Let's Talk About Driving School in Italy

It's been a year since I was in driving school in Italy, so I think I've adequately recovered from the experience enough to write about it!

First, the Rules

America is one of a few countries that don't have an agreement about converting an American driver's license (called a patente) into an Italian one. There are rumors one will come along, but knowing how Italian bureaucracy works, I won't hold my breath.

Likely there's no agreement because the Italian driving exam is much more in-depth than what we have in America.

Anyway, you can drive in Italy for one year upon arrival, as long as you've got your International Driving License (yes, that $20 investment at AAA is actually good for something!). After that, if you get pulled over, you'll get a hefty fine. And they do pull people over here!

To get an Italian driver's license, you have to go to driving school. It doesn't matter if you've been driving for 30 years. You still have to go!

What Italian Driving School is Like

I absolutely lucked out because there's a driving school instructor in Soverato who's fluent in English. Yes, I speak Italian, but the exam has TONS of unfamiliar words. He was so helpful at explaining things and helping us memorize new words.

Because...you can't take the test in English. Just in case you hoped you could. You can't.

We assembled a group of three expats (one from Ukraine, one from South Africa, and me) who spoke English for our class. We met three days a week for two or three hours.

It took six months to get through the material, factoring in the instructor's many, many smoke and coffee breaks.

The exam covers road signs, as you'd expect, but also things you wouldn't expect like:

• Details about 18-wheelers and big commercial trucks

• How to attach a hook

• The mechanisms of a brake

That's why it takes so long to get through. Throughout the six months, we took practice tests over the material we'd covered. It became second nature for me to take a quiz while standing in line at the grocery store.

The Italian Theory Test for Your License

Once our instructor thought I was ready (the other two kinda fell off during this period), we scheduled my exam at the local testing center.

I took the test with about 30 other people, mostly 20somethings. Each desk was spaced out far enough that you couldn't copy. But also the computers had an eye-tracking tool that would freeze the exam if you turned your head or shifted your eyes too much. I was frozen in place the entire time!

There are 30 questions on the exam, and you can miss up to three. Yes. Three. Lucky for me I studied so much because I aced it!

NOW You Drive

It's not until after you pass the written test that you start driving. I had I think nine hours of drive time with an instructor. He'd tell me to turn here or do a U-turn. He'd scold me when I removed one hand when turning the wheel (dude. I've been driving for decades. I GOT this!). Generally, I felt like he treated me like a teenager, and I left fuming after our sessions.

The day of the driving exam came. There were three 20somethings taking the test with me, and I was last. As each came back looking relieved because they passed, I knew I had nothing to worry about (you never know!).

I made a boo-boo when parallel parking. I maneuvered back and forth a few times to get it right. The exam proctor said that technically I was supposed to do it in one go (who on EARTH does in real life??). But he let it slide.

And so, 20 intense minutes later, I'd been approved for my driver's license in Italy!

I signed a few papers and had my patente in my hot little hands. Whew!

All in, I spent about €600 for the driving school, exam, and license.

My Advice for Getting Your Italian Patente

I waited a year before starting school, so technically, I was driving illegally while I was in school. I recommend starting the process no later than six months after you arrive. That way, if it takes you six months, you're good. It may take longer, especially if you're not fluent in Italian.

Look for a school that has an instructor that speaks English if you can find one.

Take copious notes. For me, it was a strange feeling to be back in school. I wrote everything down and then took practice quizzes every single day. It was soul-sucking, but now all that hard work has paid off.

Take it seriously. Even if you're in a room full of teenagers. Because having your patente gives you power in Italy. You can buy a car and you can explore this wonderful country without relying on others. This is especially important if you're moving to a more remote area (like Calabria) where buses and trains don't take you everywhere.

Be patient with yourself. It's frustrating to not get things you think you should, but remember that you're doing them in another language. You'll get it, piano, piano.