Quiz patente B by topic: what the 25 topics are and how to study them

The Ministero (Ministry) publishes the lists of exam questions for the AM, B, higher and CQC licences on the Portale dell'Automobilista (the Ministry's website for drivers). The lists are available in Italian, French and German.

The list for the A and B licences is split into 25 topics. This split is a help for studying. Instead of answering random questions, you can practise one topic at a time and see right away which subjects you know well and which ones you need to review. On PatenteInTasca you find explanations and practice material split by topic.

These topics cover the words of the road, the vehicles and all the types of signs.

• 1. Road definitions, classification of vehicles, duties of the driver: the meaning of the words used in the rules, the types of vehicles and the duties of the person driving.
• 2. Warning signs (segnali di pericolo): the signs that warn you of a danger on the road.
• 3. Prohibition signs (segnali di divieto): the signs that forbid something, for example entering a road.
• 4. Mandatory signs (segnali di obbligo): the signs that order you to do something.
• 5. Priority signs (segnali di precedenza): the signs that say who must go first.
• 6. Road markings (segnaletica orizzontale) and marks on obstacles: the markings painted on the asphalt and the marks that make obstacles visible.
• 7. Traffic lights and signals from traffic officers: the indications given by traffic lights and officers.
• 8. Information signs (segnali di indicazione): the signs that give useful information about the road and directions.
• 9. Complementary, temporary and roadworks signs: the signs that complete the other signs and those used at roadworks.
• 10. Supplementary panels: the panels that add information to a sign.

These topics cover how to behave when driving. Here you often find 2 words: carriageway (carreggiata), which is the part of the road where vehicles drive, and level crossing (passaggio a livello), which is the point where the road crosses the train tracks.

• 11. Speed limits, danger and obstruction, level crossings: the rules on speed and the behaviour at level crossings.
• 12. Safe distance: the distance to keep from other vehicles.
• 13. Rules of traffic, position on the carriageway, junctions, right of way: how to drive on the road and how to behave at junctions.
• 14. Examples of right of way at junctions: concrete examples of who goes first.
• 15. Rules on overtaking: the rules for passing another vehicle.
• 16. Stopping, parking, halting and starting off: the rules for stopping, leaving the vehicle standing and setting off again.
• 17. Motorways, carrying people, loads (carico) and towing: the rules for the motorway and for carrying people, loads and trailers (rimorchi).
• 18. Use of lights, sound devices, warning lights and symbols: how to use lights and sound devices, such as the horn, and how to read the vehicle's warning lights.
• 19. Seat belts, child restraint systems, helmet (casco): the devices that protect the people travelling.

These last topics cover documents, the safety of people and the vehicle.

• 20. Licences, vehicle documents, penalties, points licence (patente a punti): the documents you need to drive and the consequences of offences.
• 21. Preventing accidents and behaviour in case of an accident: how to avoid accidents and what to do if they happen.
• 22. Physical condition, alcohol, drugs, medicines, first aid: the health conditions of the driver and the basics of first aid.
• 23. Civil, criminal and administrative liability, insurance: the responsibilities of the driver and the vehicle's insurance.
• 24. Consumption, environment, pollution: the vehicle's consumption and its impact on the environment.
• 25. Parts of the vehicle, maintenance, stability: how the vehicle is built, how to keep it in good condition and why it stays stable.

You do not have to study the topics in order from 1 to 25. Many topics are linked to each other. Studying them in groups makes everything easier to remember.

• Signs: topics 2 to 10, with topic 1 as a base to understand the words used in the questions.
• Right of way and overtaking: topics 13, 14 and 15.
• Behaviour and safety: topics 11, 12, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21 and 22.
• Vehicle and documents: topics 20, 23, 24 and 25.

If a topic seems difficult, review the group it belongs to. Often the answer is in a nearby topic.

Quizzes by topic help you learn each subject well. The exam, however, mixes all the topics together. For the A1, A2, A, B1, B and BE licences, the theory exam is on a computer, with 30 statements that you answer True or False in 20 minutes. You pass with at most 3 wrong answers.

For this reason it is best to work in 2 steps. First practise topic by topic, until you feel sure about each one. Then move on to the full exam simulations, to get used to changing subject with every question and to managing your time. With PatenteInTasca you can do both: practise single topics and then try the simulations.