Italian points-based licence
Data updated on 2026-09-16. Source: Codice della Strada art. 126-bis, Portale dell'Automobilista
Every Italian licence starts with 20 points (Codice della Strada, art. 126-bis). Violations remove points according to a legal table, and new drivers lose them double for three years. After two years without violations the balance returns to 20; at zero points a licence review with an exam follows.
Sources: Codice della Strada articles 126-bis and 128, points table. Rules verified on 2026-09-16.
How are licence points lost?
Points are only lost for violations listed in the table attached to article 126-bis. The deduction becomes final when the ticket can no longer be challenged or an appeal has been rejected, and it is recorded in the national register of licensed drivers. The table below gives some base values; the ticket always states the points applied to the case.
| Violation | Points | CdS article |
|---|---|---|
| Speeding by more than 10 and up to 40 km/h | -3 | 142, para. 8 |
| Speeding by more than 40 and up to 60 km/h | -6 | 142, para. 9 |
| Speeding by more than 60 km/h | -10 | 142, para. 9-bis |
| Running a red light | -6 | 146, para. 3 |
| Not wearing a seat belt | -5 | 172 |
| Using a phone while driving without hands-free or earpiece | -5 | 173, para. 3-bis |
| Drink driving | -10 | 186 |
If several violations are recorded on the same occasion, no more than 15 points can be removed. The cap does not apply where the law provides for suspension or revocation of the licence.
Why do new drivers lose double points?
The points table states that, for licences issued after 1 October 2003 to people who did not already hold a licence B or higher, the points for each violation are doubled if it happens in the first three years after issue. Running a red light, which costs an experienced driver 6 points, costs a new driver 12. Two violations of that kind are enough to drop below half the balance.
Doubling does not apply to someone who already held a licence B or a higher category, for example a driver adding category C to a B held for years. For other new driver limits, such as vehicle power and alcohol, see the dedicated guide.
How do I check my points balance?
- Portale dell'Automobilista: log in with SPID or CIE, "Saldo punti patente" section.
- iPatente app: the Ministry's app, with the same SPID or CIE login, shows balance and changes.
- Automated phone service 06 45775962: available 24 hours a day, charged according to your phone plan.
For problems logging in to the Portale, the Ministry runs the free line 800 23 23 23 from landlines, on the days and at the times shown on the Portale.
How are lost points recovered?
| Method | Effect | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Two years without point-deducting violations | Balance restored to 20 | For holders below 20 points |
| Good conduct bonus | +2 points every two years | For holders at 20 points, up to 10 bonus points (30 in total) |
| Refresher course | +6 points | Driving school or authorised body, with final check; balance not at zero |
| Course for CQC holders | +9 points | Professional drivers, specific course; balance not at zero |
The course ends with a check, and the certificate goes to the Motorizzazione office, which updates the balance. Course prices are not set by law and vary between driving schools. A course is no use to someone already at zero: in that case the route is the licence review.
What happens when points reach zero?
Losing all points obliges the holder to take the technical fitness exam under article 128, known as the licence review (revisione). The Motorizzazione office serves the order. If the holder does not take the exam within 30 days of notification, the licence is suspended indefinitely by a final decision.
General information, not legal advice: legal notes.
Who loses the points if someone else was driving?
When a violation is not contested on the spot, for example by a speed camera, the ticket goes to the vehicle owner. The owner must send the driver's details within 60 days of notification, following the instructions on the ticket. Points are then taken from the person who was driving. If the details are not sent without a valid reason, a separate administrative fine applies, with an amount updated periodically.
If the owner of a car registered in Palermo receives a speed camera ticket and lets the 60 days pass without naming the driver and without a valid reason, she pays a fine of 291 to 1,166 euro on top of the original one (article 126-bis, paragraph 2, of the Codice della Strada in the text published by ACI).
What happens if...? Three real-world cases
If a new driver in Florence, with a licence B held for one year, runs a red light, she pays 167 to 665 euro (article 146, paragraph 3, of the Codice della Strada) and loses 12 points instead of 6, because the table attached to article 126-bis doubles points in the first three years: her balance falls from 20 to 8.
If a sales rep in Bologna who has held his licence for fifteen years is stopped without a seat belt just after running a red light, he loses 5 points for the belt and 6 for the light, 11 in total, below the 15-point cap per occasion (article 126-bis, paragraph 1-bis, of the Codice della Strada). He also pays 83 to 332 euro for the belt (article 172) and 167 to 665 euro for the red light (article 146, paragraph 3). A driving school course gives back 6 points (article 126-bis, paragraph 4).
If a driver in Naples reaches zero points and, after the Motorizzazione serves the review order, does not take the exam within 30 days of notification, the licence is suspended indefinitely until he passes the fitness exam (article 126-bis, paragraph 6, of the Codice della Strada).
What are the most common mistakes?
- Ignoring a ticket received at home: without the driver's details a second fine follows.
- Assuming doubling only covers serious violations: it covers every point-deducting violation in the first three years.
- Waiting until zero to take a course, when it can no longer be used.
- Relying on a balance seen months ago: deductions are recorded when the ticket becomes final.
Frequently asked questions
How many points does a licence start with?
20 points, assigned at issue and recorded in the national register of licensed drivers (Codice della Strada, art. 126-bis).
How do I check my points balance?
In the private area of the Portale dell'Automobilista, with SPID or CIE, or with the Ministry's iPatente app. The Portale also lists an automated phone service on 06 45775962, available 24 hours a day.
Do new drivers lose double points?
Yes. For licences issued after 1 October 2003 to people who did not already hold a licence B or higher, table points are doubled for violations committed in the first three years after issue.
How do I recover points?
Two years without point-deducting violations brings the balance back to 20. Anyone already at 20 gets a 2-point bonus every two years, up to a maximum of 10 bonus points (30 in total).
Show the rest of the answer
Alternatively a refresher course recovers 6 points, or 9 for CQC (professional driver qualification) holders taking the specific course, as long as the balance is not already zero.
How much does a points recovery course cost?
There is no national price. Courses are run by driving schools and other authorised bodies, which set their own fees: ask several driving schools in your area for a quote.
What happens at zero points?
The holder must undergo a licence review, meaning the technical fitness exam under art. 128. If the holder does not take it within 30 days of notification, the licence is suspended indefinitely.
How many points can be lost at once?
A maximum of 15 points when several violations are recorded at the same time, except where the law provides for licence suspension or revocation (art. 126-bis, paragraph 1-bis).
Who loses points if the violation is not contested on the spot?
The vehicle owner must send the driver's details within 60 days of the ticket being served. Failing to do so without a valid reason brings a separate administrative fine, with an amount updated periodically and shown on the ticket.
Sources: Codice della Strada, articles 126 bis and 128; Portale dell'Automobilista, points balance.