Travel
How to apply for an international driving permit
An international driving permit accompanies your Italian licence and may be needed outside the EU. Check which format your destination requires before you travel.
To obtain an international driving permit, apply to the Civil Motorisation Office with a valid Italian driving licence, photographs and the required payments. There are formats linked to different conventions: check which one your destination accepts and whether it also requires a translation.
Check the destination’s requirements
Before buying your tickets, check the Viaggiare Sicuri website and ask the destination country’s authority whether your Italian licence is sufficient or an international permit is needed. Some destinations accept a national licence; others require a particular format or a translation. A rental company may impose additional conditions, but these do not replace local law.
MIT notes that an international permit is a supplementary document and must be used with a valid Italian licence. There are two formats associated with different international conventions, with different validity periods. Do not choose based only on how long it lasts: ask the consulate or destination authorities which convention they recognise.
Apply through the Motorizzazione
The MIT procedure lists the Civil Motorisation Office, form TT746, a front-and-back photocopy of your valid licence, two identical passport-size photographs (one authenticated), and the required PagoPA payments and revenue stamp. Fees and requirements can change, so check the official page when you apply.
Applications can be submitted through the UMC channels, following the methods described on the Portale dell’Automobilista. If someone is applying on your behalf, check which documents they must bring. Allow time for an appointment and processing: do not leave it until the day before departure or buy from an intermediary that does not clearly state the format, validity and delivery arrangements.
Use it with your Italian licence
When you receive the permit, check the name, dates and format shown. Always carry your original national licence too: the international permit does not authorise you to drive on its own. If your Italian licence expires, is suspended or does not cover the vehicle category, the supplementary document will not solve the problem.
Before setting off, also check insurance, vehicle documents, the rental company’s age requirements and any translation requirements. Entry and driving rules can differ; the permit is not a universal licence valid everywhere. If your itinerary changes, check every country you will cross, not only the country where you collect the car.
Before setting off, you can revise road signs and rules with Quiz Patente Ufficiale chapter study, exam-style quizzes and a review of mistakes.
Frequently asked questions
Does an international driving permit replace my Italian licence?
No. It is a supplementary document that accompanies a valid Italian licence. Carry both documents and check that your category covers the vehicle.
Which format should I apply for?
It depends on the conventions recognised by the destination country. Check with its consulate or local authorities before applying to the Motorizzazione.