Fifteen questions on the Italian category B driving test, one per page, each answered in the first line with the article of the Codice della Strada that sets the rule. The two numbers most often confused: the licence application lasts six months and gives two theory attempts, the foglio rosa lasts twelve months and gives three practical attempts.
The category B theory test allows at most three wrong answers out of thirty. The test is thirty true or false statements answered in twenty minutes, and an unanswered statement counts as a mistake. A fourth mistake fails the test. Source: the exam programme of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport.
Source: Articolo 121 del Codice della Strada e programma d'esame del MIT.
The theory test can be sat twice under one licence application, within six months of filing it. After a fail at least one month must pass before the next attempt. Once both attempts are used or the six months run out, a new application is needed. Source: articles 121 and 122 of the Codice della Strada.
Source: Articoli 121 e 122 del Codice della Strada.
Someone who fails the theory test has the right to a second attempt under the same licence application, no sooner than one month later and within six months of filing. After two fails a new application must be filed with the Motorizzazione, with a new payment. Source: articles 121 and 122 of the Codice della Strada.
Source: Articoli 121 e 122 del Codice della Strada.
Theory test mistakes can be seen by requesting the Scheda Esame (exam sheet) on the Portale dell'Automobilista, from the day after the test. A Portale account or SPID login is needed. The sheet shows any mistakes made, is emailed as a PDF to the registered address and can be downloaded for seven days. Source: Portale dell'Automobilista.
Source: Portale dell'Automobilista, servizio Scheda esame patente e relativa FAQ; articoli 121 e 122 del Codice della Strada.
Candidates with a DSA diagnosis can sit the theory test with extra time and audio support for the questions, under ministerial decree no. 243 of 1 June 2021. The certificate is shown at the medical check. The exact minutes for the current 20 minute test should be confirmed with the Motorizzazione. Source: Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport.
Source: Decreto ministeriale n. 243 del 1° giugno 2021 e circolare MIT n. 28649 del 15 settembre 2021.
The foglio rosa is valid for twelve months from the date of issue and gives the right to three practical attempts. It is issued only after the theory test has been passed, and the first practical attempt cannot be taken until one month after issue. Source: article 122, paragraph 6, and article 121 of the Codice della Strada.
Source: Articoli 121 e 122 del Codice della Strada.
The practical test cannot be taken until one month after the foglio rosa is issued, which happens once the theory test is passed. The outer limit is the expiry of the foglio rosa, twelve months after issue, and all three practical attempts must fit inside it. Source: article 121, paragraph 8, and article 122 of the Codice della Strada.
Source: Articoli 121 e 122 del Codice della Strada.
A smooth process has a legal ceiling of eighteen months: up to six months of application validity to pass the theory, then twelve months of foglio rosa for the practical. The real duration varies a lot by province and there is no official national average of waiting times. Source: articles 121 and 122 of the Codice della Strada.
Source: Articoli 121 e 122 del Codice della Strada.
The category B practical test takes place in a dual control car with a Ministry examiner on board: preliminary checks, at least two manoeuvres including one in reverse and at least 25 minutes of driving on the road. In 2025, 83.82 per cent of tests were passed. Source: article 121 of the Codice della Strada and MIT data.
Source: Articolo 121 del Codice della Strada e direttiva 2006/126/CE, allegato II.
In the category B practical test the examiner asks for at least two manoeuvres, one of them in reverse. The repertoire covers reversing straight or around a corner, turning the car round, parallel, angled or bay parking and precise braking to a stop, while emergency braking is optional. Source: directive 2006/126/EC, annex II.
Source: Direttiva 2006/126/CE, allegato II, e articolo 121 del Codice della Strada.
The practical test has no error count like the theory: the examiner decides the outcome. Dangerous behaviour ends the test, such as the instructor using the controls, failing to give way or running a red light. In 2025, 16.18 per cent of tests were not passed. Source: Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport data.
Source: Articolo 121 del Codice della Strada e direttiva 2006/126/CE, allegato II.
One foglio rosa allows three practical attempts, all within the twelve months the document is valid. The first cannot come before one month from issue, and at least one month must pass after each failed attempt. Once the three are used, the theory result can be carried over once. Source: article 121 of the Codice della Strada.
Source: Articoli 121 e 122 del Codice della Strada.
After failing the practical test the candidate keeps any unused attempts on the foglio rosa, which gives three within twelve months. The next test comes after at least one month, with a new N019 payment. Once all are used, the theory can be carried over once onto a new foglio rosa. Source: article 121 of the Codice della Strada.
Source: Articoli 121 e 122 del Codice della Strada.
In Italy the category B licence is obtained at eighteen, under article 115 of the Codice della Strada. At seventeen only accompanied driving is possible today. The new EU licence directive allows a category B licence at seventeen with an accompanying driver, but it does not yet apply in Italy. Source: article 115 of the Codice della Strada.
Source: Articolo 115 del Codice della Strada.
The category B licence can be obtained without enrolling at a driving school, by filing directly with the Motorizzazione Civile. The state fees listed by the Ministry are 26.40 euro plus 16.00 euro stamp duty with the application, and 16.00 euro for each practical test. Compulsory driving school lessons still apply. Source: Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport.
Source: Articoli 121 e 122 del Codice della Strada e pagina MIT sul conseguimento della patente B.
A new driver is someone who has held a category B licence for less than three years. For three years they may drive cars up to 75 kW per tonne and 105 kW, with limits of 100 km/h on motorways, 90 km/h on main extra-urban roads and zero alcohol. Source: articles 117 and 186 bis of the Codice della Strada.
Source: Articoli 117, 126 bis e 186 bis del Codice della Strada.
Each answer names the article of the Codice della Strada, or the authority that sets the rule, in the same line as the number. Where a figure is not published by an official source, for example the cost of a licence or waiting times for a slot, the page says so and points to the Motorizzazione Civile instead of estimating a value. The pass rates quoted come from the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport and are broken down by province on the statistics page.
For practice there is the category B quiz, with original questions written on the exam topics. Longer explanations of the procedures are in the guides, in particular the ones on how the theory test works and on the foglio rosa.
Educational content. For the official rules, see the Codice della Strada and legal notes.