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Foglio Rosa Italy β What It Is & How to Use It
The Foglio Rosa is your authorisation to practise driving in Italy (it is not a licence). Learn what it allows, the rules for accompanied driving, and how long it lasts.
Once you pass the Patente B theory exam, you receive the Foglio Rosa β your authorisation to practise driving before the practical exam. It is not a licence. It's your gateway to legally practise driving before the practical exam.
What is the Foglio Rosa?
The Foglio Rosa (pink sheet) is a temporary document issued by the Motorizzazione Civile (MIT) that authorises you to drive on Italian roads for practice purposes. It is not a full licence β you cannot drive alone.
It is valid for 12 months from the date of issue. Within that time you can take the practical exam up to 3 times (the first attempt and 2 retakes), no earlier than 1 month after issue.
Rules for Driving with the Foglio Rosa
You may drive only:
Your license is waiting.
Chapter 1 is completely free. No credit card. Cancel anytime. Just you and the road.
- With an accompanying driver (not a professional instructor) who has held Patente B for at least 10 years, is not over 65 and is seated next to you, but only after your autoscuola lessons on motorways or extra-urban roads and at night, and carry the school's certificate with you
- On all road types including motorways and at night
- In a vehicle equipped with dual controls if using an autoscuola instructor
Mandatory Autoscuola Hours
Even with a Foglio Rosa, you must complete the compulsory driving lessons at a licensed autoscuola before you can sit the practical exam. They must include driving on motorways or extra-urban roads and driving at night, certified by the autoscuola. DM 294/2025 sets them at 8 hours in four modules (2 hours of vehicle and safety basics, 3 urban, 2 on motorways or extra-urban roads, 1 at night), but it is not applied in practice yet: it applies only once the implementing decree of the Ministry is in force, and only to a foglio rosa issued after that. Until then the previous rule (DM 20-04-2012: at least 6 hours) still applies, and some autoscuole still accept 6 hours. Ask your autoscuola which rule applies to you.
You cannot skip these compulsory hours even if you have been driving abroad for decades.
How to Get the Foglio Rosa
- Pass the theory exam at the Motorizzazione or an authorised centre
- The Motorizzazione registers your pass automatically
- You then receive the Foglio Rosa
- If you are a privatista (self-study candidate), you receive it directly from the Motorizzazione office
When the Foglio Rosa Expires
The Foglio Rosa is valid for 12 months, and within that time you can take the practical exam up to 3 times (the first attempt and 2 retakes). If it expires, or you fail the practical 3 times, you need a new application.
Prepare Your Theory Exam with Driving Freedom
The Driving Freedom app simulates the full Motorizzazione theory exam: 30 statements, 20-minute timer, 6,700+ questions in the bank.
Your license is waiting.
Chapter 1 is completely free. No credit card. Cancel anytime. Just you and the road.
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