In my previous article, I mentioned that you can convert a foreign driver’s license to an Italian patente if your country has an agreement with the Italian government (conversione patente non comunitaria) and acquire it within one year from the date of your residency.
But what if you discovered this information a bit late? Is there still a chance to convert your driver’s license?
As I previously shared, my answer is yes. However, keep in mind that the process I’m about to describe isn’t a guaranteed solution for everyone. I always advise consulting your local motorizzazione for guidance.
Let’s start with the year I arrived in Italy: 2015. Unfortunately, I didn’t have my Philippine driver’s license at that time. Driving wasn’t a priority back home, and public transportation was readily available everywhere.
After three years in Italy and becoming a mother, I realized the importance of driving, especially since we lived in the province of Verona, far from the city center.
So to make the story short, we searched on the Internet if I could have an Italian driver’s license by taking an English version of a driving exam. Unfortunately, the only thing that we found is going to a driving school and taking an exam in Italian language. Language was a barrier for me as I was still learning Italian.
Then an idea came across to us from a friend of my husband, an Italian married to a Thai woman, who shared that his wife started driving in Italy using her Thai driver’s license despite living here for 10 years.
Inspired by this, we researched further and found information on the motorizzazione website. However, it mentioned a requirement: “The license holder must be a resident in Italy for not more than 4 years.”
I have been living for three years in Italy when we learned this information, also I didn’t even have my driver’s license as I mentioned above.
But because I was determined to have a driver’s license, I still persistently tried to search for more information about it.
After a lot of research that I had done, I got an idea. However, I was not sure if that would be possible.
My idea was, “If I cancel my residency in Italy and go back to my country and get a driver’s license there, is it still possible to convert it here?”
To get an answer to this idea, I sent an email to the local motorizzazione. After a month they responded: “Good morning. If the driver must obtain a driving license abroad, he must cancel his residency in Italy and have residency for at least 185 days in the foreign country where he wants to obtain a driving license.After the license is possible to request the conversion.”
This gave us hope, but we were uncertain about the procedure. Would my first residency or second residency be considered? To clarify, we visited the motorizzazione office. They confirmed the possibility and added that I didn’t need to stay abroad for 185 days. Once I had my license, I could return to Italy.
In January 2020, we traveled to the Philippines, and after 40 days, I obtained my Philippine driver’s license.
Upon returning to Italy in April 2020, I applied for new residency in my comune. We then translated and legalized my license at the Philippines consulate, obtained a marca bollo for €16, and registered it at the prefettura.
A crucial tip: when visiting the consulate for translation, bring your certificate of residency as proof of your new residency. If possible, bring correspondence with motorizzazione too. When I visited the Philippine consulate in Milan, they doubted the process. Luckily, I had printed the email from motorizzazione, which convinced them to proceed.
After securing the translated and legalized license, we scheduled an appointment with the motorizzazione in December 2020. We prepared the remaining documents, such as a medical certificate, completed form TT2112, and bought two marca di bollo.
After submitting my application for conversion, I waited five months to receive my license.
For more information on how I obtained my driver’s license in the Philippines and gathered all my documents, please watch my YouTube video below.
I hope sharing my experience helps you. Good luck on your journey!
IMPORTANT NOTE:
As of 2023, the Philippines Consulate in Milan advises all Filipinos living in Italy that they are still communicating with Italian authorities to resolve the issue regarding the conversion of Philippine driver’s licenses for new models. Before proceeding with this process, kindly inquire with your local motorizzazione or consulate to clarify this issue.
You might like to read:
Driving in Italy without undergoing an exam?
How to register your marriage in Italy?
