Failed the theory exam: what to do
A failed patente B theory test can be retaken only once on the same application, after at least one month and within six months of filing it. If the second attempt also fails, or the six months run out, a new application is needed with a new N067 payment of 42.40 euro (Codice della Strada, arts. 121 and 122).
What does the law say after a failed theory test?
Three rules apply across Italy. Article 122, paragraph 1, of the Codice della Strada gives six months from the application to pass the theory test, with at most two tests. Article 121, paragraph 10, requires at least one month between a failed test and the next one. Once either limit is used up, the application is no longer valid.
| Rule | Value | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Theory tests per application | 2 | art. 122, paragraph 1 |
| Application validity | 6 months | art. 122, paragraph 1 |
| Minimum wait between tests | 1 month | art. 121, paragraph 10 |
| Test format | 30 statements, 20 minutes | Portale dell'Automobilista |
| Mistakes allowed | 3 at most | Portale dell'Automobilista |
| Payment for a new application (N067) | 42.40 euro | Portal fee schedule |
Work out the dates
Assumptions: one month and six months are counted as calendar months; if the day does not exist in the target month (for example the 31st) the last day of that month is used. The real date depends on the office's exam sessions, so always check with the office.
Your recovery plan
No data on this device yet
The plan is built from the answers you give on this site. The quickest start is one full mock exam: 30 statements, 20 minutes. This page then shows your weak topics and a day-by-day plan.
Weakest topics (recent answers)
Saved mistakes
Day by day until the retake
How is the date of the second attempt worked out?
Two dates matter: the application date and the date of the failed test. The earliest possible retake is one month after the fail. The latest is six months after the application. If the earliest date falls after the latest, no second attempt is possible on that application.
The actual date depends on the exam sessions of the provincial office, which publishes no average waiting times. Candidates with a driving school ask the school to book; private candidates ask the Motorizzazione office. Booking straight after the fail, without waiting for the month to pass, avoids losing time.
What happens if...? Three worked cases
A candidate in Palermo files her application on 10 February and fails the theory test on 20 March. She can sit it again from 20 April, provided the test takes place by 10 August. If the only session available is on 12 August, the application has already expired and she must start again with a new one.
A candidate in Turin applies in January and fails twice, in March and in May. The second test was the last one allowed: even though six months have not passed, he must file a new application, with a new form TT2112 and a new N067 payment of 42.40 euro.
A student in Bari fails her first test at the end of May and tries to book for mid June. The office refuses, because a month has not passed between the two tests. The first valid date is at the end of June, still within six months of the application.
What if the fail is in the driving test instead?
The rules change. After theory comes the foglio rosa, valid for 12 months and for up to three practical tests, according to the Portale dell'Automobilista. At least one month must also pass between two failed driving tests (art. 121, paragraph 10). After the third fail, or when the 12 months end, the foglio rosa allows no further tests. More on the page about failing the practical test.
What is the theory "riporto"?
Several trade websites describe a procedure called riporto, said to let a passed theory test carry over to a new application after the foglio rosa expires. This page does not give its conditions or deadlines because they were not found in an official source: anyone in that situation should ask the local Motorizzazione office before the foglio rosa expires.
Where can the mistakes from the exam be seen?
The Portale dell'Automobilista lets you request the sheet from your own theory test (scheda esame), starting from the day after the exam. The service needs a portal account: the sheet is sent as a PDF to the email address given at registration and can be downloaded for seven days from the date it is processed. Check that the email on the profile is correct before making the request.
Rereading the statements you got wrong shows whether a mistake came from a rule you did not know or from a word you misread. These are two different problems with two different fixes.
How should revision work after a fail?
- Sort the mistakes on the sheet: unknown rule, trap word (sempre, solo, mai, può, deve), haste or distraction.
- Study rule mistakes by topic, starting from the topic with the most wrong answers. The plan above suggests the weakest topics from the history saved in the browser.
- Reread the trap-word glossary for reading mistakes.
- Take full mock exams of 30 statements in 20 minutes, not only topic quizzes, to get used to the time limit.
- Sit the test with a margin: several mocks in a row with 3 mistakes or fewer, not a single good one.
What are the most common mistakes after a fail?
- Trying to book before the month has passed: the test is not scheduled.
- Forgetting the six-month deadline and finding out late that the application has expired.
- Not downloading the sheet within seven days of processing and losing the detail of the mistakes.
- Repeating only familiar quizzes, memorising answers instead of understanding the rule.
- Ignoring trap words: one misread sempre costs a mistake just like an unknown rule.
Frequently asked questions
How soon can the Italian theory test be retaken?
At least one month must pass between a failed test and the next one (Codice della Strada, art. 121 paragraph 10). The second attempt must also fall within six months of filing the application.
How many times can the theory test be failed?
One application allows two theory tests (art. 122 paragraph 1). After two failed tests the application can no longer be used and a new one is needed.
What happens after failing the theory test twice?
A new licence application is needed, with a new N067 payment of 42.40 euro. Which documents must be filed again, including the medical certificate, should be confirmed with the local Motorizzazione office or the driving school.
Is there a fee for the second attempt?
No, as long as the second attempt belongs to the same application: the N067 fee covers the application. A new payment is only due with a new application.
Where can the mistakes from the exam be seen?
On the Portale dell'Automobilista, through the Scheda esame patente service. The request can be made from the day after the test, and the PDF can be downloaded for seven days from the date it is processed.
How many mistakes are allowed in the patente B theory test?
At most 3 mistakes out of 30 statements, in 20 minutes. With 4 mistakes the test is failed.
Fees and procedure can change: see the legal notes.
Sources: Codice della Strada, art. 122 (ACI text): theory within six months of the application, two attempts, accompanying driver requirements, authorisation valid for twelve months. , Codice della Strada, art. 121 (ACI text): paragraphs 8, 9 and 10, one month before the practical test, dual controls, one month between a failed test and the next. , Portale dell'Automobilista, "Foglio rosa e prove d'esame": theory test format, audio support for DSA candidates, foglio rosa validity and three practical attempts. , Portale dell'Automobilista, "Scheda esame patente" service. , Portale dell'Automobilista, fee schedule (undated document): N067 theory 42.40 euro, N019 practical 16.00 euro. .