Reader question: How do I renew my Italian driver's licence?

Once you've done the work of getting your Italian driver's licence, renewing it is relatively straightforward - but you'll still want to make sure you have everything ready to go to so the process is as smooth as possible.

How often do I need to renew my licence?

The rules depend on the class of licence and the age, and sometimes health, of the driver.

A or B class driving licences, which allow the holder to drive cars, mopeds and motorcycles, need to be renewed:

• Every ten years up to the age of 50.
• Every five years between the ages of 50 and 70.
• Every three years between the ages of 70 and 80.
• Every two years after the age of 80.

People who have epilepsy or have ever had a seizure must complete a medical examination every two years to retain their licence; this does not apply to drivers who have gone ten years without a seizure.

Drivers with diabetes also need to undergo semi-regular medical exams to keep hold of their licence - in this case the required frequency is determined by the doctors conducting the exams.

What do I need to do?

You'll need to renew your permit at your local transport ministry office, the Ufficio della Motorizzazione Civile, often known simply as the motorizazzione, which is the Italian equivalent of the DMV in the US or the DVLA in the UK.

There’s usually at least one of these offices in every town. You can find a list of locations on the ministry’s website.

READ ALSO: What you’ll need to do if you bring a car to Italy from another country

While the rules can vary somewhat by office, to renew your licence you will usually need:

• Your expiring driver's licence.
• A valid identity document, such as your Italian carta d'identita (ID card) or passport (take photocopies in case you need to hand them over).
• Your Italian tax code (codice fiscale). This can be found on your carta d'identita or Italian health card (tessera sanitaria).
• Two passport photos.

These payments can be made at the motorizazzione office, at a post office, or online, using Italy's PagoPa system for official payments.

What happens next?

Once you have these documents ready, the next step is to book a medical exam.

The exam can be arranged through your local health authority office (Azienda Sanitaria Locale, or Asl), through the motorizazzione office, or by a driving school.

READ ALSO: PagoPA: How to use Italy's official system for paying taxes and fees

You will need to bring all the items listed above to your doctor's appointment. They will review your documents and test your sight, hearing and general physical fitness.

When do I get my new licence?

Here the advice differs depending on who you listen to.

Some guides say that your licence will be issued automatically following your medical check up; others that you need to take your medical certificate, along with all the other documents listed above, to your local motorizazzione office in order for them to send off for your licence.

Ask your doctor at the time of the check up which applies in your case, and whether or not you need to make the additional visit to the motorizazzione.

A carabinieri police officer checks a driving licence. Photo: Miguel MEDINA / AFP

Once the motorizazzione has confirmed that the application process is complete, the licence will be prepared by the transport ministry and sent either to the office or to your home address.

Your licence should be delivered within a couple of weeks of sending off for it.

If you haven't received anything once this period is up, you can call the transport ministry toll free on +39 800232323 or the Italian Postal Service toll free on +39 800979416 (this last number can only be reached via landline) for information about its status.

When should I start the process of renewing my licence?

You can start applying for a new licence within four months of the expiry date of your current licence.

Italian bureaucratic processes can take some time, so it's recommended to start the application process as soon as possible once you enter the four-month window.

Please note that the costs and exact details of the renewal process can vary by Italian region and motorizazzione office. This article is intended as a general guide only.