Frequently Asked Question #23:

Q: Can I buy a car in Italy, and drive it with a foreign licence?

A: To buy a car in Italy, you must first have a permit to stay (a permesso di soggiorno or, for EU citizens, a carta di soggiorno) and make a residence declaration.

Obtaining a permesso (or carta) di soggiorno is an art in itself, and beyond the scope of this FAQ. If you want more information on this, there are various sources on the web - for example, http://expatsinitaly.com/node/147.

The residence declaration is a much simpler process. Note that it is no longer necessary to go to your local comune to obtain a certificato di residenza - you can now self-certify your residency using the new autocertificazione system. To self-certify your residency in Italy, go to http://www.moduli.it/item.php/231 and follow the instructions there - you can print the certificate yourself, and it is valid as soon as you have signed it. Note, however, that it is valid only when accompanied by a permesso or carta di soggiorno. Note also that you have to put a date on the certificate, which is then valid for only 6 months: in practice this isn't a problem, because when it expires you can easily produce another one.

Armed with these 2 pieces of paper, you are nearly ready to buy your car. The final hurdle is the matter of car insurance - assicurazione auto in Italian. The dealer who sells you the car will doubtless be happy to help you, but it's worth shopping around to get a few quotes. If you have a 'No Claims Bonus' from a foreign insurer, make sure you have an official document that states clearly how many years you have been driving without a claim. Before you sign a contract for Italian car insurance, make sure that this bonus is taken into account - every insurer can do this, although a few may insist on a certified translation of your 'no claims' document.

Driving Licences

The situation with driving licences is, at least for EU citizens, rather more straightforward.

The first point to note is that all drivers must, by law, always carry their driving licence with them in their vehicle.

EU citizens who have a new EU-style licence are allowed to keep it and use it in Italy. Indeed, they are advised to do so, because in Italy the over 50's have to renew an Italian licence every 5 years, and the over 70's have to renew it every 3 years. This represents a bureaucratic hurdle that most non-Italian EU citizens will want to avoid.

EU citizens with an old-style (pre-EU) licence should convert it to an Italian licence within one year of becoming resident in Italy. To avoid the bureaucratic hassles involved in doing this, most people in this situation will probably find it easier to convert their old-style licence to a new EU-style licence in their country of origin - thus neatly side-stepping the problem.

Unfortunately, if you are a non-EU citizen wanting an Italian driving licence, you don't have the same options - and you can't simply exchange your foreign license for an Italian one. To obtain an Italian licence, you must take a driving test in Italy - a rather daunting prospect for many. A rather easier option, at least in the short term, is to apply for an International Driving Permit within the country which issued your national one, and use it it in Europe together with your national licence. An International Driving Permit - often incorrectly called an 'International Drivers Licence' - includes several official translations of your national license, and is valid in most countries, including Italy. Remember that the International Driving Permit is only valid as long your national license is valid, and that the two documents must always be presented together. Depending on the country in which it originates, International Driving Permits may be issued for either one or three years.

US citizens can apply for a one-year International Driving Permit by post, using a photocopy of their national licence - see the AAA website for details.

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