Patente B · Italy

Italian Driving Licence for Iran Citizens

How to get your Italian Patente B if you are from Iran — 12-month rule, exam process, costs, and how to study in Persian (Farsi).

✗ No exchange agreement — exams requiredNon-EU / Long-stay visa required

Licence Exchange Status for Iran

Iran has no reciprocal licence exchange agreement with Italy. You must pass both theory and practical exams from scratch.

⏰ 12-month rule: You can drive in Italy on your Iranian licence for up to 12 months after you register your residency. After that, you need an Italian licence to drive.

Step-by-Step: Getting Your Patente B from Iran

Get your codice fiscale and complete the iscrizione anagrafica at your local comune. This starts the 12-month clock on your foreign licence.

Obtain a medical certificate

Required for all applicants. Get it from a recognised doctor or ASL centre. Cost: €20–€50.

Study the theory

Learn the Italian Highway Code in Persian (Farsi) with Driving Freedom. The official exam is in Italian but studying in a language you know well first is far more effective.

Book and pass the theory exam

Apply at your local Motorizzazione Civile office (form TT 2112, fees paid through PagoPA) or let an autoscuola apply for you. The exam takes place at the Motorizzazione: 30 true/false statements in 20 minutes, with at most 3 errors.

Complete practical driving hours

Before the practical exam you must complete compulsory driving lessons at an autoscuola (driving school), with a qualified instructor. The new decree DM 294/2025 sets them at 8 hours in four modules: 2 hours of vehicle and safety basics, 3 hours of urban driving, 2 hours on motorways or extra-urban roads and 1 hour of night driving. It is not applied in practice yet: it applies only once the implementing decree of the Ministry is in force, and only to learners whose foglio rosa is issued after that. Until then the previous rule (at least 6 hours, including motorway or extra-urban roads and night driving) still applies, and some autoscuole still accept 6 hours. Ask your autoscuola which rule applies to you.

Pass the practical exam

Conducted by a Motorizzazione Civile examiner. You must book through an autoscuola or driving instructor.

Receive your Patente B

Valid for 10 years (shorter for drivers over 50). Issued by the Motorizzazione Civile.

Cost Breakdown

Item	Cost
Theory study (Driving Freedom app)	€0–€120
Medical certificate	€20–€50
Theory exam fee (Motorizzazione)	~€16
Practical driving lessons (8 h under DM 294/2025; some autoscuole still accept 6)	€180–€450
Practical exam fee	~€80
Licence issuance fee	~€30
Total (estimate)	€300–€800

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Iran have a reciprocal licence exchange agreement with Italy?

Iran has no reciprocal licence exchange agreement with Italy. You must pass both theory and practical exams from scratch.

How long is my Iran licence valid after I move to Italy?

You can drive in Italy on your Iranian licence for up to 12 months after you register your residency. After that, you need an Italian licence to drive.

Can I study for the Italian theory exam in Persian (Farsi)?

Yes. Driving Freedom teaches the Italian Highway Code (Codice della Strada) with study support in Persian (Farsi). The official exam is in Italian, but learning the concepts in a language you know well first is the most effective preparation strategy.

What is the Italian theory exam like?

30 questions from the Codice della Strada. 20 minutes. Maximum 3 errors allowed to pass. Topics include road signs, right-of-way, vehicle safety, speed limits, and penalties.

How much does it cost to get a Patente B in Italy?

Total cost ranges from €300–€800 (Driving Freedom estimate, October 2026) depending on whether you use an autoscuola (driving school) or study independently (privatista). The state fees are €10.20 + €16 for the theory exam application and €16 for the practical exam, paid through PagoPA. Driving lessons at an autoscuola (8 compulsory hours under DM 294/2025, not yet applied in practice; some autoscuole still accept 6) cost €180–€450 (Driving Freedom estimate, October 2026).

How do I get an Italian driving licence as an Iranian citizen?

As an Iranian citizen, you cannot exchange your Iranian licence for an Italian one — there is no bilateral agreement. You must register your Italian residency, obtain a medical certificate, study the Italian Highway Code (ideally in Persian/Farsi), pass the theory exam at the Motorizzazione Civile, complete the compulsory driving lessons at an autoscuola with a qualified instructor (8 hours under DM 294/2025, not yet applied in practice; some autoscuole still accept 6 hours, so ask yours), and pass the practical exam. Total cost: approximately €300–€800 (Driving Freedom estimate, October 2026).

Can I take the Italian driving theory exam in Persian (Farsi)?

No. The official theory exam is only available in Italian, French, and German. However, you can study for it in Persian using the Driving Freedom app, which provides bilingual lessons in Persian and Italian. Understanding the concepts in your native language first is the most effective way to pass.

How long is my Iranian driving licence valid after moving to Italy?

You can drive in Italy on your Iranian licence for up to 12 months from the date you register your residency (iscrizione anagrafica) at your local comune, as long as the licence is still valid and you carry an International Driving Permit or an official Italian translation of the licence. After 12 months, driving on it in Italy is illegal and you need an Italian licence.

Do I need an autoscuola (driving school) as an Iranian privatista?

You do not need an autoscuola for the theory exam. As a privatista you study independently and apply directly at your local Motorizzazione Civile office (form TT 2112, with the fees paid through PagoPA on the Portale dell'Automobilista). However, Italian law requires compulsory driving lessons at an autoscuola before the practical exam: DM 294/2025 sets them at 8 hours, but it is not applied in practice yet and some autoscuole still accept 6 hours, so ask your autoscuola which rule applies to you. Some autoscuola involvement is therefore unavoidable for the practical stage.

Codice della Strada

→ Italian Highway Code in English — Complete Glossary → Traffic Signs in Italy → Right of Way Rules in Italy → Speed Limits in Italy → Drink Driving Laws Italy — BAC Limits

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From the Blog

→ 12-Month Rule for Non-EU Drivers in Italy → How to Convert Your Foreign Licence to Patente B → How to Register as a Privatista → Pass the Italian Exam Without Fluent Italian → Your 3-Month Patente B Study Plan → What to Expect from the Theory Exam → How to Prepare for the Practical Exam → Best Apps for Patente B — 2026 Comparison

Study in Persian (Farsi) — Start Free

Driving Freedom teaches the Italian Codice della Strada in Persian (Farsi). 10-minute daily sessions. AI tutor. Exam simulator in the real exam format.