I have recently been asked by some retirees for information about driving legally in Italy...I am not an expert on anything bureaucratic, but passed on the information that I have gleaned from this website and my most recent autoscuola experience.
What I was surprised to learn, was that many had been living in Italy for years WITHOUT an Italian driving license. I do not want to create problems for these people, but prefer to pass on the correct information, so that they can remove themselves from their current "situation". (Many STILL believe that they can drive here as a retiree with the int driver's permit.)
Are individuals allowed to live here without filing for residency? And if they do, they can only drive with that international permit for one year? After that, they cannot drive legally, but how is their time-clock tracked if they don't file for residency? (I think that many stay close to military installations, and have been lucky with any encounters with authorities...not really a choice that I would make, but many do just that.)
I also passed on the warning that authorities are cracking down on these types of things, and that their vehicles COULD be seized. Is there anything else that I might pass on to this group to assist them? Thanks everyone!

quote:

Are individuals allowed to live here without filing for residency?

I believe not for foreigners.

On the issue of DLs, if they get an IDL, it will only last as long as the original license, which, if it's a US one, will only be good for 5-6 years depending. Unless the retiree here has maintained a US residence, the US DL won't be renewed, so everything expires.

Good to flag this though: people need to know the risks they're taking by not converting to an Italian DL.

Thanks, filomena.
What people decide to do with the information is their choice, but believe it or not, some aren't really aware that what they are doing is wrong. Thanks again!

Just an FYI. The IDP is valid only for 1 year from start date on the IDP. I am not sure about people living on base but those living off base have to have residency so if they do not have it then they can be fined or worse.

Many people do not know about the 1 year rule for driver's licenses unfortunately while others know about it but don't care. Luckily though, many read this forum, find out the rules and get an Italian license.

Thanks, Cristina!

When I first visited my local agenzia pratiche automobilistiche and tried to find out about getting a license, he asked if I still had a valid AFI license (the off-base driving license the military issues employees and dependents here). Unfortunately mine (and my wife's) had expired because we were transferred back to the States for my last year in the Air Force. He had converted several Americans' AFI licenses to Italian licenses in the past. The applicant must have residenza though.

Americans must apply for residenza within 20 days of receiving their permesso di soggiorno according to the US Embassy Rome http://italy.usembassy.gov/acs/general-visiting.asp . Your friends sound like they are living here as clandestini- not very bright.

quote:

Originally posted by Bill 2:


Americans must apply for residenza within 20 days of receiving their permesso di soggiorno according to the US Embassy Rome.

Actually, I was shocked to read the emails from this group because of the questions that they were asking...some have been living in Italy for quite some time and I would be willing to bet that they have never filed for residency.

Your friends sound like they are living here as clandestini- not very bright.

Exactly...some are blatantly ignoring the law. Friends? Well, I am just a recipient on their mailing list willing to forward helpful information. BTW, I'll bet that there are a large number of these retirees that are clandestine!

Sorry I goofed trying to respond to sections of your quote, Bill.

I'm guessing they believe they'll receive special treatment because they're Americans. My vet had some American customers who bought a house near here, retired, got a pds and residenza, and then never renewed the pds. The comune sent them a letter requesting a copy of the renewed pds, and they blew the comune off. After a few follow ups the comune sent the vigili 'round, found the people and told them they had to leave. Again, they blew the law off and ended up with expulsion orders. They are gone now and the house is abandoned. WTF?

Bill, I hope that you read this and can comment...there are two groups of retirees (south and further south) with differing views on getting drivers' licenses here. As I mentioned previously, some are just breaking the rules and others don't have accurate information. Needless to say, the two groups are at odds now with one another on what the correct info is...it's ridiculous.
Anyway, according to information that I received from a group near Naples trying to do the right thing, individuals can request in writing a driver's examination in English from the Motorizzione di Napoli - attaching a tax stamp. They also say to provide the following: two vouchers CC4028 (cost 14,62€), one voucher CC9001 (cost 15 €), a medical certificate from ASL and photos with one tax stamp. Have you heard of this before?
FWIW, the second retiree group further south is sticking with the "drive forever with the IDP" theory.

This may be the conversion of military license my agenzia pratiche automobilistiche told me about. But I would have received an Italian license as a result, not continued to use my military-issued license or US license.

BTW here's info from the retirees' group at Naples on driving:
http://usmra-si.tripod.com/id62.html

I see nothing about the process they told you about.

Thanks, Bill. Hmmmm, the link that you provided is from ONE of the groups that I mentioned...but NOT the group that believes an Italian license is mandatory.

Yeah, I noticed they had a new item from June 08 about using the IDP if you don't have residency. I have no way of contacting them or I'd let them know about the Rome US embassy statement that you must apply for residency within 20 days of getting your pds. Or are they also saying you don't need a pds?

To be quite frank, the two groups disagree on some of the rules...how many and exactly which ones I can't say. All I know is that I'm staying out of the controversy, but am willing to provide information to those that WANT to do the correct thing by residing here legally.

Just an update...some retirees from the group trying to do the right thing found an autoschool about 30 minutes from Caserta that is being taught in English. I think the name of the town is Mariglianella (?). The school will also provide them with transport into Naples to take the exam in English. Cool.