This chapter covers what each driving licence category (patente) actually entitles you to drive, how licences can be confirmed, revised, suspended or revoked, how the points system works, and which documents and behaviours are required when stopped by traffic police.

Licence categories build on each other. Category AM covers light quadricycles and two-wheeled mopeds (ciclomotori a due ruote). Category A1 adds motorcycles (motocicli, with or without sidecar/carrozzetta) up to 125 cc, 11 kW and a power-to-weight ratio of no more than 0.1 kW/kg, plus motor tricycles up to 15 kW. Category A2 raises the limit to 35 kW and 0.2 kW/kg (as long as the bike isn't derived from a model with more than double that power), and A2 automatically covers everything allowed under A1 and AM. Category A is unrestricted: all motorcycles, plus all motor tricycles once the driver is at least 21.

On the car side, B1 can be obtained at 16 and covers certain non-light quadricycles. Category B is the standard car licence: vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes carrying no more than eight passengers besides the driver, including towing a light trailer (up to 750 kg). A B with harmonised code 96 extends this to towing a heavier trailer (over 750 kg) provided the combined weight of car plus trailer stays under 4,250 kg; this code can be added after getting a plain B licence by passing a specific driving test. Category BE is needed for heavier combinations — for example a car towing a 2,000 kg trailer where the total combined weight reaches 4,500 kg.

A licence stays valid (confermata) as long as the holder still meets the required physical and mental fitness standards, confirmed through a medical check by an authorised doctor. If your licence carries harmonised code "01", you must wear glasses or contact lenses (occhiali da vista / lenti a contatto) while driving. Several administrative actions can affect a licence:

Immediate withdrawal (ritiro) happens roadside for offences carrying suspension as an accessory penalty, or if the licence has expired.
Review (revisione) can be ordered by the Motor Vehicle Office or the Prefect when doubts arise about fitness to drive.
Suspension (sospensione) is an accessory sanction, for example when a newly licensed driver (neopatentato) ignores the special vehicle or speed limits that apply to them.
Revocation (revoca) is more serious, applying when someone drives despite a suspended licence, or reverses direction/drives against traffic on a motorway.

Every licence starts with 20 points, lost for specific infractions — for instance exceeding the speed limit by more than 10 km/h, or breaking overtaking rules. To circulate, a vehicle needs number plates (targhe) linking it to its owner and a registration document (carta di circolazione); driving without the correct licence or an unregistered vehicle is generally forbidden. When police ask, you must show both the registration document and your licence. Traffic police (agenti di polizia stradale) are identified by uniform and the white-and-red signalling paddle (paletta); you must obey illuminated warning messages on police vehicles, including stopping if a car overtakes with siren on and displays "ACCOSTARE".

⚠️ Watch out

AM does not cover three-wheeled mopeds — those need A1, not just any two-wheel moped rule.
A1 does not require already holding an AM licence first.
A2 requires being at least 18, not 20.
Category A has no post-licence power restriction for two years — that limitation does not exist.
B1 is about quadricycles, not 125 cc motorcycles — that description belongs to A1, not B1.
Category B does not also authorise A2 or A motorcycle categories.