Taking the Italian theory exam as a foreign resident
In Italy the driving theory test cannot be taken in English. It is in Italian or, on request, in French or German, the languages of protected minorities, with the same 30 statements in 20 minutes. Bill S.1543 of 18 June 2025 proposes English, but according to Senate records it has not been passed.
Can the Italian driving test be taken in English?
Not today. A theory test in English is not provided for, and the sources checked show no special request that makes it possible. People who do not read Italian well can choose French or German, if they know them, or request audio support with the application.
Which languages is the exam held in today?
There are three. Until 2010 the questions were also translated into other languages; with the new exam arrangements in force from 2011, translations were limited to French and German, for the communities of Valle d'Aosta and Alto Adige. According to trade sources that report the ministerial circulars, both languages can be requested anywhere in Italy when the test is booked.
| Language | Available | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Italian | Yes | Default language |
| French | Yes, on request | State it when booking |
| German | Yes, on request | State it when booking |
| English | No | Proposed by bill S.1543, not passed |
| Other languages (Arabic, Spanish, Chinese...) | No | Translations removed from 2011 |
What does the English-language bill propose?
Bill S.1543, communicated to the Senate Presidency on 18 June 2025, is titled "Introduzione della lingua inglese come opzione per l'esame di idoneità della patente di guida" (English as an option for the driving licence exam). It proposes amending article 116 of the Codice della Strada so that EU and non-EU citizens legally resident in Italy could ask to take the exam in English. It is a proposal: according to Senate records, examination in the 8th Committee began in August 2025 and the text has not been passed. Until it becomes law, nothing changes for anyone booking a test now.
Who can request audio support?
Candidates with a DSA (specific learning disorder) certificate are entitled to an audio file that reads the statements aloud, and to more time, with no further formalities according to the Portale dell'Automobilista. A notice from the Motorizzazione office in Naples (no. 04/2015) also lists foreign citizens and people without a lower secondary school certificate (licenza media) among those who can ask for audio support: the request, on stamped paper, goes in with the licence application, and without it the examiner does not allow the audio. Confirm the procedure with your own office before you apply.
The audio reads the text in the language of the test. It helps people who understand spoken Italian better than written Italian, not people who do not know the language.
Who is entitled to take a licence in Italy?
Normal residence in Italy is required. Article 118-bis of the Codice della Strada defines it as the place where a person habitually lives for at least 185 days a year. Student status in Italy for at least six months a year counts the same.
Which documents do non-EU citizens need?
On top of the documents everyone needs (form TT2112, payment N067 of 42.40 euro, medical certificate, ID document, codice fiscale), you need a valid permesso di soggiorno or, if it has expired, a copy of the renewal request. The details on the permit must match those on your ID document.
| Document | Everyone | Non-EU only |
|---|---|---|
| Form TT2112 | Yes | |
| Payment N067 (42.40 euro) | Yes | |
| Medical certificate | Yes | |
| ID document and codice fiscale | Yes | |
| Permesso di soggiorno or renewal request | Yes | |
| Audio support request, on stamped paper | Only if audio is wanted and there is no DSA certificate | |
The exact list differs between offices: confirm it with your local Motorizzazione.
Can a foreign licence be converted instead of sitting the exam?
A licence issued by a non-EU country can be converted without exams only if that country has a reciprocity agreement with Italy. The current list is on the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport website; otherwise you follow the full route. A non-EU licence can be used for up to one year from taking up residence in Italy (art. 135 of the Codice della Strada). More in the guide on converting a foreign licence.
What happens if...? Three worked cases
A worker in Brescia, who came from Pakistan with a work permit, wants to take the test in English. That is not possible: he chooses Italian and, because he reads Italian with difficulty, attaches an audio support request to his application after agreeing it with the office.
A German student in Bologna, enrolled at university for more than six months, asks for the test in German. She can do so outside Alto Adige too, stating the language when booking.
A resident of Milan with a licence from a country with no reciprocity agreement can drive on that licence for one year from taking up residence. After that, without an Italian licence, he can no longer drive in Italy and must follow the full route, from theory to practical test.
Which mistakes do foreign candidates make most often?
- Asking for audio on exam day: without a request filed with the application it is not granted.
- Filing an expired permit without the receipt of the renewal request.
- Mismatched details between the permesso di soggiorno and the ID document, for example in the transliteration of a name.
- Letting the year pass on a foreign licence without starting conversion or the exam route.
- Studying only from translations: in the exam the text is Italian, with its own trap words.
How to study without reading Italian well?
- Start with the practice test in English, where the wording can be checked in both languages.
- Move on to the Italian-only mock exam (an Italian page), in the same format as the real test.
- Review the trap-word glossary: words such as sempre, solo and mai.
Frequently asked questions
Can the Italian driving theory test be taken in English?
No. The theory test is in Italian or, on request, in French or German. Bill S.1543 of 2025 proposes English, but the public Senate records checked on 15 September 2026 do not show it as passed.
Can a foreign citizen get a driving licence in Italy?
Yes, with normal residence in Italy, meaning living there habitually for at least 185 days a year, or with student status in Italy for at least six months (Codice della Strada, art. 118-bis). Non-EU citizens also need a permesso di soggiorno.
Can the application be filed with an expired permesso di soggiorno?
Office document lists, for example the one from the Pistoia Motorizzazione office, accept a copy of the renewal request in place of the expired permit. The list should be confirmed with the local office.
Who can request audio support in the exam?
Candidates with a DSA certificate are entitled to it without further formalities. A 2015 notice from the Naples Motorizzazione office also lists foreign citizens and people without a licenza media, with a stamped request filed with the application.
How long can a non-EU licence be used for driving in Italy?
Up to one year from taking up residence in Italy (Codice della Strada, art. 135). The conditions for the foreign document to be valid should be checked on the MIT website. After that, a conversion is needed where a reciprocity agreement exists, or an Italian licence.
Is the test easier in French or German?
Content and rules are the same: 30 statements, 20 minutes, at most 3 mistakes. Only the language of the text changes.
Documents and procedures depend on the office: see the legal notes.
Sources: Portale dell'Automobilista, "Foglio rosa e prove d'esame": theory test format, audio support for DSA candidates, foglio rosa validity and three practical attempts. , Motorizzazione office of Naples, notice no. 04/2015 of 3 November 2015: audio support on a request filed with the licence application. , Motorizzazione office of Pistoia, instructions for private candidates (an example of one provincial office's document list): form TT2112, PagoPA N067, medical certificate, permesso di soggiorno. , Italian Senate, bill S.1543, communicated to the Presidency on 18 June 2025. , MIT, foreign licence conversion: only for countries with reciprocity agreements with Italy. , Portale dell'Automobilista, fee schedule (undated document): N067 theory 42.40 euro, N019 practical 16.00 euro. . The removal of translations from 2011 and the nationwide availability of French and German are reported by secondary sources citing the ministerial circulars of 21 December 2010 and 19 September 2019; the status of bill S.1543 rests on the public Senate records found on 15 September 2026. Normal residence and driving on a non-EU licence: Codice della Strada, arts. 118-bis and 135 (ACI text).