Patente B Medical Requirements Italy (2026)

Before you can sit the Patente B theory exam in Italy, you need a medical certificate — the certificato medico — confirming you are fit to drive. This guide explains exactly what that involves.

The Standard Medical Visit (Visita Medica)

For most applicants, the medical is a straightforward appointment at a licensed medical centre or your GP who is authorised to issue driving certificates. It takes around 10–15 minutes and covers:

• Vision test — a licensed doctor checks your eyesight against the national standards
• Blood pressure and heart rate
• Neurological reflexes
• General fitness declaration

Cost: approximately €50–80 (Driving Freedom estimate, October 2026; varies by city) at a private Centro di Medicina Legale or ASL (public health authority, lower cost but requires booking).

The certificate must be issued no more than 3 months before you submit your application for the theory exam.

Vision Check

A licensed doctor checks your eyesight and general fitness against the national standards. If you wear glasses or contact lenses, bring them to the medical visit.

Who Needs Specialist Clearance?

Some applicants must get additional sign-off from a specialist before the standard medical examiner will issue the certificate:

• Diabetes (insulin-dependent) → endocrinologist or diabetologist
• Epilepsy or seizure history → neurologist
• Cardiovascular disease → cardiologist
• Psychiatric diagnosis → psychiatrist
• Hearing impairment → audiologist (hearing aids allowed; certain thresholds required)

If you have any of the above conditions, start this process early — specialist appointments in Italy can take several weeks (Driving Freedom estimate, October 2026; varies by office).

Where to Get the Medical Certificate

1. ASL (Azienda Sanitaria Locale) — local public health office; cheapest option (~€10–20, Driving Freedom estimate) but slower booking
2. Patronati (ACLI, INCA, CAF) — can often refer you to authorised doctors and help with paperwork
3. Private Centri di Guida Sicura — faster, €50–80 (Driving Freedom estimate), same-day appointments usually available (Driving Freedom estimate, October 2026; varies by office)
4. Your GP — if they hold the authorisation (abilitazione) to issue driving medical certificates

How Driving Freedom Helps

The Driving Freedom app gives you 6,700+ exam practice questions with spaced repetition and timed mock exams — exactly the preparation you need while you wait for your medical appointment.

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