What happens on the day of the Italian theory test

How does the day unfold, stage by stage?

What time should candidates arrive on test day?

At the call time set by the office, which does not always match the slot chosen when booking. One documented example is the Bologna Motorizzazione: the online booking time is described as purely indicative, and a candidate with the 14.00 to 14.50 slot must be in the room at 13.45. Everyone in the session has to be identified before the start, so a late arrival risks not being admitted and having to find another session within the six months of the application.

If a candidate in Padua misses the session by arriving late and the next available date falls after the six months from the application, he can no longer sit theory on that application (article 122, paragraph 1, of the Codice della Strada): a new application is needed, with 26.40 euro in fees and 16.00 euro in stamp duty on the N067 tariff, as the MIT page on obtaining the category B licence states.

What should candidates bring to the theory test?

• A valid identity document. This requirement has no exceptions.
• The application as registered at the counter, where the office asks for it: the Friuli Venezia Giulia Motorizzazione says so explicitly.
• A residence permit for non EU citizens, already required when applying.
• Glasses or contact lenses, if the medical certificate requires them for driving.

Driving school candidates get the exact list from the school. Independent candidates should reread their Motorizzazione's notice the day before.

How are candidates identified?

The examiner compares the identity document with the application on file. If the details do not match, or the document has expired, the test cannot start for that candidate. It is worth checking the identity card's expiry date when applying: a six month window can overlap with a renewal.

How does the test work on the terminal?

The test is computer based. Each candidate has a workstation and sees statements to mark true or false on screen, with the remaining time shown. The sheet has 30 questions drawn from the ministerial list; there are no partial marks and every answer is right or wrong. Four mistakes mean a fail. Notes, phones and other devices may not be consulted: staff explain where to leave them. Candidates with a certified specific learning disorder (DSA) can have extra time and audio support, as the Portale dell'Automobilista states.

How long does test day take in total?

The test itself lasts 20 minutes. Time at the office is longer, because it includes waiting, identifying the whole session and instructions. There is no official length for the day: it depends on the number of candidates and how the office is organised. Anyone due at work or school straight after should leave a margin.

When is the theory test result known?

Immediately. Marking is automatic when the sheet closes. From the next day the exam sheet can be requested on the Portale dell'Automobilista with SPID: the PDF is sent to the registered email and can be downloaded for seven days. A pass starts the issue of the foglio rosa. A fail leaves the second attempt, no sooner than one month and within the six months of the application.

What happens if a candidate is late, forgets the document or fails?

A candidate in Bologna has the 15.00 slot and arrives at 15.10. The office instructions asked her to be in the room at 14.45. If the session has started, she risks not sitting the test that day and having to book another session, with less time left in the six months set by article 122, paragraph 1, of the Codice della Strada.

A young man in Genoa finds out in the room that his identity card has expired. Without a valid document he cannot be identified, so he does not sit the test. He must renew the document and book again.

If a candidate in Trieste finishes with 2 mistakes, he passes. According to the Friuli Venezia Giulia Motorizzazione he can collect the foglio rosa at the counter after about 3 working days, and its twelve months of validity start from then, with the practical test no earlier than one month after issue (article 121, paragraph 8, of the Codice della Strada).

If a candidate in Catania makes 5 mistakes, her second attempt cannot come less than one month later (article 121, paragraph 10, of the Codice della Strada) and must fall within the six months from the application; if that also fails, a new application is needed (article 122, paragraph 1). The next day she requests the exam sheet on the Portale dell'Automobilista, sees that 3 mistakes concern right of way and revises that chapter meanwhile.

What are the most common mistakes on test day?

• Treating the booking time as the arrival time.
• Not checking the identity document's expiry date.
• Getting stuck on a hard question and using up time for the rest.
• Not requesting the exam sheet after a fail, and losing the record of mistakes after seven days.

How can candidates prepare for the day?

By reproducing real conditions: 30 questions, 20 minutes, no help. The practice test uses the same format and mistake limit. The format is explained in the guide on how the theory test works, and the practical test in the checklist before the driving test.

What are the most common questions about test day?

Data as of 2026-09-07. Source: article 121 of the Codice della Strada, Portale dell'Automobilista, instructions from the Bologna Motorizzazione and the Friuli Venezia Giulia Motorizzazione.