How to convert a non-EU or UK driving licence in Italy

What it is

A driving licence from outside the EU and EEA lets you drive in Italy for one year after you register your residence at your comune. After that, you need an Italian licence (patente). There are two ways:

• Conversion (conversione): if Italy has a reciprocity agreement with the country that issued your licence, you swap it at the Motorizzazione Civile, the transport office.
• The Italian test: if there's no agreement, you take the theory and practical tests, usually through a driving school (autoscuola).

The year starts from your residence registration, not from your arrival or your permesso.

Can you convert yours?

• UK licences can be converted under the agreement between Italy and the UK (it also covers Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man).
• Other countries: check the Ministry's list. Agreements cover, among others, Albania, Argentina, Brazil, Japan, Morocco, Serbia, Switzerland, Tunisia, Turkey and Ukraine.
• No agreement (for example the United States): you need to pass the Italian tests.

Don't wait too long. Conversion is only possible within a set time of becoming resident: four years for some countries (for example Switzerland or Ukraine) and six years for others (including the UK). After that, it's refused or you have to pass a driving test.

Before you start

You'll need:

• Form TT2112, filled in.
• A medical certificate from an authorised doctor.
• Your original licence and a copy of both sides, with an official translation if the Ministry asks for one for your country.
• Your ID, codice fiscale and permesso di soggiorno.
• Two passport photos.
• Proof of payment of the fees (through PagoPA).

Steps

1. Check your country on the Ministry page.
2. Get the medical certificate and the translation if needed.
3. Pay the fees through PagoPA.
4. Apply at your Motorizzazione Civile office (find it on the Portale dell'automobilista), handing in your foreign licence.
5. Receive your Italian licence.

Cost

Ministry fees and stamp duty (shown when you pay), plus the doctor's fee and any translation.

Common pitfalls

• Driving after the first year. Once the year from your residence registration has passed, your foreign licence isn't valid in Italy until it's converted.
• Missing the four- or six-year window. After it, conversion isn't possible without a test.
• Assuming a US licence converts. It doesn't: start the Italian tests early.

When to ask a helper

Ask someone from your country who converted their licence at your provincial Motorizzazione recently: they'll know how long it took and what was asked for.