Requirements
New drivers and electric cars: how to check current limits
For an electric car, check its approved power-to-mass ratio and M1 maximum power, then use the MIT plate checker for the exact vehicle.
For B licences obtained from 14 December 2024, power-to-mass limits apply for the first three years, with an additional maximum power cap for M1 passenger cars. Electric cars are included: compare approved data and check the plate through the current MIT service.
New-driver limits
Law 177/2024 amended Article 117 of the Highway Code: the new limits apply to B licences obtained from 14 December 2024. For the first three years, the limit is 75 kW per tonne based on unladen mass; M1 vehicles also have a maximum power cap of 105 kW. Licences obtained before that date remain subject to the previous rules. Electric and plug-in hybrid cars are included; their powertrain does not create an exemption. Exceptions include a vehicle serving a person with a disability when that person is present and a qualified instructor under specified conditions.
Do not confuse peak power, rated power, power-to-mass ratio and mass: they are different figures. Electric cars may list multiple power values, such as short-term maximum and continuous rated power. Use the approved data relevant to the rule, not a marketing figure or dashboard display. The licence issue date determines the restricted period; check it on the licence and verify the current law.
Check the exact model
The simplest route is the official Portale dell’Automobilista service linked by MIT: enter the registration plate to check whether a new driver may use that vehicle. Enter the plate carefully and repeat the check if the vehicle or data have changed. If the car is imported, modified or the result is unclear, compare its registration documents and ask the licensing office. Do not infer the result from a dealer’s power figure alone.
The service checks the restriction for that plate; it does not certify insurance, licence validity or other conditions. If the result is positive, follow all other applicable restrictions. If it is negative, do not drive the vehicle unless a verified exception applies. For example, meeting the power-to-mass threshold is not enough if the M1 maximum power limit is exceeded. Quizzes and explanations can help study the rule; the exact model decision requires official data and a plate check.
Quiz Patente Ufficiale provides chapters, theory quizzes, explanations, mistake review and study statistics; check a specific car through MIT’s official plate service.
Frequently asked questions
Are electric cars exempt from new-driver limits?
No. The limits include electric and plug-in hybrid M1 vehicles. Use approved data and check the plate through MIT’s service.
Is staying below 75 kW per tonne enough?
No. M1 passenger cars also have a maximum power cap. Check both criteria and any applicable exceptions.