Can I drive in Italy with a foreign license?
If you are an EU and EEA (European Economic Area) citizen:
Yes, you are allowed to drive in Italy with your foreign license. If your home-country driving license has no expiration date, you can keep driving in Italy with your license for 2 years (24 months) from the time your start legally start residing in Italy. If you legally reside in Italy, and your home-country driving license has a validity period, you can keep driving in Italy with your home-country license up until the document expires.
After expiration, you can convert your driving license into an Italian one.
If you are NOT an EU and EEA (European Economic Area) citizen:
Yes, you are allowed to drive in Italy with your foreign license.You can keep driving around with your home-country valid license for 1 year from the time your start legally start residing in Italy provided that (in addition to the foreign driving license) you hold an International Driving Permit or a certified translation of your driving license. At the end of the first year of residency in Italy, if there is a reciprocity agreement between Italy and your home Country, you have to convert your driving license into an Italian one. If that is not possible, you must obtain an Italian license by passing the Italian driving exams (theory and practice, both conducted in Italian).
Where can I get an International Driving Permit?
The international driving permit is issued by the same authority of the State of origin that has issued the driving license, as in accordance with the applicable international treaties: the Vienna Convention of 8 November 1968 or the Geneva Convention of 19 September 1948, depending on what treaty was signed by the country of origin, if any.
Where can I get a certified translation?
A certified translation can be obtained in Italy through a professional translator or through the Italian Consulate in the foreign Country that issued the driving license.
Who is considered a resident in Italy for matters related to the driving license?
People living in Italy legally and most of their time (at least 185 days per year), and having in Italy their main personal interests (e.g. family, life, relationships, house etc).
Has my country stipulated a reciprocity agreement with Italy?
If you are an EU or SEE citizen, you can certainly convert your driving license into an Italian one as per applicable EU legislation.
If you are an extra EU and SEE citizen, you have to verify whether your country of origin has stipulated with Italy a bilateral agreement of reciprocal recognition of driving licenses.
A full list of countries whose driving licenses are convertible in Italy is kept by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport. You can consult the list here, under the section “conversione di patente non comunitaria”. Please note that is not possible to renew or convert European Union driver’s licenses originally converted from a non-EU State with which there is no reciprocity agreement with Italy in place.
What if I cannot convert my license?
If it is not possible to convert your driver’s license, please consult this page where you can find the “scuola guida” (driving school) nearest to you. Please note that classes, tests and practice are all conducted in Italian.
