Driving licence to rent a car in Italy: when you need an International Driving Permit

With a licence from an EU or EEA country, your licence is enough. With a licence from another country you also need an International Driving Permit (IDP) or an official Italian translation, valid until you have been resident in Italy for more than a year; driving without one can cost a fine of €408 to €1,634 (Italian Highway Code, art. 135).

Official sources read on October 18, 2026.

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Country by country

Licence from	What you need	Details
European Union and EEA	Licence is enough	Your valid licence is enough.Source: Your Europe (Commissione europea)
Switzerland	Licence is enough	For short stays the Swiss licence is enough.Source: Consolato d'Italia a Basilea
United Kingdom	Depends on the licence	With a photocard licence the UK government says no IDP is needed; with an old paper licence you need the 1968 IDP. The Italian ministry's page asks all non-EU licences for an IDP or translation: having one avoids disputes.Source: GOV.UK, Driving abroad
United States	Licence + IDP or translation	US licence with an IDP, to get before leaving, or with an official Italian translation.Source: U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Italy
Canada	Licence + IDP or translation	Canadian licence with an IDP or a certified Italian translation, for up to a year.Source: Government of Canada, Travel advice: Italy
Australia	Licence + IDP or translation	Australian licence with an IDP or an official translation.Source: Australian Embassy, Rome
Brazil	Licence + IDP or translation	Brazilian licence (CNH) with an international permit or a translation.Source: Ambasciata d'Italia a Brasilia
Argentina	Licence + IDP or translation	You need an IDP or an official translation; Argentina is party only to the 1949 Geneva Convention, so the permit is that model.Source: Nazioni Unite, Convenzione sulla circolazione stradale (Ginevra 1949)
Morocco	Licence is enough	Under the bilateral agreement the Moroccan licence is enough, for up to a year's stay.Source: Ambasciata d'Italia a Rabat
China	Licence + IDP or translation	Original licence with a notarial deed and Italian translation: China is not party to the International Driving Permit conventions.Source: Ambasciata d'Italia a Pechino
Japan	Licence + IDP or translation	Japanese licence with the international permit issued in Japan (1949 model, valid one year).Source: Ambasciata del Giappone in Italia
India	Licence + IDP or translation	Indian licence with the international permit issued in India to residents.Source: Parivahan Sewa, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (India)

The rules

EU and EEA licences count the same as Italian licences.Source: Codice della Strada, art. 136-bis
With a licence from outside the EU and EEA you may drive until you have been resident in Italy for more than a year.Source: Codice della Strada, art. 135
Together with the licence you need an International Driving Permit or an official Italian translation.Source: Codice della Strada, art. 135
The International Driving Permit is issued in the country that issued your licence, not in Italy.Source: Codice della Strada, art. 135
There are two International Driving Permit models: Geneva 1949, valid for 1 year, and Vienna 1968, valid for 3 years.Source: Ministero delle Infrastrutture e dei Trasporti, Permesso internazionale di guida
To drive a car (category B) in Italy you must be 18; at the desk the rental company may require a higher minimum age and years of licence: check the offer's conditions.Source: Codice della Strada, art. 115

Frequently asked questions

Do I need an International Driving Permit to rent a car in Italy?

Only if your licence is not from an EU or EEA country: then Italian law requires an IDP or an official translation (art. 135). The rental company may ask for it at the desk.

Can I rent a car in Italy with a UK licence?

Yes. With a photocard licence the UK government says no IDP is needed; with a paper licence you need the 1968 IDP. Since the Italian ministry's page asks it of all non-EU licences, having one avoids disputes.

Can I rent a car in Italy with a US licence?

Yes, with an International Driving Permit obtained in the US before leaving or with an official Italian translation, as the US Embassy states.

What is the fine for driving without an International Driving Permit?

€408 to €1,634 for driving with a non-EU licence without an IDP or translation (Italian Highway Code, art. 135).