Foreign driving licences in Italy (2026)

Last reviewed: 9 October 2026

In short: EU licences stay valid until expiry, or for two years from residence if they have no expiry date. Licences from outside the EU/EEA are valid until the holder has been resident for one year.

RuleWhat applies
Licence from another EU/EEA state valid for a visitorUsing a foreign driving licenceYes [1]
EU/EEA licence after becoming a residentUsing a foreign driving licenceMay be kept until its expiry date if its validity conforms to Directive 2006/126/EC. A licence without an expiry date, or valid for longer than the Directive allows, is valid for two years from the date of residence in Italy (residence acquired after 19 January 2013) and must then be converted. [2]
Licence from outside the EU/EEA for a visitorUsing a foreign driving licenceMay drive in Italy the vehicles for which the licence is valid, as long as the holder has not been resident in Italy for more than one year. A licence that does not match the international convention models must be accompanied by an official Italian translation or an equivalent document. [3]
Licence from outside the EU/EEA after becoming a residentUsing a foreign driving licenceMay drive in Italy the vehicles for which the holder is qualified for up to one year from the acquisition of residence. After that a conversion (only where a reciprocity agreement exists) or an Italian licence is needed. [2]
International Driving Permit needed with an EU/EEA licenceUsing a foreign driving licence⚠ Not yet verified

Notes

  • The text read from the Gazzetta Ufficiale is the version published with a 1996 decree amendment effective 1 January 1997; later amendments to article 135 were not checked.
  • The pages read for EU licences do not say whether an International Driving Permit is needed; article 135 asks for a translation only where the licence does not match the international convention models.

Sources

  1. Prefettura - Ufficio Territoriale del Governo di Savona (Ministero dell'Interno): PATENTI - Patenti estere (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
  2. Ministero delle Infrastrutture e dei Trasporti (ilportaledellautomobilista.it): Conversione della patente di guida comunitaria / extracomunitaria (Allegato 2 - Conversione patente estera) (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
  3. Gazzetta Ufficiale della Repubblica Italiana: Codice della strada, art. 135 - Circolazione con patenti di guida rilasciate da Stati esteri (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources

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General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.