Vehicles and driving licenses

On the subject of driving licenses, the Circular n. 107 of 14 October 1997 of the Ministry of Transport provides that, for citizens residing abroad, regularly registered in A.I.R.E., the procedure for confirming the validity of the license is carried out abroad by the diplomatic-consular authorities.

Pursuant to art. 126 paragraph 9 of the C.d.S. the Consulate issues to holders of an Italian driving license residing or staying abroad for a period of at least 6 months, a certificate confirming the validity of the driving license which expired less than 5 years ago which, for the period of stay abroad, certifies the validity verification of the continuation of the mental and physical suitability requirements.
and which will allow you to drive legally in Italy as long as your residence abroad lasts.

Within 6 months of the definitive return to Italy, you have the obligation to renew the driving license whose validity has been confirmed abroad, according to the normal procedures provided for in paragraph 8 of the aforementioned art. 126 of the C.d.S.

The Consulate does not, therefore, issue a new driving licence, but the equivalent of the sticker which in Italy was sent, until a few years ago, to the holder by the DMV at the time of renewal and which is valid for 10 years if the applicant has less of 50 years or for 5 if the applicant is over 50 years old

To confirm the validity of the Italian driving license the interested party must:

Make an appointment for a medical examination with one of the doctors authorized to issue the certificate for driving license renewal. The cost of the visit is borne by the interested party:

• Make an appointment for the medical examination with one of the doctors qualified to issue the certificate for the renewal of licenses. The cost of the visit is borne by the interested party:
  • Dr. Andrea DUCHINI, MD
    Address: 6560 Fannin St STE 1008, Houston, TX 77030
    Phone: (713) 275-3778
    Email: andreaduchini@hotmail.com
• Send to the Consulate General of Italy in Houston:
  • the license expired for no more than five years;
  • 1 (one) passport-size color photograph;
  • the medical certificate;
  • a USPS money order for $53.70.  Be aware that consular fees change every three months on Jan 1, Apr 1, July 1 and Oct 1.
  • a stamped envelope with the address for sending to the applicant;
  • the shipping authorization form (LINK), completed and signed.

For both envelopes we recommend using a traceable method.

Driving license holders are reminded that upon reacquisition of residence in Italy, they will have to carry out the ordinary renewal procedure (provided for by paragraph 8 of article 126 of the Highway Code) within six months, even if the certificate received from the Consulate was still valid.

N.B.: THE CONSULATE DOES NOT ISSUE DUPLICATES OR TEMPORARY DRIVING DOCUMENTS IN THE EVENT OF THEFT OR LOSS OF THE LICENSE.

For these cases, please refer to the instructions provided by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Sustainable Mobility, responsible for this matter, contained in the link below:
Loss, theft, destruction of driving license | mit