Neopatentato: rules for the first three years
Data updated on 2026-09-16. Source: Codice della Strada on Normattiva
A neopatentato is a driver who has held a B licence for less than three years. For licences obtained from 14 December 2024, three years of 75 kW/t and 105 kW power limits, zero alcohol, 100 km/h on motorways and doubled points apply. Source: Codice della Strada, articles 117, 186-bis and 126-bis.
Who counts as a neopatentato, and for how long?
The Codice della Strada has no single definition: each rule states its own start date. The speed limit in article 117 paragraph 2 covers the first three years after obtaining an A2, A, B1 or B licence. The power limits in paragraph 2-bis concern the B licence only and last three years from issue. Zero alcohol under article 186-bis covers the first three years of a B licence and, whatever the licence, every driver under 21.
Doubled points follow their own rule: the table attached to article 126-bis applies it to licences issued after 1 October 2003 to people who did not already hold another B or higher licence. Someone who regains a licence after revocation should check their own position.
Which cars can a neopatentato drive?
For the first three years after a B licence is issued, motor vehicles with a specific power above 75 kW/t of tare weight are not allowed. For M1 passenger cars, electric and plug-in hybrid models included, a maximum power limit of 105 kW also applies. The rule was introduced by Law no. 177 of 25 November 2024, in force from 14 December 2024.
Drivers who obtained the licence before 14 December 2024 remain under the previous rule: 55 kW/t and 70 kW, for the first year only (Ministry of the Interior circular 300/STRAD/1/38625 of 20 December 2024). The power limits do not apply in two cases: when the seat beside the driver is taken, acting as instructor, by a person aged 65 or under with a valid licence of the same or a higher category obtained at least ten years earlier; or when the vehicle serves a person with a disability authorised under article 188 who is on board.
| Parameter | Limit | Where to find it |
|---|---|---|
| Specific power | 75 kW / t | Power P.2 divided by tare in tonnes |
| Maximum power (M1 cars) | 105 kW | Field P.2 of the registration document |
| Licences obtained before 14/12/2024 | 55 kW/t and 70 kW | First year only |
Specific power is the power in kW (P.2) divided by the tare weight in tonnes. Tare is the unladen mass of the vehicle: it is not field F.2, which gives the maximum laden mass. If unsure which figure to use, ask the Motorizzazione. A 95 kW car with a 1,200 kg tare, for example, reaches 79.2 kW/t: under 105 kW but over 75 kW/t, so it is not allowed. The Italian version of this page has a calculator.
How much alcohol may a neopatentato drink before driving?
None. Article 186-bis bans driving after drinking for drivers in the first three years of a B licence and for drivers under 21. Penalties grow with the measured level.
| Blood alcohol | Penalty | Points (neopatentato) |
|---|---|---|
| Above 0 and up to 0.5 g/l | 168 to 672 euro, doubled if the driver causes a crash | 10 |
| Above 0.5 and up to 0.8 g/l | Penalties of art. 186 paragraph 2 letter a, increased by one third | 20 |
| Above 0.8 g/l | Offence under art. 186 paragraph 2 letters b and c, penalties increased by one third to one half | 20 |
The points in the last two rows are the 10 points set for article 186, doubled. A balance of 20 points is wiped out by one such violation.
How fast may a neopatentato drive on the motorway?
100 km/h. On strade extraurbane principali the limit is 90 km/h. Article 117 paragraph 2 sets this for the first three years of an A2, A, B1 or B licence. Exceeding it costs 165 to 660 euro and a licence suspension of two to eight months (art. 117 paragraph 5).
| Road | Neopatentato | General limit |
|---|---|---|
| Motorway (autostrada) | 100 km/h | 130 km/h |
| Strada extraurbana principale | 90 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Strada extraurbana secondaria | 90 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Built-up area | 50 km/h | 50 km/h |
If a sign sets a lower limit, the sign applies.
Do the new-driver speed limits last 12 months or 3 years?
Three years. Article 117 paragraph 2 of the Codice della Strada bans going above 100 km/h on motorways and 90 km/h on strade extraurbane principali "for the first three years" after obtaining an A2, A, B1 or B licence. Paragraph 4 adds that the limits apply automatically from the date the article 121 fitness exam is passed.
The 12-month figure circulates because, for licences obtained before 14 December 2024, the power limit (55 kW/t and 70 kW) lasted only for the first year. Speed was never tied to that period. Today the power limits also last three years for new B licences.
How many points does a neopatentato lose per violation?
Twice as many. The table attached to article 126-bis doubles the points for each violation committed in the first three years from issue. In the same period, a driver with no point-losing violations gains one extra point a year, up to three.
| Violation | Standard points | Neopatentato |
|---|---|---|
| Running a red light (art. 146 paragraph 3) | 6 | 12 |
| Speeding by more than 10 and up to 40 km/h (art. 142 paragraph 8) | 3 | 6 |
| Speeding by more than 40 km/h (art. 142 paragraph 9) | 6 | 12 |
| Alcohol between 0 and 0.5 g/l (art. 186-bis paragraph 2) | 5 | 10 |
When several violations are recorded at the same moment, no more than 15 points can be deducted, except where suspension or revocation of the licence applies (art. 126-bis paragraph 1-bis). A driver who loses every point must retake the technical fitness exam under paragraph 6 (revisione): this is not a return to the foglio rosa.
What happens if a neopatentato breaks the limits?
Driving a car over the power limits, or going above 100 or 90 km/h, brings the same article 117 paragraph 5 penalty: 165 to 660 euro and a licence suspension of two to eight months. Breaking the general speed limits of article 142 is penalised separately, with doubled points.
Three concrete cases, built on the rules in force:
- If a new driver from Bologna, B licence obtained in March 2025, borrows her father's car (110 kW and a 1,400 kg tare, so 78.6 kW/t and over 105 kW) and is stopped while driving alone, she pays 165 to 660 euro and her licence is suspended for two to eight months (article 117, paragraphs 2-bis and 5, of the Codice della Strada). With her 58-year-old father, licensed for thirty years, beside her as instructor, the drive would have been lawful.
- If a young man from Bari with a one-year-old licence drives at 115 km/h on the A14, where the general limit is 130, he exceeds the 100 km/h allowed to him and pays 165 to 660 euro, with a licence suspension of two to eight months (article 117, paragraphs 2 and 5, of the Codice della Strada). For an ordinary driver the same speed would be legal.
- If a new driver from Turin leaves a dinner at 0.3 g/l and is checked, he pays 168 to 672 euro (article 186-bis, paragraph 2, of the Codice della Strada) and loses 10 points, the 5 in the article 126-bis table doubled. If he causes a crash, the fine doubles (same paragraph). For an experienced driver the same level would be no violation.
What are the most common mistakes new drivers make?
- Checking kW only and forgetting the tare ratio: a light car under 105 kW can exceed 75 kW/t.
- Applying the old limits (55 kW/t and 70 kW, one year) to a licence obtained after 14 December 2024.
- Assuming a drink under 0.5 g/l is tolerated: for a neopatentato the limit is zero.
- Holding 130 km/h on the motorway because the general sign says so.
- Believing the speed limits end after 12 months: they last three years.
- Using field F.2 of the registration document as the tare in the kW/t calculation.
- Accompanying a friend with a foglio rosa: that needs a licence held for at least ten years.
Frequently asked questions
How long do the neopatentato rules last?
Three years. For B licences obtained from 14 December 2024 the power limits also last three years, together with zero alcohol, lower speed limits and doubled points. Drivers who obtained the licence before that date stay under the old power rule: 55 kW/t and 70 kW for the first year only.
Which car can a neopatentato drive?
A car with a specific power of no more than 75 kW per tonne of tare weight and, for an M1 passenger car (electric or plug-in hybrid included), a maximum power of no more than 105 kW. Power is field P.2 of the registration document; tare weight must not be confused with the maximum laden mass in field F.2.
When may a neopatentato drive a more powerful car?
When the seat beside the driver is taken, acting as instructor, by a person aged 65 or under holding a valid licence of the same category (or higher) obtained at least ten years earlier. The limits also do not apply to vehicles serving a person with a disability who holds the authorisation, when that person is on board.
Is the alcohol limit really zero?
Yes. In the first three years of a B licence, and in any case under 21, the limit is zero. Between 0 and 0.5 g/l the fine is 168 to 672 euro, doubled if the driver causes a crash. Above 0.5 g/l the penalties of article 186 apply, increased by one third or by one third to one half.
What are the speed limits for a neopatentato?
100 km/h on motorways and 90 km/h on strade extraurbane principali for the first three years, against the general 130 and 110 km/h. Ordinary limits apply on other roads.
Do the new-driver speed limits last 12 months or 3 years?
Three years from obtaining the licence (Codice della Strada art. 117 paragraph 2). The one-year period applied only to the old power limits, for licences obtained before 14 December 2024.
How many points does a neopatentato lose?
Twice the figure in the article 126-bis table, for each violation in the first three years. Running a red light costs 12 points instead of 6; driving with 0 to 0.5 g/l of alcohol costs 10 points instead of 5.
What does a neopatentato risk for driving a car that is too powerful?
A fine of 165 to 660 euro and a licence suspension of two to eight months (art. 117 paragraph 5). The same penalty applies for exceeding 100 km/h on a motorway or 90 km/h on a strada extraurbana principale.
What happens if a neopatentato loses all points?
The licence goes to revisione: a new technical fitness exam (art. 126-bis paragraph 6). If the exam is not taken within thirty days of notification, the licence is suspended indefinitely.
Can a neopatentato accompany a learner with a foglio rosa?
No. The person accompanying a learner must have held the licence for at least ten years, which a neopatentato cannot have.
Penalty amounts are indicative and subject to updates: legal notes.
Sources: Codice della Strada, articles 117, 126 bis, 142 and 186 bis; Ministry of the Interior; Portale dell'Automobilista.