Resource
Driving Licence Exchange Italy — Country-by-Country Table
Find out if your country has a reciprocal exchange agreement with Italy — and whether you need to take the full Patente B exams or can convert directly.
25
Exchange without exams
3
Check with the Motorizzazione
12
Full exams required
⏰ 12-month rule: With a valid non-EU/EEA licence you can drive in Italy for up to 12 months after you become resident, carrying an International Driving Permit or an official Italian translation of the licence. After that you may drive only with an Italian licence. If your country has a conversion agreement, you can convert without exams if your licence is still valid, you obtained it before becoming resident, and you apply within the agreement's limit (4 or 6 years of residency). Otherwise you must pass the Italian exams.
Full Country Table
| Country | Region | Exchange | Notes | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | EU | Yes | EU licence — exchange without exams | Convert when it expires; if it has no expiry date (or a longer validity than EU rules allow), 2 years after residency |
| France | EU | Yes | EU licence — exchange without exams | Convert when it expires; if it has no expiry date (or a longer validity than EU rules allow), 2 years after residency |
| Spain | EU | Yes | EU licence — exchange without exams | Convert when it expires; if it has no expiry date (or a longer validity than EU rules allow), 2 years after residency |
| Poland | EU | Yes | EU licence — exchange without exams | Convert when it expires; if it has no expiry date (or a longer validity than EU rules allow), 2 years after residency |
| Romania | EU | Yes | EU licence — exchange without exams | Convert when it expires; if it has no expiry date (or a longer validity than EU rules allow), 2 years after residency |
| Netherlands | EU | Yes | EU licence — exchange without exams | Convert when it expires; if it has no expiry date (or a longer validity than EU rules allow), 2 years after residency |
| Belgium | EU | Yes | EU licence — exchange without exams | Convert when it expires; if it has no expiry date (or a longer validity than EU rules allow), 2 years after residency |
| Portugal | EU | Yes | EU licence — exchange without exams | Convert when it expires; if it has no expiry date (or a longer validity than EU rules allow), 2 years after residency |
| Greece | EU | Yes | EU licence — exchange without exams | Convert when it expires; if it has no expiry date (or a longer validity than EU rules allow), 2 years after residency |
| Sweden | EU | Yes | EU licence — exchange without exams | Convert when it expires; if it has no expiry date (or a longer validity than EU rules allow), 2 years after residency |
| Austria | EU | Yes | EU licence — exchange without exams | Convert when it expires; if it has no expiry date (or a longer validity than EU rules allow), 2 years after residency |
| Hungary | EU | Yes | EU licence — exchange without exams | Convert when it expires; if it has no expiry date (or a longer validity than EU rules allow), 2 years after residency |
| Czech Republic | EU | Yes | EU licence — exchange without exams | Convert when it expires; if it has no expiry date (or a longer validity than EU rules allow), 2 years after residency |
| Bulgaria | EU | Yes | EU licence — exchange without exams | Convert when it expires; if it has no expiry date (or a longer validity than EU rules allow), 2 years after residency |
| Croatia | EU | Yes | EU licence — exchange without exams | Convert when it expires; if it has no expiry date (or a longer validity than EU rules allow), 2 years after residency |
| Norway | EEA | Yes | EEA licence — exchange without exams | Convert when it expires; if it has no expiry date (or a longer validity than EU rules allow), 2 years after residency |
| Switzerland | Non-EU (bilateral) | Yes | Bilateral agreement until 12 June 2031 — exchange without exams | Drive on it up to 12 months after residency; convert within 6 years of residency |
| United Kingdom | Non-EU (bilateral) | Yes | Bilateral agreement until 30 March 2028 (extendable) — exchange without exams | Drive on it up to 12 months after residency; convert within 6 years of residency |
| Ukraine | Non-EU | Check | Check conversion eligibility with the Motorizzazione Civile | Drive on it up to 12 months after residency |
| Japan | Non-EU (bilateral) | Yes | Bilateral agreement — exchange without exams | Drive on it up to 12 months after residency; convert within 6 years of residency |
| South Korea | Non-EU (bilateral) | Yes | Bilateral agreement — exchange without exams | Drive on it up to 12 months after residency; convert within 6 years of residency |
| Taiwan | Non-EU (bilateral) | Yes | Bilateral agreement — exchange without exams | Drive on it up to 12 months after residency; convert within 6 years of residency |
| Iran | Non-EU | No | No agreement — full theory and practical exams required | Drive on it up to 12 months after residency |
| Pakistan | Non-EU | No | No agreement — full theory and practical exams required | Drive on it up to 12 months after residency |
| Bangladesh | Non-EU | No | No agreement — full theory and practical exams required | Drive on it up to 12 months after residency |
| India | Non-EU | No | No agreement — full theory and practical exams required | Drive on it up to 12 months after residency |
| Egypt | Non-EU | No | No agreement — full theory and practical exams required | Drive on it up to 12 months after residency |
| Morocco | Non-EU | Check | Check conversion eligibility with the Motorizzazione Civile | Drive on it up to 12 months after residency |
| Nigeria | Non-EU | No | No agreement — full theory and practical exams required | Drive on it up to 12 months after residency |
| Philippines | Non-EU | Check | Check conversion eligibility with the Motorizzazione Civile | Drive on it up to 12 months after residency |
| China | Non-EU | No | No agreement — full theory and practical exams required | Drive on it up to 12 months after residency |
| Brazil | Non-EU (bilateral) | Yes | Bilateral agreement until 28 April 2030 — exchange without exams (categories A and B only) | Drive on it up to 12 months after residency; convert within 6 years of residency |
| Mexico | Non-EU | No | No agreement — full theory and practical exams required | Drive on it up to 12 months after residency |
| United States | Non-EU | No | No agreement, federal or state. Only diplomatic and consular staff and their families can convert. | Drive on it up to 12 months after residency |
| Canada | Non-EU | No | No agreement, federal or provincial. Only diplomatic and consular staff can convert. | Drive on it up to 12 months after residency |
| Algeria | Non-EU (bilateral) | Yes | Bilateral agreement until 4 April 2031 — exchange without exams | Drive on it up to 12 months after residency; convert within 6 years of residency |
| Tunisia | Non-EU (bilateral) | Yes | Bilateral agreement until 20 July 2030 — exchange without exams | Drive on it up to 12 months after residency; convert within 6 years of residency |
| Senegal | Non-EU | No | No agreement — full theory and practical exams required | Drive on it up to 12 months after residency |
| Sri Lanka | Non-EU (bilateral) | Yes | Bilateral agreement until 9 April 2031 — exchange without exams | Drive on it up to 12 months after residency; convert within 6 years of residency |
| Afghanistan | Non-EU | No | No agreement — full theory and practical exams required | Drive on it up to 12 months after residency |
FAQ
Which countries can exchange their driving licence in Italy without taking exams?
EU and EEA licences are equivalent to Italian ones and can be converted without exams. Non-EU countries with a current conversion agreement include Switzerland, the UK, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Algeria, Tunisia, Brazil and Sri Lanka. A non-EU licence converts without exams only if it is still valid, you obtained it before becoming resident in Italy, and you apply within the agreement's time limit (4 or 6 years of residency). See the full table above.
How long do I have to exchange my foreign licence in Italy?
With a valid non-EU licence you can drive in Italy for 12 months after you become resident (iscrizione anagrafica). To keep driving after that you need an Italian licence. If your country has a conversion agreement, apply within its limit: 4 or 6 years of residency, depending on the country (see the table). An EU/EEA licence needs converting only when it expires, or 2 years after you become resident if it has no expiry date (or a longer validity than EU rules allow).
What happens if my country has no exchange agreement with Italy?
You must pass the Italian theory exam (30 true/false statements in 20 minutes, at most 3 errors), complete the compulsory driving lessons at an autoscuola (8 hours under DM 294/2025, not yet applied in practice; some autoscuole still accept 6 hours, so ask yours), and pass the practical driving test. Driving Freedom helps you study in your native language.
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