Digital driving licence on your phone: where it is valid and how to show it

The digital driving licence available in Documenti on IO can be shown in Italy during in-person police checks in the circumstances provided for. It can be added using SPID or CIE if you hold a valid physical driving licence; it does not replace the document for every purpose or for travel abroad.

Add your driving licence in the IO app

Open IO, sign in with SPID or CIE, and go to the Portafoglio or Documenti section. You can add a digital version of your driving licence if you already hold a valid physical card. Follow the official instructions and check the details shown before relying on your phone while travelling.

The digital version is not a photo of the card: it is a verifiable credential issued through public infrastructure. If your driving licence does not appear among the available documents, first check that the physical document is valid and that the app is up to date; then contact IO support. Do not send your password or SPID codes to anyone who offers to activate it for you.

Where and when you can show it

IO’s official guidance says the digital driving licence can be used instead of the physical document for in-person checks in Italy, particularly to show the police that you are authorised to drive. This does not mean it is accepted for every purpose: do not assume it will suffice for car hire, border crossings, identification or procedures outside the stated context.

If the app says there is no connection, documents already added may still be available offline, but the validity shown reflects the last time you were online. Refresh the app as soon as possible to update the status. For travel abroad, carry the physical card and check the destination country’s requirements: IO describes the licence as usable within Italy.

Have a back-up ready too

Keep the physical card legible and check its expiry date: the digital version depends on a valid physical document and does not renew your licence. If you change phones or lose access to IO, follow the official instructions to restore your account before setting off.

During a check, open the credential directly in IO and follow the officer’s instructions for showing it. Avoid sharing screenshots or printouts: they are not the same verifiable credential and may expose personal data. If your phone is flat or unavailable, the physical card remains a practical way to show your document.

To revise driving-licence rules, Quiz Patente Ufficiale offers topic-based study, exam quizzes and a review of your mistakes; the digital credential does not contain lessons or quizzes.