Support us

Driving licenceItaly

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of Italy. Learn about driving, road safety and much more in our illustrated book, with answers to frequently asked questions.

For informational purposes only. Always follow official regulations. Some content and images were created with AI assistance.

Traffic signs
Traffic rules
Italy

35. Driving licence

A driving licence is an official document authorising a person to drive one or more specified categories of motor vehicle. It may contain conditions, restrictions, category codes and expiry dates that determine which vehicles the holder may drive.

Drivers must hold a licence that is valid for the vehicle category and jurisdiction concerned. A licence may be provisional, full, restricted, suspended or withdrawn, and additional qualifications may be required for professional driving.

Front of an Italian driving licence.
Wikimedia.org • CC0
Which driving-licence entitlement is needed for an ordinary car in Italy?

In Italy, category B is the usual entitlement for an ordinary passenger car (subject to vehicle-mass, seat and other licence conditions). A different entitlement may be needed for motorcycles, heavy vehicles, trailers or passenger transport.

🔗 normattiva.it • Normattiva current Road Code Article116

Can a visitor drive in Italy using a driving licence issued abroad?

A valid, full driving licence issued by another EU country is recognised for the vehicle categories it authorises, subject to the local minimum age. A learner licence or temporary replacement certificate is not automatically recognised across borders. For licences issued outside the EU, check national recognition rules.

🔗 europa.eu • Your Europe — recognition and validity of full EU licences; foreign/non-EU and resident conditions checked nationally

Does an International Driving Permit replace the original licence in Italy?

No. A valid full EU driving licence is normally sufficient for driving elsewhere in the EU; an IDP does not replace it. Non-EU licence holders should check national requirements and carry the underlying licence with any recognised permit.

🔗 europa.eu • Your Europe — recognition and validity of full EU licences; foreign/non-EU and resident conditions checked nationally

1 Italy 2 Motorway 3 Residential area 4 Speed limit 5 Footpath 6 Bike path 7 Shared-use path 8 Pedestrian zone 9 Customs 10 One-way traffic 11 Quay 12 Slope 13 Bus lane 14 Bus stop 15 Dead end 16 Stop sign 17 Give way 18 Roundabout 19 Road narrowing 20 Pedestrian crossing 21 Railway crossing 22 Mandatory direction 23 Overtaking 24 Crossing animals 25 Rockfall 26 Curve 27 Chevron 28 Wrong-way driving 29 Roadworks 30 Height limit 31 Weight limit 32 Traffic lights 33 Pedestrian lights 34 Road markings 35 Driving licence 36 Location marker 37 Traffic mirror 38 Emergency telephone 39 International border 40 Cycling route 41 End of restriction 42 No parking 43 Disabled parking 44 Traffic management 45 Reversing 46 Road surface 47 Tourist attraction 48 Horn 49 Licence plate 50 Charging station 51 Dangers 52 Cyclist 53 Motorcycle 54 Truck 55 Bus 56 Police 57 Ambulance 58 European emission standard 59 Pothole 60 Path 61 Particulates 62 Air pollution 63 Rush hour 64 Road code 65 Street gutter 66 Cargo bike 67 Forestry vehicle 68 Construction vehicle 69 Semi-trailer truck 70 Trolleybus 71 Speed pedelec 72 Delivery vehicle 73 Idling 74 Tow truck 75 Four-wheel drive 76 No vehicles 77 Bicycle 78 Motorcycle equipment 79 Rail track 80 Caravan 81 Trailer 82 Tow hitch 83 Fire truck 84 Siren 85 Convoy 86 Emergency vehicle lighting 87 Agricultural machinery 88 Electric bicycle 89 Electric vehicle 90 Pedelec 91 Quadricycle 92 Microcar 93 All-terrain vehicle 94 Van 95 Recreational vehicle 96 Scooter 97 Trikke 98 Personal mobility device 99 Skateboard 100 Segway ...