Is it legal to drive with swiss student’s driving license in Italy?

Mindset · #1 30.03.2010, 20:08

Hi everyone,

I’m going to drive to Italy with my wife. She has valid swiss driving license, while I have only learner’s one. On my student’s license is written that I can drive accompanied by a person with more than 3 year of driving experience which is a fact in my case. But there’s no mentioning on international validity…

Can I drive with this student permit in Italy ? I’ve checked on admin.ch, ge.ch/san —no definite answer (((

Thanks in advance for help!

Longbyt · #2 30.03.2010, 20:17

You probably need to ask the Italians.

Mindset · #3 30.03.2010, 20:23

Italian laws would be a separate issue. The most important thing for me to know if swiss car insurance is valid in Italy for the person driving with swiss learner's license (accompanied by experienced driver)

StephenR · #4 31.03.2010, 11:16

You will be required to hold a full drivers licence in order to drive in Italy. As I understand it, a provisional/learners licence is only valid in the country of issue.

Shorrick Mk2 · #5 31.03.2010, 11:46

	Quote:	Mindset
	Italian laws would be a separate issue. The most important thing for me to know if swiss car insurance is valid in Italy for the person driving with swiss learner's license (accompanied by experienced driver)

Actually Italian laws are not a separate issue at all. Since Italian laws do not recognise foreign learners' licenses (as they are not a full blown license) you are then guilty of driving without a valid license, and you'll find 100% of insurers will deny coverage if you have an accident.

Not to mention the deep doo-doo you'll get in on the Italian side as well.

Mindset · #6 31.03.2010, 15:34

	Quote:	Shorrick Mk2
	Actually Italian laws are not a separate issue at all. Since Italian laws do not recognise foreign learners' licenses (as they are not a full blown license) you are then guilty of driving without a valid license, and you'll find 100% of insurers will deny coverage if you have an accident. Not to mention the deep doo-doo you'll get in on the Italian side as well.

Then I am a bit lost — my swiss insurance company just told me, that 3rd party insurance is valid for the car, irrespective of the person who's driving it. And it is valid abroad as well. The only caution here would be increased deductible for CASCO coverage, but it is not a big pain. Or does my insurance company bulls**t me?

StephenR · #7 31.03.2010, 15:50

As you are not legally allowed to drive in Italy due to the fact you don't hold a full licence, then the insurance side of things isn't really relevant.

Treverus · #8 31.03.2010, 15:54

	Quote:	Mindset
	Then I am a bit lost — my swiss insurance company just told me, that 3rd party insurance is valid for the car, irrespective of the person who's driving it. And it is valid abroad as well. The only caution here would be increased deductible for CASCO coverage, but it is not a big pain. Or does my insurance company bulls**t me?

Your insurer tells you 100% the truth, but should add that this person naturally needs to have a valid driving license. You do not, end of story.

annas · #9 31.03.2010, 16:12

	Quote:	Mindset
	I can drive accompanied by a person with more than 3 year of driving experience which is a fact in my case.

As Italian, I know for sure that we are not allowed to drive with an Italian temporary licence (called 'foglio rosa') abroad, so I guess it might be the same in your case.
But even if you're allowed, bear in mind that in Italy you can drive with a temporary licence only if accompanied by an instructor or a person holding a driving licence since 10 years at least.

Plau Deri · #10 31.03.2010, 17:26

I have tried to translate the German text from the "TCS FAQ" into my bad English:

	Quote:	Touring Club of Switzerland FAQ
	Driving abroad with a learners license? The learners license is not a drivers license under international law. It is, therefore, valid only in Switzerland. This applies to accompanied learning trips by car as well as to unaccompanied learning trips by motorcycle. The fact clearly derives from article 41 of the "Vienna Convention on Road Traffic", which Switzerland has ratified and set into force in 1992. If you still drive abroad with your learners license, you risk a lot. In case of an accident, you are not coverd by your insurance. Local authorities will classify this as driving without a valid license.

Source (in German)

Short answer; "no"

Mindset · #11 31.03.2010, 22:11

thanks to everyone for taking a time to answer!
Plau Deri: special thanks for legislative preciseness!