Motor vehicles

Special driving licenses for motor vehicles are issued to people who, due to the loss of a limb or part of a limb, or a physical or sensory impairment, require technical adaptations to their vehicle or prostheses in order to drive safely and become independent. 


These adaptations are required by the local medical board after an examination to assess their physical and mental fitness, in cases of new issuance or renewal of a driving license, and are reported on the driving license, or the provisional license, with harmonised EU codes, i.e. national codes established by the Department for Transport, Navigation and Information and the statistical systems.


Individuals who develop a disability after obtaining a driving license, they can no longer drive with their current license and must undergo a specific medical examination. Only once they have been assessed as fit to drive can they obtain a special license that takes their new physical condition into account, ensuring their right to drive safely.

Rules
The relevant rules are contained in the New Highway Code (Legislative Decree 285/1992, as amended) and its implementation and enforcement regulations (Legislative Decree 495/1992). These rules apply both to the issuing and renewal of special driving licences, as well as to reassessment procedures. 

Types of special licences 

The Highway Code sets out the types and specific characteristics of vehicles that can be driven with the relevant special license:

Special A license
For driving all motorcycles with a total mass of up to 1.3 tonnes
Special B license
For driving motor vehicles, excluding motorcycles, and motor vehicles with a total mass not exceeding 3.5 tonnes and carrying a maximum of 9 people including the driver
Special C license
For driving motor vehicles with the same weight and use restrictions that apply to the corresponding ordinary categories for transporting goods
Special D license
For driving motor vehicles with a maximum seating capacity of 17, including the driver.
How to apply for a special license

How to obtain the special license 

The application process for obtaining a special driving license is outlined below.

 

  1. The first step is to contact your ASL and request an appointment with the medical board. At this stage, you will need to present a medical certificate detailing your disability and its impact.
  2. The medical board will then assess your physical and mental condition to determine whether you are fit to drive and, if necessary, which adaptations you need to make to your vehicle, if any, or which limitations must apply to your license. This applies whether you are a first-time applicant or already hold a driving license. Additional paperwork may be requested during the examination. 
    Disabled persons may be assisted during the assessment procedure by a physician of their choice, at their own expense, or accompanied by an expert designated by a disabled people’s organisation (Law 114/2014).
  3. If you are found to be fit to drive, the board will issue a medical certificate detailing any necessary vehicle adjustments. 

Validity and renewal of special licences

Special licenses are generally valid for five years, but the duration may be shorter under certain circumstances, depending on the evaluation of the local medical board (CML).


The board is responsible for renewing special licenses and may:

  • renew the driving license at the same conditions
  • renew the license by requiring further adaptations to the vehicle
  • withdraw the driving license.

The renewal procedure depends on how stable your condition is.

Unstable or worsening conditions
Your license can only be renewed by the local medical board based on an assessment, similar to that carried out for the initial issue. If necessary, the board will issue a new medical certificate for the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (Motorizzazione Civile)
Stable conditions
Your license can be renewed by a single physician, who may extend the validity period