Also in the us you dont need a drivers license to drive as long as the police doesnt catch you. The process of establishing reciprocity continues to be slow, since many informal agreements require individual tailoring to meet the requirements of each u. Driving in europe is very different from driving in the united states. How to get an italian drivers license in 8 easy steps. Insurance and drivers license see below international driving permits. International driver s license an international driver s license may be required to drive in some european countries. Apr 29, 2020 the american automobile association aaa advises getting an international driver s permit, recognized in over 150 countries, even if you dont plan to drive when traveling. Do i really need an international drivers license in italy. In most states, a graduated licensing law applies to newlylicensed teenage drivers, going by names such as provisional driver, junior operator, probationary driver, or intermediate license. If you want to live in italy and drive, youll need an italian drivers license. This process can be easily entered online, with scanned images of photo, driver license and signature, by regular post mail, or applying in person at the miami headquarters offices. Road speeds are also faster on the autostrada, the italian equivalent of the interstate, than most places in the u. I hadnt used the license driven anywhere in several years at the time that it expired, but now im thinking of using it again for short tripsrentals.
Driving in italy united states army garrison italy. Also, get information on renting a car and what other documents you may need while driving in the u. The international driving permit provides a translation of your domestic drivers license, in 10 languages, breaking down language barriers you may encounter while traveling. A safe trip abroad the department of state has prepared some useful tips for enjoying a safe trip abroad. Youll need an international drivers permit in italy tripsavvy. The state of california does not recognize an international driving permit idp as a valid driver license. If youre going on a business or leisure trip to italy and plan on renting or driving a car, youll want to make sure you obtain an international drivers permit or international driving license before you travel. If you get stopped by the italian police without an international driver s permit, or an official sworn translation of your home license, the fine. International drivers licence rick steves travel forum. I hadnt used the licensedriven anywhere in several years at the time that it expired, but now im thinking of using it again for short tripsrentals. Youll find on expat forums or facebook groups that many people say that theyve been driving for years with their us license. An idp is an official translation of your us license making it easier for the cop to write out a ticket. Ten tips for americans driving in italy garrett on the road. Insider gathered the cost of getting a drivers license in 20 countries, then used the current exchange rate to see each cost in us dollars.
If you get stopped by the italian police without an international drivers permit, or an official sworn translation of your home license, the fine. Its not a license, requires no test, and is basically a translation of your drivers license. As such, you must complete a series of tests at the local drivers license office in italy to obtain a license. Since italy hosts thousands of american soldiers and several military bases, i would have. Hi all, im a us citizen with a us driver s license living in the netherlands. While most laws are similar, roads are typically smaller, traffic patterns differ and there are far more motorcycles, bicycles and pedestrians. Although its possible to take your exams and get your license directly through italy s motorizzazione civile the italian dmv, for the uninitiated, most italians recommend getting your license via a certified driving school, or autoscuola. Americans registered as residents with the local vital records bureau known as anagrafe must apply for an italian license within one year of the date of registration. A helpful website is please note that this website is not endorsed in any way by the department of state. How to get an italian drivers license from italy, with love. I am planning an impromptu trip to tuscany with two friends for the second week in july so just over a month from now. Geographical areas which honor inter american driving permits convention on regulation of inter american motor vehicle traffic, organization of american states, washington, d.
Heading to pick up a car from hertz seems to be just another seamless activity. Can i drive in the united states with an italian drivers. A priority issue for american citizens resident in germany is the reciprocal recognition of drivers licenses from the two countries. Jan 23, 2017 if you move to italy, youll have to substitute your us drivers license with an italian one within a year of moving to italy. Youll need an international drivers permit in italy. California does recognize a valid driver license that is issued by a foreign jurisdiction country, state, territory of which the license holder is a resident. As a trusted name in the car rental industry for over six decades and more than 20,000 pickup locations in italy and around the world, auto europe is able to answer all of your italy car rental questions. An international driving permit in italy is required by law if you plan to operate a vehicle in italy whether youre renting a car in italy or booking an international rental which will take you briefly across the italian border. Once you arrive in italy you will be ineligible to obtain the license, so it. Kelly is a business travel writer, member of the american society of travel writers, and author of two childrens book series. You can drive a scooter up to 125 cc with an international license translation. The socalled patentino small driving licence was an italian licence given to youngsters with the minimum age of 14 years. The ministry of transportation in italy does not waive the skills and road tests for u.
Hi all, im a us citizen with a us drivers license living in the netherlands. In italy the driving licence is a governmental right given to those who request a licence for any of the categories they desire. You should check with the embassy of the country you plan to visit or live in to find specific drivers license requirements. There are websites selling international drivers licenses these are scams, avoid them. How to get an italian drivers license the limonata lounge. These licenses restrict certain driving privileges, such as. Drivers in possession of a licence issued by any eu country do not require an international driving permit or. However, some countries also require an international driving permit idp. To drive in italy, you must either have an italian drivers license or one. The international driving permit, or idp is a document that over 150 united nations member countries have adopted to allow properly licensed drivers from one member state to drive the roads and byways of other member states.
This document came into existence by virtue of a treaty signed in 1949 by the united states and other foreign countries. If youre lucky and you already have a license issued by the eu or one of the countries on this list, you can simply convert your license to an italian one. Do i need an international driving permit in italy. Drivers in possession of a licence issued by any eu country do not require an international driving permit or a sworn translation of their own licence. This includes country specific information on virtually every country in the world, travel alerts and travel warnings. If you are not in possession of the license, there could be serious consequences for you to face. You must obtain an international drivers license for italy if you plan to explore the country on your own by car.
It is required for every type of motorized vehicle. A properly issued idp, when carried with a valid drivers license issued by the travelers resident country or state. Please contact the dmv in the state that issued your drivers license. Read below to learn about the steps necessary to get a license if you or your sponsor are assigned to vicenza. Documents required to drive in italy driving licences issued by any of the eu member states are valid throughout the european union, including italy. Tourists may also use their valid american drivers license if accompanied by an official translation in italian. My driver s license expired last autumn september 20. Driving licence exchange and recognition in the eu italy. Driver s licenses issued in the united states have a number or alphanumeric code issued by the issuing states department of motor vehicles or equivalent, usually show a photograph of the bearer, as well as a copy of the bearers signature, the address of the bearers primary residence, the type or class of license, restrictions, endorsements. First, it is required by law that you have an international driver s license in italy. In fact, the italian ministry of transportation has decided that those in possession of american drivers licenses cannot directly apply for an. The cost of getting a drivers license in 20 countries.
Contrary to popular opinion, anarchy does not rule the roads in italy. The idp is only a translation of information contained on a persons foreign driver license and is not required to operate a motor vehicle in california. Its not an international drivers license, its an international drivers permit. In fact, theres no universal standard for getting a drivers license, meaning that both the difficulty and cost will vary greatly. Yes but i would also get an international drivers license too. Where to get an international drivers license in italy. Wed like to rent a car to reach our destinations in tuscany, but i am the only person with a drivers licence of any sort, and it has just come to my attention that italy requires an idp.
You will need an international drivers permit for driving in italy. At the minimum age of 16 years, italians can take the. International automobile association inc 1221 south 21st avenue, hollywood, florida 33020, united states license and registration of international automobile association inc. Croatian drivers licenses can be obtained at the local police station where the u. Im 17 with an american drivers license, can i drive in. If planning to drive outside italy, it is recommended that drivers obtain an international driver s license prior to arriving in italy.
Geographical areas which honor interamerican driving permits convention on regulation of interamerican motor vehicle traffic, organization of american states, washington, d. If planning to drive outside italy, it is recommended that drivers obtain an international drivers license prior to arriving in italy. Im 17 with an american drivers license, can i drive in italy. International drivers license an international drivers license may be required to drive in some european countries. Whether youre american or canadian, your passport and driver s license are all you need in most european countries.
Members of the european community can have their drivers licenses converted to italian but u. Driving in france france in the united states embassy. Things to know before renting a car in italy anna everywhere. Though these are the steps i took, other expats have been able to talk their way out of the classes and driving practice and complete the process in a much shorter. Renting a car in poland with american drivers license. I suggest you do not do this if you want to go back home alive. Rules to drive in italy info italian tourism official. Ultimately, i learned how to navigate the draconian drivers license system in italy. Soldiers and dependents must have a setaf license to register and drive a setaf registered vehicle in italy. Is m italian driving licence valid in usa or do i need an idp. Every country has their own rules of accepting other countries driving licenses. Citizens contact the dmv in the state that issued their drivers license for such requests. The international driving permit idp is a document that provides important information from your drivers license in eleven different languages, including english.
May 17, 2017 you can drive a scooter up to 125 cc with an international license translation. To drive a motorcycle overseas, soldiers need an mfc certificate and motorcycle endorsement on their u. Members of the european community can have their driver s licenses converted to italian but u. The american automobile association issues international drivers licenses in the united states for us citizens who go to france for a short period of time less than 90 days. Some countries require hours of classes and training, and these extra fees can add up. I suppose you have eu drivers license, like this one. Applicaton aata american automobile touring alliance.
The american automobile association aaa advises getting an international drivers permit, recognized in over 150 countries, even if you dont plan to drive when traveling. The minimum age to obtain a restricted driver license in the us varies from 14 years, three months in south dakota to as high as 17 in new jersey. Driving permit in italy for us citizens rick steves travel. Your italian license is valid for driving in the united states. Driving permit in italy for us citizens rick steves. Italy drivers license guideline or requirments free cancellation. Americans visiting italy as tourists and intending to drive should obtain an international driving permit before leaving the u.
The international driving permit idp is a document that provides important information from your driver s license in eleven different languages, including english. Since its founding in 1932, the american automobile touring alliance aata has been assisting and advocating for travelers wishing to drive private passenger automobiles, motorcycles and other motor vehicles while traveling abroad whether on vacation, visiting family and friends or for business purposes. Americans registered as residents with the local vital. There are small cars that are ok for 16 year olds here. Italian law requires drivers that dont have a europeanunion driving license to show their home country license as well as an international driving permit if or when theyre pulled over, and your rental car company may or may not require one or even ask about one when you put down a credit card toconfirm your rental car reservation in person. Driving licences issued by any of the eu member states are valid throughout the european union, including italy. How to get an italian drivers license i first got my driving permit when i was 15, which became a full drivers license when i was 16, according to the rules of my home state of south carolina. It is illegal to drive without a valid license and insurance in most countries. This blog post from another american living in italy recounts in great detail just how draconian this process can be, also how unstandardized. The international driving permit provides a translation of your domestic driver s license, in 10 languages, breaking down language barriers you may encounter while traveling. After you have been in italy for one year you will be expected to get an italian license. If you are stopped while driving within italian borders, you will be asked to present this special license.
Is m italian driving licence valid in usa or do i need an. Since 2015, poland requires from american driver license holders an. The freccia or italo trains are by far the quickest and easiest way to get from venice to rome. You will be able to rent a car with just your us license but if you get pulled over by the police. Unless one ends up in poland and assumes that poland is like any other eu country. Entry for tourism business american citizens can enter spain or andorra visafree for periods of up to three months. I could wait until im back in the states again to renew, but i dont have plans to go back in the near future. Traveling in europe is easy, hoping from country to country and renting locally cars at any known car rentals like hertz is easy and predictable. How to apply for an international driving licence in the. If you have further questions concerning the international drivers license in italy, give us a call tollfree. Unfortunately, there is no agreement for reciprocal recognition of drivers licenses between the united states and italy. My drivers license expired last autumn september 20. Be aware also that the setaf license is valid only in nato countries.
The legal driving age in italy is 18 years old, but you must have had your license for at least a year to rent a car, and many car rental companies will charge you an extra fee if youre under 25. When i was going to us i was told that its better to have international driving license, so i requested that one, but frankly speaking nobody wanted to see it. Also known as the international driving permit, this document allows you to drive in italy. Read below to learn about the steps necessary to get a license. If the permit expires while abroad, you may apply for a new one by mail through the american automobile association aaa, worldwide travel dept. This licence permits italian teenagers to drive in italy scooters and microcars small cars with maximum motor power of 4 kw and maximum speed of 45 kmh. Some states require an international driving permit idp from foreign nationals, in addition to a valid lic. You can also drive drunk in america, as long as you dont get pulled over and given a sobriety test. Italy car rental faqs your italy car rental questions answered. You only need to fill out the application form and attach a copy of current valid driver license, and color photo.
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