I have a few quick questions about getting my patente here in italy.

I have residency but I haven't received my official pds card but the receipts would that be sufficient enough to get the patente?
also I've driven a stick shift all my life so I don't need driving lessons,I only will need the study for the written test. I've heard the cost are like 400 euros with the driving lessons does anyone has any idea how much it will cost to get the written exam and also I heard you can take the exam in english which i prefer.

also last question do you have to go through the autoscuola no other agency or go directly to there highway department..

Thanks

You have residency without your PdiS? Normally you need the Permesso before you can establish residency.

Anyway, residency is the requirement for the patente. You need to show your Carta d'Identita. Autoscuola costs vary between €400 and €500 but that usually only includes the prep for the exam. Driving lessons are extra, or at least they were at our autoscuola. If you don't want them, don't take them.

The exams are now done on touch-screen computers and are available in English. Though bear in mind that they take no responsibility for dodgy translations into English. If you make a mistake based on a dodgy translation, tough luck. The questions appear in both Italian and English on the computer screen, so it's a good idea to understand the questions in Italian as well.

You don't have to go through an autoscuola. Problem is, it's difficult to obtain the theory and practise test books in English except through an autoscuola. You would also need to hire a dual-control car from an autoscuola in order to do the practical test.

If you are on a pds per lavoro subordinato, lavoro autonomo or ricongiungimento familiare the Motorizzazione Civile is required to accept the pds. Otherwise, you must hope to get a friendly bureaucrat (mine checked my pds even after I showed her my carta d'identità, so residenza wasn't enough).

You can do the application for foglio rosa and theory examine directly through the Motorizzazione Civile. The cost isn't much, I think Cristina describes her experience with it at www.expatsinitaly.com .

The theory exam is available in English. For the driving test you'll need a dual control car, so try to find an autoscuola that will let you pay to use the car only for the test.

I am just starting this process and started with the Mottorizzazione Civile to get the forms and details I needed. With a web search I found their local website that is also helpful.

Next was to find a scuola that would provide me with the books in English without taking all of their courses, this required visits to more than one scuola to find one that would do this. You cannot buy the books at una liberia. I found one this morning who sold me the manuale and practice books (32 euro for both). With this I can take the theory portion on my own (after getting medical exam). Nice thing is the books are in Italian and English, I have already noticed some questionable translations.

This scuola will let me use them for the practical portion, I rent their car for 120 euro and a guida for 20 euro. You need the scuola because you need their dual brake car.

I had other scuole that were not willing to do this, they wanted me to take all of their classes (and pay them for it). After 30+ years of driving I don't need more drivers ed!

quote:

Originally posted by Bryan S:
I found one this morning who sold me the manuale and practice books (32 euro for both).

Ours were €5 each from the autoscuola when doing classes with them. Obviously we paid approx. €400 for the classes, but I wouldn't have missed the classes. Fascinating experience, great for improving your Italian.

quote:

I had other scuole that were not willing to do this, they wanted me to take all of their classes (and pay them for it). After 30+ years of driving I don't need more drivers ed!

It's not so much a matter of driver education as getting your head around some of the subtleties, variations and even inconsistencies of the laws here. There are more than a few hidden traps.

Graeme's correct. Both my wife and I have been driving for over 30 years. We drove for 12 years here in Italy with only military licenses. There was a silly written test required for the license, took maybe half an hour of studying. We didn't have any problems with the law during those years but learned a whole lot we hadn't know about Italian driving laws during autoscuola. Definitely more comforting to know the laws.

Thanks for all the info.

By the way Graeme, I got my residenza and USL card and carta d'identita I think because I have the visa stamped in my passport for work, I came here for work, I was offered a job. It's not my fault that the Questura di Pisa is backed up on the Pds its a bit crazy but what can we do but wait.. plus the commune where I live is on top of things..

Anyway I'm going to start with Motorizzazione Civile and go from there. you guys are really great. I'll keep you updated..