Can you use a motorway with a learner’s permit?

With an Italian category B learner’s permit, you may practise on permitted roads, including motorways and main extra-urban roads, if you follow Article 122 and its rules for the accompanying driver and vehicle. Required training must also be certified before the practical test.

A learner’s permit does not allow solo driving

An Italian learner’s permit allows practice after the theory test, but it is not a full licence. The learner must be accompanied by a person who meets Article 122 requirements. These include being no older than 65 and holding a valid licence for the same category for at least ten years, or a licence for a higher category.

The vehicle must be suitable for practice, and the “P” sign must be displayed where required. Practice must not create danger or obstruct traffic. On a motorway, all access, speed, following-distance, and lane-use rules still apply.

Required hours for a category B licence

For a standard category B licence, the Ministry of Transport requires an attendance certificate for a course of at least six hours of mandatory driving practice at a driving school with an authorised instructor. The programme includes practice on extra-urban roads and motorways or main extra-urban roads, as well as other road situations and night-time conditions.

These hours are a documented requirement for booking the practical test; they are not permission to practise without supervision. Check the current rules and ask the driving school that will issue the certificate about the applicable process and any exemptions.

Before joining the motorway

Check that your accompanying driver has their licence with them, that the vehicle meets the conditions, and that you have enough experience to handle joining traffic, spacing, and speed. Practice should remain under the supervision of the accompanying driver or instructor; do not stop outside permitted areas.

Motorway driving is one of the practical situations covered by the training requirement, but you should not attempt an unsupervised entry. Plan the lesson with your instructor and follow the learner-permit and road rules for the chosen route.

Quiz Patente Ufficiale can help you review theory and exam quizzes.