Spring has come, the weather is warm, and at the end of a very long working day you can’t wait to jump in your car and go visit that lovely village in the countryside, ready for a weekend of food, wine, fresh air and relaxation.
However, before starting the engine, did you check your driving license? Is it valid in Italy?
In order to avoid expensive fines and legal issues, here’s a brief guide about driving license’s validity, when it can be converted, when it cannot & the actions to be taken consequently.
You can convert a foreign driving license in Italy if you are a legal resident and your country has a bilateral reciprocity agreement with Italy, usually within one year of establishing residency for those non-EU licenses. If no agreement exists, you cannot convert it and must pass Italian driving exams, while EU licenses can generally be used until they expire or require renewal. Let me provide you with more details.
First of all, if you come from an EU Country or a Country belonging to the EEA (European Economic Area) your license is as valid as the Italian one, and you can drive until its expiration date.
Upon its expiration, you have to convert your foreign driver’s license into an Italian one at a Motor Vehicle Department office.
You may also apply for conversion before your license expires. In this case, you will be issued with an Italian driving license with the same expiration date as your foreign license or, if you provide a medical certificate for renewal, an Italian driving license with a new period of validity in accordance with the expiry dates applicable in Italy.
Alternatively, if you hold an EU driving license that is either valid indefinitely or has a validity period longer than that required by European Union regulations, you must convert it within two years of establishing your registered residence or habitual residence in Italy.
Keep in mind that renewing or converting an EU or EEA Country driving license is not possible if it was issued by a non-EU country with which the conditions of reciprocity laid down in Article 136 of the Italian Rules of Road do not apply, or if it was suspended or revoked by the issuing State.
Now, if you come from a non-EU Country or a Country not belonging to the EEA that does not have a bilateral agreement with Italy, you can drive up to one year after you obtained the residency in Italy.
In addition to your foreign driving license, you must have a legalized Italian translation of it or an international driving permit. Please remember that an international driving permit is just a translation of your license in multiple languages and not a substitution for that Non-EU License.
Within one year of residency in Italy, in order to keep driving, as the conversion of the Non-EU License is not permitted, you must pass the Italian driving exam – both written and practical – to obtain an Italian driving license.
Please note that the exam is only in Italian language and you are not allowed to use any kind of translation device.
Bear in mind that if you need to convert your license or take the test, you must have obtained not only your residency at the Town Hall Registrar’s Office (Municipio) you live in but also obtained your Italian ID Card to the convert or take the tests to attain your Italian Driver’s License.
This can sound a bit overwhelming, but do not worry, Principal Relocation Company can assist you in understanding what you need to do and can help you work through all necessary steps.
