BOLOGNA INSIDE Second Edition - IWF Bologna

parking lots connected to public transportation, as well as a host of other smaller ones
adjacent to the central pedestrian zones. These are indicated by a blue sign with a white P.
The most centrally located large parking lot is under Piazza VIII Agosto. For a list of
parking lots, see: www.comune.bologna.it/bolognaturismo/trasporti.
DRIVER’S LICENSE
Non-residents in Italy can drive legally with their foreign license or an international
driver’s license. However, within one year of becoming a resident you must acquire an
Italian patente (driver’s license). EU citizens can convert their valid national license to an
Italian one without taking the exams. This can be accomplished through ACI but requires
some paperwork and can take up to six months.
Italian driver’s licenses, which you must have with you while driving, are available to all
residents over 18 and are valid for 10 years. A point system regulates your driving status.
Each driver starts with 20 points on his or her record. Points are knocked off, depending
on the seriousness of the offense, when a driver receives a violation. If you lose all 20
points, your license is revoked and you are required to go back to driving school.
OBTAINING A LICENSE
For those from non-EU countries, the process of getting a patente varies depending on
whether there is a mutual recognition agreement in place between your country and the
Italian Department of Motor Vehicles. Those from non-EU countries should confirm the
details of this arrangement with their embassy, ACI or the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Many non-EU licenses can be converted to Italian ones without taking the tests. Others,
including those from the United States and Canada, must take a two-part exam to obtain
a license. It should be noted that driving without an Italian license after one year of
residency is illegal, because your Italian insurance policy will not cover you if you have an
accident. The process of getting a license usually takes at least a few months.
There are several steps involved in obtaining the patente. First you must apply for the
foglio rosa (learner’s permit). If you do not have a valid license, this permit gives you the
right to drive when accompanied by a licensed driver over 25 and is valid for six months.
You must take a state-sanctioned eye exam before you can apply. After you have your
foglio rosa, you must wait one month and a day before taking the thirty question
true/false written exam, now available in multiple languages. Within three months of
Oh my gosh, I tried to think of any possible
way to avoid having to take my Italian
driving exam. I dreaded this test so much,
especially the idea of having to take it in
Italian after only residing here for one
year…but there was no way out of it. So, I
finally signed up for the ACI classes which
my husband recommended to me “to help
make the process much easier” (which it
did, by the way). After a few months of blood
(okay, there was no real bleeding involved),
sweat and a few tears, I actually passed the
exam and proudly held a brand new pink
italian patente in my hand. I tell you, I felt
like I had earned a university degree.
Kristin Post
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