Four ways getting your driving license in Italy is more difficult than in the US

If you're an American moving to Italy and want to continue driving here, you'll eventually have to retake your driver's test. These are a few of the main differences between the two countries you should be aware of.

If you’re moving to Italy from the United States, you will need to resit your driving test in order to get a valid driving license here.

You will only be allowed to drive in Italy on your valid, non-expired US license for 12 months. The one-year grace period begins when you apply for residency in Italy.

During this time, you're allowed to drive in Italy on your US driver's license as long as it's accompanied by an international driver's license or a certified Italian translation of your license.

This policy is more flexible than some other European countries, such as in Spain, where you're only allowed six months to drive on your US license.

After the 12 months lapse, you'll have to have an Italian license to continue driving in Italy.

The need to retake the Italian version of the driver's license is due to Italy not having a driving license exchange agreement with the US.

Twenty-six non-EU countries have driving license exchange agreements with Italy, but the US, Canada and Australia are not among them.

For Americans moving to Italy, this means you have to retake both your theory and practical driving license exams in Italy if you want to continue driving after one year.

Before you do, there are several differences between getting your license in Italy versus in the US that you should know about.

You'll probably need to learn stick shift

In Italy, you’re best off learning to drive a manual car if you don't already know how.

While manual cars are uncommon in the US, in Italy, you’ll find that the majority of vehicles have a manual transmission, including at driving schools.

While it is possible to take your exam using an automatic, you will only be licensed to drive cars with automatic transmissions – your license will be marked with a '78' to indicate this restriction.

While it can be an annoying extra hurdle, learning to drive a stick can pay off when renting or buying a car. In Italy, like much of Europe, it's generally more affordable to rent or buy a manual.

The test is a lot more technical

The theory exam (esame di teoria) is largely considered the most difficult part of getting your Italian license.

You have to first pass this test in order to progress to the practical driving test. It requires quite a bit of technical knowledge and cannot be taken in English.

While the practical driving test isn't as arduous as the written exam, it’s still considered more straightforward to pass in the US than it is in Italy.

In addition to the normal stuff – stopping, reversing, changing lanes, etc. – Italy tests you on mechanical knowledge and may even ask you to identify parts of the engine.

It's more expensive

The fee for a driver's license in the US varies by state, but is anywhere from $4 (Iowa) to $89 (Washington). Most states' fees are around the €25 mark.

In Italy, taking the driving exams (theory and practical) costs €58.40 on its own. But then there are a number of small costs that add up, including getting a medical fitness certificate and eye test, passport photos and a marca da bollo stamp, all of which amount to about €100.

The big difference in cost comes in when you factor in driving lessons.

Learners can choose to handle the process themselves by applying directly through their local Civil Motorisation Office (Ufficio di Motorizazzione Civile), which costs around €350 (including lessons), bringing the total to around €500.

Alternatively, you can have a driving school (scuola guida) handle everything on your behalf, with costs ranging from €780 to €950 depending on where you are in the country.

You have to take driving lessons

After you've passed the written theory exam, you can apply for a learner's permit (foglio rosa), which is valid for 12 months and allows you to take driving lessons.

There are no exceptions to this rule – even if you're 65 and have been driving in the US for nearly 50 years, you still have to take the lessons alongside Italian teenagers.

You must take eight hours of lessons with a professional driving instructor – including two hours of night-time driving, two hours on extra-urban roads, and two hours on motorways – before you can sit your practical exam.

This was recently upped from six hours.

Most people in the US learn to drive as teens from their parents, other older relatives or friends. It's becoming more common for states to require young new drivers to do some form of driver's ed, whether an online course or in-person lessons, but only Maryland requires adults to do driving lessons if it's their first time getting a license.