Patente B · Italy

Italian Driving Licence for United States Citizens

How to get your Italian Patente B if you are from United States — 12-month rule, exam process, costs, and how to study in English.

✗ No exchange agreement — exams requiredNon-EU

Licence Exchange Status for United States

The USA has no licence-conversion agreement with Italy, either federal or with individual states. Only US diplomatic and consular staff and their families can convert a US licence. Everyone else must pass the Italian theory and practical exams.

⏰ 12-month rule: You can drive in Italy on your US 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 United States

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 English 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 United States have a reciprocal licence exchange agreement with Italy?

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

You can drive in Italy on your US 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 English?

Yes. Driving Freedom teaches the Italian Highway Code (Codice della Strada) with study support in English. 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).