https://feeds.thelocal.com/ Read the latest news and views from Italy in English en-us news@thelocal.com (TheLocal) webmaster@thelocal.com (TheLocal) TheLocal RSS Feed Even though getting a driver's license in Italy is a daunting challenge, readers say it's definitely doable if you prepare and study well. https://www.thelocal.it/20260504/how-to-study-for-your-italian-drivers-license-theory-exam Mon, 04 May 2026 13:20:31 +0200 how-to-study-for-your-italian-drivers-license-theory-exam From a doctor's certificate confirming your sanity to three years of zero-tolerance drinking rules, here's what surprised two readers who recently passed the Italian test. https://www.thelocal.it/20260424/what-nobody-tells-you-about-getting-a-driving-license-in-italy Fri, 24 Apr 2026 14:20:30 +0200 what-nobody-tells-you-about-getting-a-driving-license-in-italy As petrol and diesel prices continue to rise despite a government duty cut, on Thursday the industry minister demanded that oil companies must pass on savings to consumers. https://www.thelocal.it/20260410/why-fuel-prices-are-still-rising-despite-italys-tax-cut Fri, 10 Apr 2026 11:05:28 +0200 why-fuel-prices-are-still-rising-despite-italys-tax-cut With fuel prices still high in Italy, here are some practical ways for drivers to keep costs down. https://www.thelocal.it/20260410/how-and-where-to-find-the-cheapest-fuel-in-italy Fri, 10 Apr 2026 12:43:58 +0200 how-and-where-to-find-the-cheapest-fuel-in-italy War in the Middle East has caused energy market volatility around the globe, forcing governments in Europe to intervene and keep fuel costs down for consumers. https://www.thelocal.it/20260328/what-are-european-countries-doing-to-keep-fuel-costs-down Sat, 28 Mar 2026 14:13:15 +0100 what-are-european-countries-doing-to-keep-fuel-costs-down The cost of petrol or diesel at the pump is starting to drop from Thursday as new measures to control pricing kick in. Here are the details of Italy’s plan to limit the price shock. https://www.thelocal.it/20260320/what-italy-is-doing-to-push-down-the-price-of-fuel Fri, 20 Mar 2026 14:05:43 +0100 what-italy-is-doing-to-push-down-the-price-of-fuel Italy on Wednesday cut excise duties on fuel to help drivers cope with price spikes caused by the war in the Middle East. https://www.thelocal.it/20260319/italy-slashes-fuel-taxes-as-diesel-hits-e2-a-litre Thu, 19 Mar 2026 10:03:17 +0100 italy-slashes-fuel-taxes-as-diesel-hits-e2-a-litre Some of Italy’s international residents need to take an Italian driving test due to the absence of licence exchange agreements – but do you have to be able to drive a manual car to pass the road exam or is there an option for automatic vehicles? https://www.thelocal.it/20240916/can-you-only-take-italys-practical-driving-test-if-you-drive-a-manual-car Mon, 16 Sep 2024 10:54:02 +0200 can-you-only-take-italys-practical-driving-test-if-you-drive-a-manual-car With the expanding conflict between Iran and the US and Israel disrupting the global fuel trade, motorists in Italy are already taking a hit. https://www.thelocal.it/20260305/how-war-in-iran-is-driving-up-fuel-costs-in-italy Thu, 05 Mar 2026 13:21:07 +0100 how-war-in-iran-is-driving-up-fuel-costs-in-italy Whether you’re coming to Italy as a tourist or plan to stay for the longer term, will you be able to drive on your US license? https://www.thelocal.it/20260311/how-long-can-you-drive-on-a-us-license-in-italy Wed, 11 Mar 2026 16:34:47 +0100 how-long-can-you-drive-on-a-us-license-in-italy Bologna’s mayor on Wednesday said the city would maintain its 30km/h speed limit in spite of a regional court judgement against it following a petition by taxi drivers. https://www.thelocal.it/20260122/citta-30-bologna-to-keep-speed-limit-despite-court-ruling Thu, 22 Jan 2026 13:41:24 +0100 citta-30-bologna-to-keep-speed-limit-despite-court-ruling The Italian capital became the latest European city to restrict speeds to 30km/h in parts of the historic centre on Thursday amid efforts to improve road safety. https://www.thelocal.it/20260115/rome-brings-in-30km-h-speed-limit-in-city-centre Thu, 15 Jan 2026 10:51:53 +0100 rome-brings-in-30km-h-speed-limit-in-city-centre Higher motorway tolls and fuel prices are making it increasingly costly to drive on Italy’s roads. https://www.thelocal.it/20260114/why-its-getting-more-expensive-to-drive-in-italy-in-2026 Wed, 14 Jan 2026 13:12:01 +0100 why-its-getting-more-expensive-to-drive-in-italy-in-2026 From shifting fuel prices and motorway tolls to new speed limits and a clampdown on e-scooters, there's a lot that changes for motorists on Italy's roads in 2026. https://www.thelocal.it/20260112/everything-that-changes-for-drivers-in-italy-in-2026 Mon, 12 Jan 2026 13:58:13 +0100 everything-that-changes-for-drivers-in-italy-in-2026 New driving license rules rolled out by the European Commission have apparently already entered 'into force', but closer inspection reveals that they will take years to make it onto the roads. https://www.thelocal.it/20251129/why-will-new-eu-driving-licence-rules-take-4-years-to-come-into-force Sat, 29 Nov 2025 14:57:50 +0100 why-will-new-eu-driving-licence-rules-take-4-years-to-come-into-force Italian road rules require motorists in parts of the country to fit their vehicles with winter tires by November 15th. Here are the requirements (and penalties) for the cold season. https://www.thelocal.it/20221103/what-are-italys-rules-on-switching-to-winter-tires Thu, 03 Nov 2022 15:59:34 +0100 what-are-italys-rules-on-switching-to-winter-tires The European parliament has adopted a new law making EU-issued driving licences valid for just 15 years, requiring drivers undergo a medical test before renewing. https://www.thelocal.it/20251025/driving-in-europe-new-eu-law-to-require-medical-tests-and-end-licences-for-life Sat, 25 Oct 2025 09:40:21 +0200 driving-in-europe-new-eu-law-to-require-medical-tests-and-end-licences-for-life Italy is offering a grant or 'bonus' to help cover the costs of buying a new electric vehicle – but applicants will need to move fast. https://www.thelocal.it/20251015/how-to-apply-for-italys-electric-car-subsidy Wed, 15 Oct 2025 13:40:43 +0200 how-to-apply-for-italys-electric-car-subsidy It will be more difficult for drivers in Europe who committed serious traffic offences in another EU country to dodge a driving ban, as new rules adopted on Tuesday aim to ensure that disqualifications are recognised across the 27 member states. https://www.thelocal.it/20251021/this-will-save-lives-eu-adopts-new-rules-on-europe-wide-driving-bans Tue, 21 Oct 2025 18:10:23 +0200 this-will-save-lives-eu-adopts-new-rules-on-europe-wide-driving-bans If you spend extended periods of time in Italy, can you buy a car to use while in the country? It all depends on your residency status. https://www.thelocal.it/20220516/reader-question-can-i-buy-a-car-in-italy-if-im-not-a-resident Mon, 16 May 2022 17:58:47 +0200 reader-question-can-i-buy-a-car-in-italy-if-im-not-a-resident