Italian licence B renewal
Data updated on 2026-09-16. Source: Codice della Strada, Portale dell'Automobilista
An Italian licence B is valid for 10 years, but only 5 if issued or renewed after age 50, 3 after 70 and 2 from 80 (Codice della Strada, art. 126). Renewal needs a medical visit; the Portale dell'Automobilista lists 10.20 euro in fees and 16 euro stamp duty, plus the doctor's charge.
Sources: Codice della Strada articles 119, 126 and 128; Portale dell'Automobilista. Verified on 2026-09-16.
How often is the licence renewed?
The period depends on the holder's age when the licence is issued or confirmed. Article 126 of the Codice della Strada sets a base of 10 years for categories AM, A and B. It drops to 5 years once the holder is over 50 and to 3 years over 70. From the 80th birthday renewal becomes every two years.
| Holder's age | Validity |
|---|---|
| Up to 50 | 10 years |
| 50 to 69 | 5 years |
| 70 to 79 | 3 years |
| From 80 | 2 years |
The exact expiry date is printed on the back of the licence, in the category B column, and also appears in the private area of the Portale dell'Automobilista and in the iPatente app.
How much does renewal cost?
Two items are fixed and paid through PagoPA. Everything else depends on the doctor and the city, so there is no single total valid across Italy.
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Motorizzazione fees | €10.20 | PagoPA, Portale dell'Automobilista tariff list |
| Stamp duty (imposta di bollo) | €16.00 | PagoPA, together with the fees |
| Medical visit | Varies | Varies by doctor or facility |
| Passport photos | Varies | If the doctor requires them |
Many medical practices collect both ministry amounts with the visit and generate the PagoPA payment themselves. Before paying, check the tariff code on the official tariff list, because amounts can be updated.
General information, not legal advice: legal notes.
Which documents are needed?
- The licence to renew, in original.
- A valid identity document.
- The codice fiscale or health card.
- Passport photos, if the doctor asks for them.
- PagoPA receipts for fees and stamp duty, if paid in advance.
- Glasses or contact lenses used for driving, for the eye test.
- Any clinical records on ongoing conditions (for example diabetes or heart problems).
How does renewal work, step by step?
- Check the expiry dateOn the back of the licence, on the Portale dell'Automobilista or in the iPatente app.
- Book the medicalWith a doctor listed in art. 119 CdS: ASL, authorised doctor or, where required, the Commissione Medica Locale.
- Pay fees and stamp duty10.20 euro and 16 euro through PagoPA, unless the doctor handles it.
- Attend the visitEyesight, hearing and general health checks.
- Result sentThe doctor sends the data to the Ministry and hands over the certificate.
- Receive the duplicateThe Ministry posts the new licence with the new expiry date (art. 126, paragraph 8).
If the doctor has doubts about fitness, for example a condition that needs a panel decision, the case goes to the Commissione Medica Locale. This takes longer, and the validity granted can be shorter than usual.
Can I drive while waiting for the new licence?
Yes, in Italy. The Portale dell'Automobilista states that after a passed medical, the doctor's certificate allows driving on Italian roads until the duplicate arrives. Abroad the certificate does not carry the same weight, so anyone travelling with a licence close to expiry should renew in good time.
What happens if the licence has expired?
Driving with an expired licence brings the fine in article 126, paragraph 11, of the Codice della Strada, and the licence is withdrawn. The amount is updated every two years in line with ISTAT indices (art. 195 CdS), so the figure on the ticket is the one that counts.
| Time since expiry | What is needed |
|---|---|
| Up to 5 years | Standard medical and PagoPA payments |
| Over 5 years | Medical plus a driving test on technical fitness (paragraph 8-ter) |
How does renewal work after 80?
From age 80 a licence B must be renewed every 2 years (art. 126, paragraph 6). The visit still checks physical and mental requirements. Where needed, the doctor can prescribe adaptations or restrictions, shown on the licence with specific codes, or refer the case to the Commissione Medica Locale.
What happens if...? Three real-world cases
If an office worker in Bari renews his licence at 52, he gets 5 years of validity instead of 10, because he is over 50 at confirmation (article 126 of the Codice della Strada). The next renewal falls when he is 57.
If a retired woman in Turin finds that her licence expired 6 years ago, the medical alone is not enough: confirming validity also requires passing a driving test (article 126, paragraph 8-ter, of the Codice della Strada).
If a craftsman in Verona is stopped with a licence that expired two months earlier, he is fined between 158 and 638 euro and the licence is withdrawn (article 126, paragraph 11, of the Codice della Strada). To drive again he must pass the medical and complete renewal; no driving test is needed, because the licence expired less than 5 years ago.
What are the most common mistakes?
- Working out validity from current age instead of age at renewal.
- Paying with the wrong tariff code: check the tariff list before paying.
- Forgetting glasses or lenses at the visit, which includes an eye test.
- Travelling abroad with only the medical certificate while waiting for the duplicate.
- Letting more than 5 years pass after expiry, which triggers the driving test.
Frequently asked questions
How often is an Italian licence B renewed?
Every 10 years. If the licence is issued or confirmed for someone over 50 it is valid for 5 years, over 70 for 3 years, and from age 80 it is renewed every 2 years (Codice della Strada, art. 126).
How much does renewal cost?
The ministry items are 10.20 euro in Motorizzazione fees and 16 euro in stamp duty, paid through PagoPA. The doctor's fee comes on top; it is not set nationally and varies by practice or facility.
Who carries out the renewal medical?
One of the doctors listed in art. 119 of the Codice della Strada, for example an ASL doctor with forensic medicine duties or an authorised doctor. In some cases set by law the visit is handled by the Commissione Medica Locale.
What should I bring to the medical?
The licence, a valid ID, the codice fiscale, any passport photos the doctor asks for, the PagoPA receipts and any glasses or contact lenses used for driving. Ask the doctor for the exact list when booking.
How does the renewed licence arrive?
After the visit the doctor sends the result and the Ministry posts a duplicate licence with the new expiry date (art. 126, paragraph 8). While waiting, the Portale dell'Automobilista says the doctor's certificate lets the holder drive in Italy.
What happens if I drive with an expired licence?
The fine set by art. 126, paragraph 11, of the Codice della Strada applies, with an amount updated periodically (art. 195 CdS), and the licence is withdrawn. Renewal must be completed before driving again.
Can I drive with a licence that expired a year ago?
No. From the day after expiry driving is not allowed, however little time has passed: the fine under art. 126, paragraph 11, and withdrawal of the licence apply. With a licence expired for one year, the standard medical is enough, with no driving test.
Do I have to retake a test if the licence expired long ago?
If it expired more than 5 years ago, renewal requires passing a driving test that shows technical fitness has been kept (art. 126, paragraph 8-ter). Below 5 years the standard medical is enough.
Sources: Codice della Strada, articles 126 and 119; Portale dell'Automobilista, licence renewal, PagoPA tariff list.