Motor Vehicles

Soldiers and dependents must have a SETAF license to register and drive a SETAF registered vehicle in Italy.
To drive a motorcycle overseas, Soldiers need an MFC Certificate and motorcycle endorsement on their U.S. license while dependents only need the endorsement.

Italian law requires that bicycles be equipped with the following: a bell, two independent braking systems, yellow reflectors fitted on the pedals, a white or yellow front light, a red tail light and reflector, and a seat if small children are carried. Bicycle riders have the same rights and responsibilities as other users of the road.

To drive in Italy, all Soldiers and Command Sponsored dependents are required to have a SETAF license. A SETAF license is not valid without a valid U.S. license. You must carry your U.S. license with your SETAF license. Only SETAF license holders are authorized to drive a SETAF registered vehicle. 

A maximum of 3 vehicle registrations is permitted per tour. For your primary vehicle, you won’t pay Italian road tax and you will be authorized tax-free fuel.
NOTE: You’ll pay annual registration and Italian road tax (100€-500€ based on engine & age) for any POVs beyond your primary vehicle.

Vehicles of all US/NATO personnel assigned to Italy must be registered with Armed Forces Italy license plates. A total of three vehicles are authorized during a tour (5 years). Exceptions can be requested on a case by case.

To register your POV, you must have:

• Form AESE-190-3C (POV Registration Application)
• Proof of insurance
• SETAF Drivers License
• ID Card
• Shipping Document
• Proof of ownership
• Copy of orders
• Logistical support letter
• Funds to cover the registration fee (75 USD and 5 EUR - Renewals 75 USD) and applicable road tax for a second vehicle to include motorcycles
• Additional Road Tax for second and third vehicles.

Automobile Insurance - Automobile insurance is mandatory. The rates for insurance vary depending upon the individual. Third party liability insurance is mandatory for all privately owned vehicles. No POV will be registered or operated, to include rented or borrowed vehicles, unless it is properly covered by insurance.

Members of the U.S. Forces (Army, Navy and Air Force) and the Civilians component (including Family Members) who are assigned, attached or employed with the USAG Italy area of responsibility are required to obtain a USASETAF Driver's License after arriving in Italy in order to operate any motor vehicle.

Vehicles of personnel assigned to Italy must be registered with Armed Forces Italy (AFI) license plates. A total of three vehicle are authorized during a tour of 5 years.  

Members of the U.S. Forces (Army, Navy, and Air Force) and the civilian component (including family members) who are assigned, attached or employed with the USASETAF Area of Responsibility are required to obtain a USASETAF Driver's License after arrival in Italy in order to operate any motor vehicles. Sponsors and family members 18 years (the legal driving age in Italy) or older must have a valid stateside or country driver's license in their possession to apply for a SETAF Driver's License, and it recommended that you renew your license prior to your PCS here. The application procedure requires you to:

• complete application forms
• attend a Drivers Orientation Brief
• pass a written test of 50 questions and 50 road signs in person or an online JKO exam of 300 total questions

Click to view the USAG Italy Driver Study Guide.

Motorcycles -- Individuals wishing to operate a motorcycle, moped or scooter during their tour must have a motorcycle endorsement or classification on their stateside or country license, possess a valid SETAF Driver's License and have a valid MSF card or attend a Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) course. The Basic Course is good for 1 year, Advance Course is good for 5 years. The Garrison Safety Office is the POC for Motor Cycle Safety.

Age requirement:

• Moped/Motorcycle up to 350cc: must be 18 years of age or older.
• 351cc and above: must be 21 years of age or older.

International Driver's License -- Because national requirements with respect to liability insurance, customs documents and drivers licenses vary and are subject to frequent change in several European countries, it is suggested that personnel who plan to travel outside Italy obtain an international driver's license or European Union Driver's License (Italia). Application for an international driver's license may be made by visiting any AAA Automobile Club Office or by accessing their website.

For those who wish to have an Italian European Union (EU) License, you can visit the Drivers Testing Office and start the process. You will need 2 passport size photos, your government ID Card, your USASETAF Driver's License, passport, Italian Codice Fiscale and approximately 270-300 Euros.

Italy has its own civil and penal codes. Disrespect or contempt toward an Italian police official is considered a serious offense. Italian authorities have primary jurisdiction over crimes committed off post by U.S. Forces personnel. Although the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) has specific provisions governing the exercise of criminal jurisdiction, family members and civilians should realize that while in Italy they are subject to the laws of Italy. Since family members and civilians are not subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice, they can only be tried in an Italian court for most offenses.

Your speedometer may register miles per hour only while speed limits in Europe are posted in kilometers (Km) per hour. One kilometer is approximately 5/8 of a mile.  (A quick conversion formula from kilometers (kph) to miles per hour (mph) is to multiply the number of kilometers by 6 and drop the last digit of the result. To convert mph to kph, divide miles by 6 and add a zero to the results.)

Personnel transferred from other European commands

Personnel transferring from other European Commands to Italy who have a valid drivers license issued by another U.S. Military Command in Europe will surrender their license to the Driver's Testing Station with seven (7) days of arrival, they will attend the Driver's Orientation Course in lieu of taking the written test and then be issued a USASETAF Driver's license.

Gasoline

Gasoline is rationed only for the primary vehicle. There is no additional fuel authorization for second or third vehicles. A valid registration and safety inspection allows personnel to purchase gasoline at a tax-free rate. Credit card is issue at the time of registration at the PX.

The cost of gas fluctuates, and prices are subject to change. Tax-free fuel is rationed, based on the engine size of your vehicle. A vehicle with an engine size of 1.3 to 2.8 liters is authorized 300 liters (79.25 gallons) of fuel per month. A vehicle with an engine size of over 2.8 liters is authorized 400 liters (105.6 gallons) per month. 

These prices are less than you would pay if you purchased gasoline without Special Credit card,  Unleaded gasoline costs on average 1.12 Euro per liter on the local economy in the Vicenza area, which is about $5.59 per gallon at current exchange rates.

Accidents

Accident rates are high in Italy. Europeans have different driving laws that are important to know when driving in Italy. Safety should never be taken for granted. Always wear your seatbelt. Child safety seats are required for children under 150 cm (4 ft, 9 inches) in height. In Italy, as in most European countries, mere negligence resulting in personal injuries or death constitutes a criminal offense, subject to prosecution under Italian Law, and punishable by fine or imprisonment. Punishments are especially severe for such offenses as improper passing, drunk driving, speeding and reckless driving.

Accidents involving injuries must be reported to police authorities immediately. Non-injury, property damage accidents must be reported within 72 hours. According to Italian Traffic Code, every driver involved in an accident that may have caused injuries or who comes upon an accident where injuries have resulted has two obligations:

• the obligation to stop
• the obligation to render aid to the victim and wait until relieved by local authorities. 

Implied Consent

Any person subject to USASETAF Regulation 190-2 or holding a USASETAF driver's license issued pursuant to this regulation are understood to have given their consent to chemical test for alcohol or other drugs on their breath or in their blood or urine if lawfully stopped, apprehended, or cited for any offense allegedly committed while driving or otherwise in physical control of a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicants.

Any persons who refuse to consent will receive an automatic, indefinite revocation of driving privileges. Consumption of alcoholic beverages by the driver following an accident is prohibited, until initial investigation is complete and all parties have been released by authorities.