Can I drive in Italy with my foreign licence immediately after arriving?

Yes, if you have an EU/EEA licence: it is valid indefinitely in Italy. If you have a non-EU licence: you can drive for 1 year from the date of acquiring residence in Italy, then you must convert or obtain an Italian licence. After that year, driving with a foreign licence is an offence.

My licence expires while I wait for conversion. What do I do?

Submit the conversion application before expiry. Once the process is started, the Motorisation office issues a temporary document (driving permit) allowing you to drive while awaiting the final document. If the licence has already expired, go to the Motorisation office immediately.

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Converting a foreign driving licence to Italian: procedure by country

The ability to convert a foreign driving licence to an Italian one depends on the nationality of the document. EU/EEA citizens can use their licence directly in Italy (and can update it to Italian without an exam). Citizens of non-EU countries with a bilateral agreement can convert it without an exam. All others must take the full Italian driving test.

Authority

Motorizzazione Civile (MIT)

Time

30 min

Updated

May 2026

What you need

✓Valid foreign driving licence
✓Valid residence permit (for non-EU citizens)
✓Identity document / passport
✓Tax code (Codice Fiscale)
✓Certificate of residence
✓Passport-size photos (2)
✓Revenue stamp + fees (varying amounts by conversion type)

Step-by-step procedure

Identify your category

Category A — EU/EEA (Austria, Belgium, Germany, France, Spain, etc.) and Switzerland: you can drive directly with your licence. To formally convert it to Italian, go to the Civil Motorisation (MIT) with your documents: the swap is automatic without an exam. Category B — Countries with bilateral agreements (including: Albania, Algeria, Japan, Morocco, Moldova, San Marino, Sri Lanka, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, Uruguay and others): conversion without exam at the Motorisation office. Category C — all others: you must enrol at a driving school and take the full theoretical and practical exam.

The updated list of countries with bilateral agreements is available on the MIT website. Check before proceeding: it changes frequently.

Conversion without exam (EU or agreement countries)

Go to the Civil Motorisation (MIT) office in your province or an authorised driving school/vehicle admin agency. Submit the required documentation (original licence, residence permit, residence certificate, tax code, photos, revenue stamps). The original licence is retained and sent to the country of origin. You will receive a temporary driving permit and the Italian licence within 30-60 days.

A driving school can manage the entire process for you, with a service fee of approximately €100-300 plus taxes.

Full exam (countries without agreement)

Enrol at an Italian driving school. You must pass the theoretical exam (road code quiz, 30 questions, max 4 errors) and the practical exam on the school's vehicle. The original foreign licence is retained by the Motorisation office after the Italian one is issued. While waiting to take the exam, you can drive with your original foreign licence + a pink slip (provisional authorisation) for a maximum of 6 months.

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Frequently asked questions

Responsible authority

Authority

Motorizzazione Civile (MIT)

Phone

Certified email

Website

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The information in this guide is for orientation only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Always verify on the official portal of the responsible authority.