Italian accompanied driving at 17: how it works
Data updated on 2026-09-16. Source: CdS art. 115 on Normattiva
Accompanied driving (guida accompagnata) lets a 17-year-old holding an A1 or B1 licence drive a car of up to 3.5 tonnes beside a named accompanist who has held a B licence for at least ten years. Ten driving-school hours and a Motorizzazione authorisation come first. Source: Codice della Strada, article 115 paragraphs 1-bis to 1-septies.
How is the authorisation obtained?
The procedure has two steps at the Motorizzazione, with the driving-school course in between. It is governed by article 115 of the Codice della Strada and by Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport decree no. 213 of 11 November 2011, in force from 21 April 2012.
- Minor's requirements: aged 17 and holding a valid A1 or B1 licence with no measures preventing driving.
- Application: a parent or legal guardian files it at a Motorizzazione office on the form set by the decree, also signed by the minor. It includes payments for stamp duty and fees, and a sworn statement of parental or guardian status with a copy of an identity document.
- Receipt: the office checks the minor's licence and issues a receipt that allows enrolment on the driving-school course.
- Course: at least ten actual hours of driving, including at least four on motorways or extra-urban roads and two in night-time visibility. Lessons are one-to-one, last no more than two hours a day and use a dual-control vehicle.
- Certificate: at the end the driving school issues an attendance certificate with the original lesson logbook.
- Authorisation: once the certificate and the list of accompanists are submitted, the Motorizzazione issues the authorisation, listing up to three accompanists.
Who can be the accompanist?
The Codice requires a B or higher licence held for at least ten years. Decree 213/2011 adds an age limit and a conduct requirement. The Motorizzazione lists on the authorisation only accompanists who meet them.
| Requirement | Value |
|---|---|
| Licence | B or higher, not special, currently valid |
| Years holding the licence | at least 10 |
| Maximum age | 60 |
| Licence suspensions for Highway Code violations | none in the last 5 years |
| Foreign licence | EU or EEA, recognised for at least 5 years |
| Accompanists that can be named | up to 3 |
If the accompanist's licence is suspended or revoked during the accompanied driving period, that person can no longer accompany the minor. Accompanists can be replaced or added by requesting a duplicate authorisation. A driving-school instructor may also accompany the minor, but in the school's vehicle.
Which cars can be used, and under which rules?
| Rule | Content |
|---|---|
| Maximum laden mass | up to 3.5 t, no trailer |
| Specific power per tonne of tare | within the art. 117 paragraph 2-bis limit (75 kW/t) |
| Sign | GA, black letters on retroreflective yellow, front and rear |
| People on board | only the minor and the accompanist |
| Top speed | 100 km/h on motorways, 90 km/h on strade extraurbane principali |
| Documents | the minor must carry authorisation and licence; the accompanist carries their licence |
Paragraph 1-bis refers expressly only to the specific power limit per tonne of tare. The law does not state whether the 105 kW limit applies to accompanied driving: ask the Motorizzazione in case of doubt.
How long does the authorisation last, and what happens at 18?
The authorisation expires on the 18th birthday. If the minor's A1 or B1 licence expires earlier, the authorisation expires on that date too and is renewed together with the licence, never beyond age 18.
At 18 accompanied driving does not replace the B licence: the normal route applies, with an application, theory exam, foglio rosa and practical exam. The benefit is set by article 9 of the decree: if the B licence application is filed within six months of turning 18, the course hours from parts C, D and E of the accompanied driving programme count toward the compulsory driving-school lessons of article 122 paragraph 5-bis. The benefit is lost if the authorisation was revoked.
Can you get a B licence at 17 in Italy?
No, not in Italy today. Article 115 paragraph 1 of the Codice della Strada sets 18 as the minimum age for vehicles of the B licence. At 17 the Codice only allows accompanied driving, as practice, with an authorisation that expires on the 18th birthday.
A new EU directive on driving licences provides for an accompanied driving scheme with a B licence obtained at 17. It does not apply in Italy yet: a directive binds the country only once it is transposed by a national law or decree, and on the date this page was updated the Codice della Strada in force contains no such option. News about a "licence at 17" therefore concerns future rules, not rules in force.
| Age | What is allowed |
|---|---|
| 14 | vehicles of the AM licence, no passengers |
| 16 | vehicles of the AM, A1 and B1 licences |
| 17 | accompanied car driving, with an A1 or B1 licence and authorisation |
| 18 | vehicles of the A2, B, BE, C1 and C1E licences |
Which penalties apply?
| Violation | Rule | Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| Driving without the accompanist named on the authorisation | art. 115 par. 1-septies, art. 122 par. 8 | 430 to 1,731 euro, vehicle impounded for 3 months |
| Other people on board or GA sign missing | art. 115 par. 1-quater, art. 122 par. 9 | 87 to 344 euro |
| Above 100 km/h on a motorway or 90 km/h on a strada extraurbana principale | art. 115 par. 1-quinquies, art. 117 par. 5 | 165 to 660 euro |
| Violation carrying licence suspension (art. 218) or revocation (art. 219) | art. 115 par. 1-sexies | authorisation revoked, cannot be requested again |
The accompanist is jointly liable for fines with the minor's parent or guardian (paragraph 1-quinquies). The authorisation is also revoked if the minor's A1 or B1 licence is suspended or revoked, and in that case it cannot be obtained again (DM 213/2011, art. 5).
If a 17-year-old from Pescara on accompanied driving travels at 115 km/h on a motorway, she exceeds the 100 km/h limit and faces 165 to 660 euro (article 115, paragraph 1-quinquies, which refers to article 117, paragraphs 2 and 5, of the Codice della Strada).
What happens if...?
- If a 17-year-old from Verona with an A1 licence drives the family car with her father beside her and her sister in the back, she faces a fine of 87 to 344 euro, because a third person on board breaks paragraph 1-quater of article 115 of the Codice della Strada, penalised under article 122, paragraph 9.
- A teenager from Cagliari names his 63-year-old grandmother, licensed for forty years, as accompanist. The Motorizzazione leaves her off the authorisation, because the decree caps the age at 60. His 45-year-old mother, licensed for twenty-four years, qualifies.
- If a 17-year-old from Naples takes the car alone to school and is stopped, he faces 430 to 1,731 euro, the vehicle impounded for three months and revocation of the authorisation, which cannot be granted again (article 115, paragraph 1-septies, and article 122, paragraph 8, of the Codice della Strada).
What are the most common mistakes?
- Assuming an AM licence is enough: A1 or B1 is required.
- Driving with a parent right after applying, before finishing the ten hours and receiving the authorisation.
- Naming an accompanist over 60 or with a licence suspension in the last five years.
- Forgetting the GA sign at the front or rear.
- Going above 100 km/h on the motorway because the accompanist alone could drive at 130 km/h.
- Confusing accompanied driving with a B licence at 17, which does not exist in Italy yet.
- Waiting more than six months after turning 18 to apply for the B licence, losing credit for the course hours.
Frequently asked questions
Who can do accompanied driving?
A minor who has turned 17 and holds an A1 or B1 licence (Codice della Strada art. 115 paragraph 1-bis). An AM licence is not enough. A parent or legal guardian files the application with the Motorizzazione, and the minor signs it too.
Is the B licence theory exam required first?
No. The law requires an A1 or B1 licence, not the B theory exam. At least ten hours of practical lessons at a driving school are needed before driving with the accompanist (art. 115 paragraph 1-ter).
Who can be the accompanist?
A person holding a B or higher licence, not a special one, for at least ten years, aged 60 or under, with no licence suspension for Highway Code violations in the last five years (DM 213/2011, art. 6). Up to three accompanists can be named on the authorisation.
Which cars can be used?
Motor vehicles with a maximum laden mass up to 3.5 tonnes, no trailer, and a specific power per tonne of tare within the article 117 paragraph 2-bis limit, currently 75 kW/t. The car must display the GA sign, black letters on a retroreflective yellow background, front and rear.
Is the motorway allowed during accompanied driving?
The law does not ban motorways, but it applies the new-driver speed limits: 100 km/h on motorways and 90 km/h on strade extraurbane principali (art. 115 paragraph 1-quinquies, referring to art. 117 paragraph 2).
Who may ride in the car?
Besides the minor, only the accompanist. No other person may be on board besides the driver (art. 115 paragraph 1-quater).
How long is the authorisation valid?
Until the 18th birthday. If the minor's A1 or B1 licence expires earlier, the authorisation expires with it and is renewed together with the licence, never beyond age 18 (DM 213/2011, art. 2 and 5).
Can you get a B licence at 17 in Italy?
No. The Codice della Strada in force sets 18 as the age for the B licence (art. 115 paragraph 1). At 17 only accompanied driving is possible. The new EU driving licence directive has not yet been transposed in Italy, so it does not apply.
How much does accompanied driving cost?
The application needs payments for stamp duty and Motorizzazione fees, whose amounts are updated over time: check them on the Portale dell'Automobilista or at the office. The price of the ten-hour course varies between driving schools.
What happens if the minor drives without the named accompanist?
Article 122 paragraph 8 applies: 430 to 1,731 euro, with the vehicle impounded for three months. The rules on revoking the authorisation also apply (art. 115 paragraph 1-septies).
Do accompanied driving hours count toward the B licence?
Partly. If the B licence application is filed within six months of turning 18, some of the driving-school course hours count toward the compulsory lessons of article 122 paragraph 5-bis (DM 213/2011, art. 9). Hours driven with a private accompanist do not count.
Amounts and procedures can change: legal notes.
Sources: Codice della Strada, articles 115, 122 and 117; Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport decree no. 213 of 11 November 2011; Portale dell'Automobilista.