Italy Patente B Theory Test Study Guide 2026

How to get a car licence in Italy

In Italy the car licence is called the patente B. You must be 18 to hold it. Younger riders can get other categories, for example B1 for light quadricycles at 16. The road rules are in the Highway Code (Codice della strada), which came into force on 1 January 1993.

The licence is issued by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport (MIT) through its motor vehicle offices (Motorizzazione). Most people prepare with a driving school (autoscuola), which also handles the paperwork.

1. Apply for the licence and pass the medical check.
2. Pass the theory test (esame di teoria) within 6 months of applying.
3. Receive the learner's permit (foglio rosa) and practise driving.
4. Take the practical test (prova pratica) at least one month later, while the foglio rosa is still valid.
5. Receive your licence. You are a new driver (neopatentato) for 3 years.

The theory test (esame di teoria)

Since 20 December 2021 the theory test for categories A1, A2, A, B1, B and BE has 30 questions. You have 20 minutes, and you pass if you make no more than 3 mistakes. Before that date the test had 40 questions and 30 minutes.

The Italian test is unusual: every item is a statement, often about a sign or a picture of a junction, and you mark it true (vero) or false (falso). The Ministry publishes the full list of statements for the B licence.

The foglio rosa and the practical test

When you pass the theory test you receive the foglio rosa (authorisation to practise driving). Every foglio rosa issued since 10 November 2021 is valid for 12 months. In that time you can take the practical test up to 3 times. The first practical test can be taken no sooner than one month after the foglio rosa is issued.

Practising with a family member or friend

• Before practising outside the driving school, a B learner must take school lessons on motorways or main roads outside towns and at night, and carry the school's certificate.
• The person sitting beside you must be 65 or under and have held a licence for the same category for at least 10 years (or hold a higher category).
• The car must show a sign with the letter P. Driving school cars show 'scuola guida' instead.
• Driving without the permit or without a qualified supervisor brings a heavy fine, and the car can be taken off the road for three months.

Rules for new drivers (neopatentati)

For the first 3 years after you get a B licence, extra limits apply.

The zero-alcohol rule also applies to every driver under 21 and to professional drivers of buses and lorries, whatever their age.

Speed limits

These are the general limits for cars. Signs can set lower limits, and on some roads higher ones.

• An urban road can have a limit of up to 70 km/h if the road is suitable and signs show it.
• On some three-lane motorways with an emergency lane, the operator may set up to 150 km/h.
• Over the limit by more than 40 km/h: fine and licence suspension of 1 to 3 months.
• Over the limit by more than 60 km/h: higher fine and suspension of 6 to 12 months.

Alcohol, phones and the points licence

The general alcohol limit is 0.5 g/l. Penalties rise with the level, and fines are higher between 22:00 and 07:00.

• Refusing an alcohol test is punished like the highest band.
• If a drunk driver causes a crash, penalties are doubled and the car is impounded for 180 days.
• After a conviction above 0.8 g/l, your licence can carry codes 68 and 69: no alcohol, and only cars with an alcolock.

Phones

You may use a phone only with a hands-free kit or earpiece that needs no hands. A first offence brings a fine and a licence suspension of 15 days to 2 months; a second within two years, 1 to 3 months.

The points licence (patente a punti)

• Every licence starts with 20 points.
• No more than 15 points can be taken at once for several offences found together.
• Two years with no offences restores lost points up to 20, or adds 2 bonus points if you already have 20, up to a maximum of 30.
• An approved refresher course gives back 6 points.
• If you lose all your points, you must retake the licence exam.

Seat belts, children and breakdowns

• Everyone in the car must wear a seat belt, front and back.
• Children under 1.50 m must use an approved child restraint suited to their weight.
• In a car registered in Italy, a child under 4 in a child seat needs an approved anti-abandonment alarm.
• Never fit a rear-facing child seat in front of an active airbag.
• The driver is responsible if a child passenger is not restrained, unless another adult in charge of the child is on board.

If you stop on the road outside a built-up area at night, or when other drivers cannot see you in time, place the warning triangle behind the car. Before you get out, put on a reflective vest (giubbotto retroriflettente). This also applies on emergency lanes and in lay-bys.

Road signs and priority

Italy uses the same sign shapes as most of continental Europe: red triangles warn, red circles forbid, blue circles give orders, and blue squares give information. Many theory test statements are about signs, so learn them well.