Brexit has caused more problems than anyone will ever be able to count, one of the greatest and most obvious inconveniences was that Brits who had recently moved to the EU lost their ability to swap their driving license for local ones.
This is a real problem that you are only aware of when you find out that your UK no claims bonus and decades of driving experience amount to nothing, this is to be ignored and you shall drive what is basically a toy car for teenagers for a year before being allowed to buy any sort of car with a real engine.
Many seem to have missed the news that this is no longer the case, in fact since March of this year 2023 the UK Government website updated to show the following:
“From 30 March 2023, you will be able to exchange your UK licence for an Italian one without needing to take a test. This follows the Agreement that the UK and Italian governments signed on 23 December 2022 about exchanging driving licences.”
Who Can Exchange Their License?
If you became resident in Italy on or before 31 December 2020 you can exchange your UK licence at any time.
If you became resident in Italy on or after 1 January 2021 you can only present your UK licence for exchange within 6 years of becoming resident.
How Do I Exchange My License?
To exchange your licence, you must book an appointment with your local ‘Ufficio della Motorizzazione Civile’ (Motorisation Office, webpage in Italian).
When you attend the appointment, make sure you bring the required foreign licence exchange documentation (in Italian), view the section ‘Richiesta conversione patente non comunitaria’. Contact your local Ufficio della Motorizzazione Civile for further enquiries about your exchange.
How Long Can I use My UK license?
For those that were resident in Italy before January 1st 2023 you can use your valid UK licence until 31 December 2023. Article 2(2)(b) of the Milleproroghe Decree (in Italian) and its amendment Annex (in Italian) extend recognition of valid UK driving licences in Italy.
For those that arrived on 1st January 2023 or later, you have 1 year to exchange your license.
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