Albanian driving licence: when you can apply for conversion

The renewed Italy–Albania agreement takes effect on 31 October 2026, but MIT says applications are accepted from 2 November. The stated residence deadline is four years.

The application date matters

As of 20 October 2026, MIT says the new Italy–Albania agreement takes effect on 31 October, but applies to conversion applications submitted from 2 November 2026 through 30 October 2031. An application filed before 2 November should therefore not be assumed to fall under the new agreement. If you already have an appointment, ask the UMC whether it should be moved or whether transitional rules apply to your case.

For Albania, the Ministry gives you four years from acquiring Italian residence to apply for conversion. Your registered residence date matters: calculate the deadline from the official record and ask the Motorisation Office if you changed residence, had your registration cancelled or have a special status. The agreement's validity through 2031 does not automatically extend your personal deadline.

Which licences can be converted

Conversion depends on the licence type, validity, categories and conditions of the agreement. Check that your licence is a definitive national document, still valid, and that its categories appear in the table. Issue and renewal dates can matter. If it was converted from another country, is provisional or has unclear codes, ask the UMC before collecting attachments.

The Motorist Portal's list says for each country whether a translation, authenticity certificate or other specific documents are required. The bilateral agreement and circulars also matter. Do not rely on old pages showing 12 July 2026 as the previous agreement's expiry: the renewal came later.

How to prepare the application

After 2 November, check the local booking procedure and prepare the form, ID, tax code, original licence, valid medical certificate and PagoPA payment. Include any translation or certification required by the Albania table. Medical certificates are valid for a limited period, so it is sensible to obtain one close to your appointment. Ask whether your office needs originals or certified copies and whether it will keep the foreign licence.

An incomplete file may stop processing or lead to a request for more documents. Keep your booking receipt, application reference and copies. Before driving while the application is pending, ask the UMC which document remains valid: filing an application does not by itself grant temporary permission.

After conversion

When you receive your Italian licence, check the categories, codes, dates and restrictions straight away. If anything differs from the Albanian licence, report it to the office before using the document for another category. If your licence cannot be converted because of its issue date or category, ask which tests you need to obtain an Italian licence.

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