Clarification from the Italian Ministry of the Interior: BE license and restrictions for novice drivers (Art. 117 CdS)
Official letter from Dipartimento della Pubblica Sicurezza (Direzione Centrale Polizia Stradale) dated 16.06.2023 (Prot. 300/STRAD/1/0000020144.U/2023) regarding the interpretation of Art. 117, paragraph 2-bis of the Codice della Strada concerning the BE license.
About this document
An official letter of the Public Security Department of the Italian Interior Ministry (road police) from June 2023 clarifying Article 117 of the Codice della Strada as applied to category BE licenses. Article 117 imposes restrictions on new drivers (neopatentati): for the first three years, reduced speed limits on motorways and main extra-urban roads, and for category B in the first year, a ban on high-power cars. The ministry concludes that a BE holder may drive category B vehicles without these restrictions, since BE is an autonomous category distinct from B under the European directive. The clarification matters for newcomers converting foreign licenses: it helps determine whether the neopatentati regime applies to you.
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How to use it
If you hold category BE and the police or an insurer treats you as a neopatentato, cite this letter and its protocol number - it explicitly lifts the Article 117 restrictions for BE. Also useful in disputes about speed limits after license conversion. The document can be viewed page by page in the protected viewer.
Why you need it
Clarifies whether restrictions for novice drivers (neopatentati) apply to holders of the BE license, which is relevant for immigrants converting foreign licenses to Italian ones.
Key information
- Art. 117 CdS contains two restrictions for neopatentati (first 3 years): categories A2, A, B1, B - speed limit of 100 km/h on autostrada, 90 km/h on extra-urban main roads.
- Additionally for category B (only the first year): prohibition to drive vehicles with a power-to-weight ratio >55 kW/t (or >70 kW total power for vehicles with internal combustion engines).
- The provision of Art. 117 applies exclusively to category B licenses - there are no restrictions for higher categories.
- Ministry of the Interior conclusion: a holder of the BE license is entitled to drive vehicles requiring a B license without restrictions of Art. 117, paragraph 2-bis, since category BE is autonomous and distinct from B (Directive 2006/126/CE).
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- Screenshot of the CertificaTO portal: ordering certificato storico di Residenza with marca da bollo
- Composition of the accounting service for Partita IVA: FlexSuite and income declaration (step 05-06)
A real document from community materials. Not legal advice - verify the official blank and current requirements on the authority site (esteri.it, interno.gov.it, portaleimmigrazione.it, questure.poliziadistato.it).