Travel
Can a newly licensed driver carry passengers on a motorway?
Yes. Italian law has no general passenger ban based only on a recent licence; speed, vehicle, restraint, and specific conditions still apply.
Yes. Article 117 of Italy’s Highway Code does not impose a general ban on carrying passengers simply because a driver is newly licensed. The driver must still follow personal speed and vehicle-power limits, seat-belt rules, and any restriction that applies to a specific situation or vehicle.
A recent licence does not itself ban passengers
Article 117 sets speed and vehicle-power limits for holders of certain licences. It does not create a general motorway rule that newly licensed drivers may not carry passengers. A newly licensed driver may therefore travel with other people, subject to the ordinary rules and any specific restriction that applies.
Do not confuse a newly licensed driver with a learner practising on a provisional permit: Article 122 sets separate conditions for practice, including the accompanying driver. Likewise, restrictions tied to age, a legal measure, or a vehicle category need to be checked on their own basis rather than attributed to the driver’s recent licence.
Check the limits that actually apply
For the first three years after obtaining an A2, A, B1, or B licence, Article 117 sets special speed limits: no more than 100 km/h on motorways and 90 km/h on main extra-urban roads, subject to lower signs. Category B also has vehicle-power limits whose duration and conditions depend on the date the licence was obtained and the current rule.
Every passenger must use the restraint system required for their seat and vehicle. Children need an approved restraint suited to their height and circumstances, and rear-seat passengers must wear their belts. These safety requirements apply whether or not the driver has held a licence for a long time.
A practical example
A newly licensed category B driver may carry friends on an Italian motorway, but must stay within the personal speed limit and use a car they are allowed to drive. Everyone must wear a seat belt; a child must use the correct restraint system.
Before the trip, check the licence category and issue date, the car’s characteristics, and the signs on the route. If the driver has a provisional permit, a suspended licence, or a restriction recorded on the licence, follow that specific rule. The label “new driver” does not describe every possible condition.
To review Italian road rules and passenger-safety questions, Quiz Patente Ufficiale offers theory chapters, exam quizzes, and error review.
Frequently asked questions
Can a newly licensed driver carry an adult passenger?
Yes. There is no general ban based only on having a recent licence. Personal driving limits and passenger-safety rules still apply.
Can a learner with a provisional permit carry a passenger?
That is a different situation. During practice, the accompanying driver required by Article 122 must be present, and its other conditions must be met.