New driver limits: speed, power, alcohol and points in the first 3 years

The general speed limits are 130 km/h on the motorway, 110 km/h on the main extra-urban roads, 90 km/h on the secondary and local extra-urban roads and 50 km/h in built-up areas (centri abitati). In built-up areas you can go up to 70 km/h where the signs allow it. With rain or snow, the general limits drop to 110 km/h on the motorway and 90 km/h on the main extra-urban roads.

For new licence holders, the Codice della strada (Highway Code), art. 117, sets lower limits. In the first 3 years after the A2, A, B1 or B licence, you cannot exceed 100 km/h on the motorway and 90 km/h on the main extra-urban roads. When you review, always compare the general limit with the limit for new licence holders.

In the first 3 years after the patente B, you cannot drive cars with a specific power, in relation to the unladen weight (tara), above 75 kW/t. In simple words, power alone does not count: its ratio to the unladen weight of the car counts too.

For cars of category M1, including electric or plug-in hybrid ones, the limit of 105 kW also applies. The limit does not apply if, next to you, there is an instructor aged no more than 65 who has had the licence for at least 10 years. Before you use a new car, pay attention to the power and the documents of the car. If you have doubts, choose a car that is clearly within the limits.

The Codice della strada, art. 186-bis, says that people under 21, people in the first 3 years after the patente B and people who drive for work carrying people or goods cannot drive after drinking alcohol.

For a new licence holder, the simplest choice is this: if you drive, do not drink. If you plan to drink, first arrange a way home where you are not the one driving.

When it is issued, the licence has 20 points. The offences listed in the law take points away. For several offences found at the same time, at most 15 points are taken away, except in cases of suspension or revocation. Whoever loses all the points must take the fitness exam again.

After 2 years without offences that take points away, you go back to the starting score of 20. Whoever has at least 20 points receives 2 more points every 2 years without offences, up to a maximum credit of 10 points. In this way, the points licence rewards people who drive without offences.

Study one topic at a time: first the speed limits, then the power, then alcohol and finally the points. For each topic, repeat the rule with its numbers out loud, because in the exam the details matter.

On PatenteInTasca you find explanations, practice and exam simulations to practise these topics. When you get a question wrong, go back to the rule and ask yourself if it applies to all drivers or only to new licence holders.