers (less than one year) must not drive vehicles with an engine power greater than 70 kilowatts (95 horsepower), to reduce the number of teenager-caused collisions.{{cite news|title=Temporary restrictions on the use of high-power vehicles significantly reduce teen driver accident rates |url=https://cepr.org/voxeu/columns/temporary-restrictions-use-high-power-vehicles-significantly-reduce-teen-driver |website=cepr.org |date=3 August 2023 |access-date=1 October 2023}}
Obtaining a driver's licence
The Italian driving licence can be obtained after finishing a driver's education course and passing a two-stage test: a theory test and a driving test. An elementary school diploma is also required to obtain a valid driving licence.{{Cite web|url=http://www.patente.it/ecom.dll/noAjax?idc=1094|title = Manuali bilingue della patente a e B}}
In order to pass the theory test, an applicant cannot make more than three mistakes on a total of thirty questions related to road signs and street code articles. The test is timed and must be completed in twenty minutes. A failed theory test can be retaken once. After passing the theory test, the applicant receives a foglio rosa (learner's permit) that allows them to drive accompanied by an adult with ten or more years of driving experience. The permit is valid for twelve months, within which a driving test must be taken. A failed driving test can be retaken twice (three attempts overall).{{Cite web|url=http://www.patente.it/ecom.dll/noAjax?idm=1268|title = Prontuario parte pratica pat. B}}