Regulations regarding driving entitlements for people with disabilities in Italy, governed by legislative Decree n. 285/1992 and the Decree of the President of the Republic No. 495/1992.

Individuals with disabilities can obtain special driving license categories if they meet the prerequisites for the intended category. Functional limitations recognized under the Codice della Strada include hearing, limbs, spine, and somatic conformation or development. Specific hearing requirements are outlined for different license categories, with allowances for hearing aids. Limb efficiency for driving must be assessed without the use of prostheses or orthoses, although their use is allowed if they do not impair movement strength or speed. Special adaptations to vehicles or commands may be necessary for severe handicaps. Prostheses used for driving must be noted on the license and certified for efficiency by the manufacturer, with the prohibition of using them to operate the brake pedal.

Specific Features and Adjustments: Special driving licenses are tailored to accommodate specific features related to the disability, which are indicated on the license itself. Adjustments are made based on directives to enable local medical commissions to issue suitability certificates for driving.

License Categories and Testing: Different categories of special licenses (e.g., AM, A1, A2, A for mopeds and motorcycles; B1, B for cars and quadricycles; D1, D1E, D, DE for minibuses and buses) have specific requirements. Candidates for certain categories, such as B1 and B, must pass specific tests.

Driving Privileges: Holders of special category B licenses are allowed to drive cars towing trailers within certain weight limits.

Restrictions on Driving: Individuals with disabilities cannot obtain the Driver Qualification Card for transporting people and are restricted from driving certain vehicles such as ambulances, vehicles for dangerous goods transport, and vehicles for scheduled transport services.

Indications on Licenses: Special licenses include indications in code format specifying any necessary vehicle adaptations or prostheses required for driving. This allows drivers to operate vehicles with the appropriate modifications or adaptations as needed.

EU/EEA Driving Licenses: Driving licenses issued by EU or EEA member states are considered equivalent to corresponding Italian licenses, regardless of whether they comply with EU rules.

Non-EU/EEA Driving Licenses: Individuals holding driving licenses from non-EU/EEA countries can drive in Italy under certain conditions:

They have not been residents in Italy for over a year.
They possess a national driving license that conforms to international conventions recognized by Italy.
If their national license does not comply with these conventions, they must have an international driving license or permit, or an official translation of their license into Italian.

Requirement of Limited Motor Skills: The use of the special authorization is dependent upon demonstrating limited motor skills, particularly affecting the lower limbs.

Eligibility Criteria: While primarily intended for those with lower limb impairments, the authorization may also be granted to individuals with severe cognitive impairment or other medical conditions causing difficulty in traveling long distances on foot, as determined by medical examiners.

Exclusion of Certain Disabilities: Physically disabled individuals with impairments not affecting walking ability (e.g., upper limb paralysis) are generally ineligible for this authorization, even if they are legally recognized as disabled by medical commissions.

On street,

In municipal car parks

Free parking on-street,

Free parking in municipal car parks,

Extended time limit for on-street parking
Prohibition in Removal Areas: Parking of vehicles with a disability parking card is prohibited in areas designated for vehicle removal.

Exceptions for cases of obstruction or danger: While vehicles with a disability mark cannot be removed or blocked in these areas unless they pose a serious hindrance or danger, such actions must be justified based on current traffic conditions. Merely having a sign indicating removal is not sufficient grounds for presumption.

Handling of Vehicles in Case of Hindrance or Danger: If a vehicle with a disability mark does create a serious hindrance or danger, it must be moved to the nearest location where it does not obstruct traffic. It cannot be blocked, and administrative sanctions may still apply.

For more information on parking concessions, please click here – https://www.ilportaledellautomobilista.it/web/portale-automobilista/-/c…

Further information on parking concessions can be found here – http://www.aci.it/i-servizi/per-la-mobilita/aci-per-il-sociale/contrass…

And here – https://www.disabili.com/mobilita-auto/speciali-mobilita-a-auto/guida-a…

Special Authorization Mark: Disabled individuals with limited movement or vision impairment must possess a special authorization, indicated by a disable parking card. This card must be displayed prominently on the front windshield of the vehicle used by the authorized person.

Recognition of Parking Card: Parking cards for disabled individuals are recognized if they comply with the EU model. If the card does not adhere to this standard, it is advisable to inquire with the Italian Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport.

Additional Proof for Visitors with Disabilities: If the parking card complies with the EU model, no further proof of eligibility is required. However, visitors with disabilities should carry any relevant documents or certifications that demonstrate their disability status, especially if their parking card does not comply with the EU model.

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Name of Department/Ministry: Ministry of infrastructure and transport

Name of section responsible: Directorate General for Road Safety

email address for queries: dg.sicurezzastradale@mit.gov.it

phone number for queries: +39 06/4158.6236 – 6296 – 6297

website(s): http://trasparenza.mit.gov.it/index.php?id_oggetto=13&id_cat=-1&id_doc=…

At major airports,

At city centre hire car outlets,

Other (please specify):

Major Railway stations

Name of ministry: ministry of infrastructure and transport

Name of section responsible: Department of transport, shipping, general affairs and staff

email address for queries: dtt.segr@mit.gov.it

phone number for queries: +39 06/4158.6662 – 6661

website(s): http://trasparenza.mit.gov.it/archivio13_struttureorganizzative_-1_1430…