Increases for exam fees and more mandatory driving hours, with an additional expense of over 300 euros in the coming months. Meanwhile, Brussels opens up driving licenses at the age of 17
You will spend more to get your license. The first increases will take place on November 1st and the others (probably) in January, with the increase in mandatory driving for taking the exam. An increase of 300 euros and above is estimated. Meanwhile, an epochal reform arrives from the European Union: driving license at 17 years and new rules on renewals
More expensive driving license from November 1st: the first increases start
The first increases established by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport will start on November 1st. After almost forty years, the legislation regulating the rates of driving examiners is being revised and a new fixed fee for “missions”, i.e. practical test sessions, comes into force. Until now, examiners were paid based on the kilometers driven between their premises and the driving school. From November 1st, however, the amount will be the same for everyone: 275 euros for each exam session (100 euros reimbursement of expenses and 175 euros overtime). Each “mission” includes on average 6-7 candidates, for an estimated additional cost of 10-15 euros each. Furthermore, in January 2026, a new interministerial decree will also increase the rights of the Motor Vehicle Authority, with a further increase of a few euros for those who have to take the exams to get a driving licence.
The end result? Obtaining a B license will cost at least 20 euros more than today, with variations depending on the city and the rates that each driving school can set.
From January more mandatory driving hours: from six to eight
And there is also just around the corner the increase in mandatory certified driving hours: from the current six we will go to eight. This is established by the new Highway Code and its entry into force is expected shortly, we are talking about January 2026. Certified driving is done with an authorized instructor and a car with dual controls. They are done on the motorway or main extra-urban roads, secondary roads and night driving. The rates applied by the driving schools are free and range from 40 to 60 euros per hour. The increase will therefore bring the minimum expenditure for compulsory lessons from around 300 euros to over 400 euros.
The news from Europe: driving license at 17 years of age, more frequent renewals and more severe tests
Meanwhile, the European Parliament has approved two directives that bring major changes. First of all, the possibility of obtaining a driving license at the age of 17. Young people will be able to drive, but only accompanied by an experienced driver until they reach the age of 18. The exams will be more complete and up-to-date, with questions dedicated to the risks of cell phone use, blind spots, driver assistance systems and the safety of pedestrians and cyclists. For new drivers there is a probationary period of at least two years, with more severe sanctions in case of violations such as speeding or driving while intoxicated. The duration of the car and motorbike license will also change and will be 15 years, which can be reduced to 10 years in member states, such as Italy, where the document also serves as an identity card. The European directives will be published in the Official Journal of the European Union and from that moment the technical timeframes will begin: three years for transposition by individual countries and a further year for full implementation. This means that in Italy the new rules, including the 17-year-old driving license, could become operational between the end of 2028 and the beginning of 2029.
