Learner’s permit (foglio rosa)
Can you drive on a motorway with a provisional licence?
It depends on the category and conditions. For Category B, check the accompanying driver, certificates and passenger rules.
A Category B provisional licence does not rule out motorway practice, but the law sets requirements for supervision, the vehicle and mandatory lessons.
Having a provisional licence is not enough
Article 122 of the Italian Highway Code allows practice with authorisation, but requires a qualified accompanying driver. For Category B, MIT also requires driving-school lessons on motorways, main extra-urban roads and at night. So it is not an unconditional yes: check that your practice and certificate comply with the rules applying to the date your provisional licence was issued.
Decree 294 of 2025 introduces a new eight-hour programme and certification platform, but the new system starts when the executive decree regulating the platform enters into force. Earlier authorisations remain under the 2012 rules. The MIT page consulted still specifies at least six hours. Check official updates and ask your driving school what certificate you need; do not infer the applicable rule from the calendar year alone.
Safety and conduct
The companion must sit beside the learner and meet the requirements. The vehicle must be roadworthy, insured, marked as required and suitable. The Highway Code also restricts lanes and speed: on a carriageway with at least three lanes, learners may not use lanes beyond the two nearest the right-hand edge. The 2012 decree also limits who may be in a private car during motorway and other special practice.
Do not make your first motorway drive a test of skill. Agree on a route, time and goal suited to your experience and the traffic and weather. If you are not ready to accelerate, merge or maintain distance, practise first in less demanding places. Your instructor should assess whether the route is safe. A legal lesson can still be risky if you are unprepared or conditions are poor.
Before entering
- Check that the certificate required for your authorisation is valid.
- Check the companion’s qualifications, insurance and vehicle sign.
- Agree on route and conditions with a qualified instructor.
Do you need a driving licence? Study and practise with Quiz Patente Ufficiale: exam-style quizzes, topic explanations and a review of your mistakes.
Frequently asked questions
Can I drive on a motorway with a family member?
Yes, after completing the required certified Category B lessons, with a family member who has held a Category B or higher licence for at least 10 years and is no older than 65. In a private car, only that companion may be present besides you.
Must I complete certified lessons first?
Category B requires certified practice in specific conditions. The hours and rules depend on when the provisional licence was issued and when Decree 294/2025’s implementing provisions take effect.