View source for Driver's license

Rules for foreigners willing to drive in Italy vary depending whether the driver is an European citizen or not. You should have a valid driving license to drive cars, motorcycles and '''also moped or scooters.'''

==EU citizen==
[[Rules for EU citizens|Rules for EU nationals]] states that you have the right to drive in Italy with your home country issued [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Driving_Licence European driving license] without any problem.

==Non EU citizen==
In general as a non EU national you cannot legally drive in Italy with your home country driving license unless:

* either you obtained from your home country an [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Driving_Permit International driving license or permit] (''permesso internazionale di guida'')
* or you obtained a certified translation (by an Italian consulate abroad or by your home country consulate in Italy) of your driving license (you must ask for clarification and specific directions concerning your country to the relevant Italian embassy).
'''AND'''
*you have not asked for the residency in Italy or you have asked from less than one year

'''Warning''': This general rule allows you to drive forever in Italy unless you take the '''residency''' (not the domicile). If you take the residency you have an year grace period in which you can drive according to the rule above. Note that in order to take the residency in Italy you should specifically ask for it at the Municipality (the address you give when you apply for the permit of stay is considered to be your domicile). After this grace period expires - unless your country enjoy a special status - you have to take an Italian driving license (and hence you have to pass a drive exam or - if you're lucky - you have to convert your driving license). 

===Conversion===
Nationals from the countries listed on [http://www.trasporti.gov.it/page/NuovoSito/site.php?p=cm&o=vd&id=2718 this website] in the ''PATENTI NON COMUNITARIE'' section have the right to ask for their driving license to be converted in an Italian one. The procedure to obtain this conversion is, however, quite cumbersome. In order to obtain the conversion you should go to the relevant office (''ufficio motorizzazione'') with the following:

*A filled [https://www2.ilportaledellautomobilista.it/WebModuleModuli/app?nomePdf=TT2112&service=download TT2112 form];
*A photocopy (of both the front and back side) of your driving license;
*2 passoport size pictures (''fototessere''). One of those pictures should be authenticated by the general practitioner who issues the medical certificate attesting that you're fit to drive;
*A receipt showing that you paid 9 euros into postal account n. 9001 and another one showing that you paid 29.24 euros into postal account n. 4028 (these taxes change quite frequently check with the ''ufficio motorizzazione'' before paying anything)
*A copy of your [[permit to stay]];
*A medical certificate attesting that you're fit to drive with a ''marca da bollo'' on it ;
*A photocopy of the medical certificate;
*A translation -  with a ''marca da bollo'' on it -  of your driving license that must be authenticated by the consulate of your home country and approved by the prefettura;

If you have time to waste you're free to try to fight against Italian bureaucracy all alone. Our suggestion is to ask for help to a driving school or to the ''ACI''.

===Exam===
You should pass a written test and then you must show on the road that you can drive. We should warn you that Italian driving license exams are quite expensive (up to 1000 euros).