Pecora Nera

I wrote on my blog about the fun and games I had changing my driving licence to an Italian one. Today I received an E mail from someone who had read my blog because she was looking for answers, not that my blog is particularly helpful or has any useful answers.

So here is the question.

The lady was stopped by the Italian Police, first they decided her licence was issued in UKraine, when they realised it was issued in the UK they confiscated it, because the driver has been resident in Italy for 2 years. To make matters even better, it would appear the police have now lost the licence. No shock there

So questions,
1) Has anyone had any experience with the police confiscating a UK licence.
2) Does anyone have a link to the length of time you can drive on a UK licence in Italy

3) Any useful suggestions, Duffer please keep them clean (ish)

I would be tempted to apply for a replacement UK licence and then exchange it. I know you need a UK address.

Thanks
PN

Isakat

Pecora, when I saw the title of your post I immediately thought -o, no, he waited for such a long time and now they have confiscated it?

Then I realized it was a question for someone else. I do not think I can help you a lot, apart from the fact that I used to know a Canadian lady who was driving here for several years on a Canadian licence.
When the Carabinieri stopped her and realized this, they impounded her car and confiscated her licence.
I remember her being stranded in Campo Felice with 2 young children, being taken in the local police station and she was very upset.
I do not rememenber though how it ended apart from paying 700 euro to get her car back, which she could not drive without a licence.

My only suggestion would be for this person to contact someone in the British Consulate for help.

Garbatellamike

Pecora,

My understanding is that you can drive on a UK licence until it runs out, after which you must transfer to an Italian one if you are resident here.

BTW - I carry a translation of my UK licence into Italian, which has an official looking stamp in case of this sort of thing albeit I have not yet needed it so can't comment on whether this will work - but best be prepared eh!

If you have a UK address go for the replacment, which I did on line when I replaced mine recently as I had lost the counterpart bit and needed it for a hire car in the UK.
:

As to a link, I offer this:

https://www.gov.uk/living-in-italy

In accordance with EU regulations on the recognition of licences, Italian licence regulations will apply to the driver’s EU/EEA licence regarding:

•the period of validity of the licence
•required medical checks
•minimum driver’s age
•penalties and restrictions, including suspension, withdrawal and cancellation of the licence

Validity periods of an Italian licence are as follows
•ten years for people under the age of 50
•five years for those between 50 and 70 years of age
•three years thereafter

As Italian licence regulations apply to anyone obtaining residence in Italy, for residents under 50 years of age who hold a driving licence from another EU/EEA country, their licence will expire 10 years after residency is obtained, regardless of the validity period of the EU/EEA licence they hold. For those between 50 and 70 years of age, their EU/EEA licence will expire 5 years after the first day residency is obtained. At this time, the foreign licence must be surrendered and exchanged for an Italian licence.

Exchange an EU/EEA licence for an Italian licence
To convert a foreign licence the holder should go to the nearest Provincial Office of Motor Vehicles (Ufficio Provinciale della Motorizzazione Civile) and be prepared to provide the following:

•application form TT 2112 (obtained at the Office of Motor Vehicles)
•the licence and at least one clear photocopy of front and back
•valid ID and at least one photocopy of the photo/details page
•residence permit and at least one photocopy of the front and back
•two recent passport photographs (white background, head uncovered)
•medical certificate issued within the previous six months certifying that the driver is physically and mentally fit
•receipt of payment of the fee (for the current fee amount, inquire at the Office of Motor Vehicles)
The original licence will be retained or stamped as exchanged. Expect the process to take up to four months after which an Italian licence will be issued.

37100

2yrs for driving licences that do not have an expiry date. This is the Italian Ministry of Transport's link.
http://www.mit.gov.it/mit/site.php?p=cm&o=vd&id=308#5

Yeap, I'd be tempted to just apply for a replacement.

Isakat. Do not expect help from the consulate.

Garbatellamike

Also be aware that the DVLA are sharks.

My replacment licence, which they charged me a bundle for is only valid to the expiry date of the one I was replacing hence I will need to replace it again, and pay again, in a mere 12 months time - gits!!

37100

Garbettellamike. You can't AFAIK, drive on a UK licence here until it runs out. The date of residency is what counts. That is under 50 you can drive for 10yrs, 5 yrs between 50 and 70 etc.

Garbatellamike

Yes I think you are spot on there 37100

modicasa

The law changed last year. A UK European licence - ie one with a photocard is valid in Italy until its expiry - as it now the case in all EU countries.

37100

Not until it's UK expiry date, but from the date of residency, until it would expire if it was an Italian one.

Pecora Nera

Hi Isakat,

Touch wood (he says as he touches his head) I still have my licence. Thanks to everyone who has offered advice, I have passed the advice on to the lady.

PN

clint

OH had a query with the local vigili over UK driving licence initially they said you had to change it I think they mentioned points and 160€ fine, when I pointed out that this was not correct and showed them what was previously posted they had to agreed that one can drive on UK licence without converting till the expiry date of the photocard part of the licence

37100

Again, no Clint. You have to respect the Italian expiry dates from the date of residency.
Ministero Trasporti: PATENTE COMUNITARIA O RILASCIATA DA STATO DELLO SPAZIO ECONOMICO EUROPEO
Per i titolari di una patente di guida rilasciata da uno Stato dell'Unione Europea o dello Spazio economico europeo è possibile guidare sul territorio italiano veicoli per i quali è valida la loro patente, senza obbligo di conversione dopo un anno dall'acquisizione della residenza in Italia.
Tuttavia se la patente non ha limiti di validità deve essere convertita dopo due anni dall'acquisizione della residenza ni Italia.
E' comunque consigliabile richiedere, in alternativa, la conversione oppure il riconoscimento di validità (ad esempio per facilitare le procedure di rinnovo o duplicato patente).
Le patenti per cui non si provvede a nessuna delle operazioni sopra riportate seguono comunque le normative italiane per quanto riguarda il rinnovo ed eventuali provvedimenti sanzionatori

37100

Something we found out a few days ago. In the case of physical injuries in a car accident, the police now confiscate your licence until they recieve blood test results.

clint

Sorry but I don't agree with your interpretation the paper part of a UK driving licence states vaild till 70th birthday however the photocard part of it is only valid for 10 years from the date of issue and has to be reniewed when it expires. The vigile agreed that it was the correct interpretation after having looked up their own reference manual and checked with another higher grade officer as at the time the photocard part of the licence was (still is) valid till 2015 after that we will have to change to an Italian one

He did however suggest that it would be better to do the riconoscimento di validità

modicasa

Im afraid I dont agree with you Concierge. The new law from 2013 is applicable throughout Europe and licences are valid until their expiry. Upon their expiry you must renew in the country of your residence. You are quoting the previous law.