When I decided to get my Italian driving license as a privatista (a private applicant, without a driving school), I quickly discovered I needed to handle the medical certificate part on my own. This certificate – the certificato medico per patente – is an official document proving you meet the health requirements to drive. In this guide, I’ll walk you through why this medical exam is required, how I navigated the two-step process (getting an anamnestico from my doctor and then the official certificate from an authorized medical examiner), and how to find the right doctor anywhere in Italy. I’ll also share tips on what to bring, typical costs, and what you receive afterward, all in a friendly first-person tone. If you’re applying for a new Patente A or B as a privatista, this is for you! Let’s dive in.
Why a Medical Certificate is Required for the Patente
At first, I wondered why I had to go through a medical exam just to get a driver’s license. It turns out the requirement is rooted in safety and law. Italian law (Art. 119 of the Codice della Strada) requires that new drivers prove they are physically and mentally fit to drive safelyautoscout24.it. In plain terms, the medical certificate ensures you don’t have health conditions or substance dependencies that could make you a danger on the road – for example, it confirms you’re not dependent on alcohol or drugs and have no serious illnesses that would impair drivingrinnovopatenti.it. This isn’t just bureaucratic: it’s meant to keep all of us safer.
So, before you can even book the theory exam, you must obtain this certificate. Think of it as the state checking that your vision, hearing, and overall health meet the minimum standards for driving. It’s required for first-time license applicants (Patente A, B, etc.) – in fact, since 2010 Italy has made this step mandatory when getting your licenserinnovopatenti.it. (For license renewals, the process is a bit different – usually just a self-declaration or a simpler check – but for a new license you definitely need the full medical certificate.)
Step 1: Getting the Certificato Anamnestico from Your GP
The first step I learned about was obtaining a certificato anamnestico. This is basically a medical history report from your doctor (GP or medico di base) that you’ll need to show to the official examining doctor in step 2. The anamnestico lists any past or current conditions that might affect your ability to drive. It’s a way for your regular doctor, who knows your health, to signal “all clear” (or note issues) before you proceed to the actual license medical exam.
Here’s how I went about it:
- Make an appointment with your GP and tell them you need a “certificato anamnestico per patente”. My doctor was familiar with the request – it’s common for anyone getting a new license. During the visit, the doctor went over my medical history and asked if I had conditions like epilepsy, diabetes, heart issues, vision or hearing problems, psychiatric conditions, etc. (all the things that could impact safe driving). If you have any relevant medical records, bring them along. In my case, I didn’t have any serious conditions, so it was straightforward.
- What the anamnestico contains: It’s essentially a declaration that you have no conditions that would prevent you from driving safely. The doctor certifies that you don’t abuse alcohol or drugs and don’t suffer from major illnesses that make driving unsaferinnovopatenti.it. They’ll fill out a form with your personal details (name, DOB, etc.) and tick off those health checkboxes. It gets signed and stamped by the doctor.
- Cost: Don’t be surprised – this certificate isn’t free (since it’s not covered by the national health service). Doctors charge a fee for issuing it. In my experience, I paid around €50 to my GP. Costs can vary depending on the doctor and region – typically anywhere from about €40 up to €100autoscout24.it. (Some people go to an ASL medical office for it, which can be a bit cheaper, ~€40-80 in some regionsautoscout24.it, but I found my GP route easier even if it cost a bit more.) It’s wise to ask your doctor’s office in advance what their fee is for a “certificato anamnestico” so you’re prepared.
- Validity: The anamnestico expires after 3 months (90 days)rinnovopatenti.it. Mine had the date on it, and I was warned it’s only valid for 90 days. This is super important: don’t get it too early! You need to complete the next step (the official medical exam) before those 3 months are up, or else you’ll have to get a new anamnestico and pay again. I timed it so that I got the anamnestico just a couple of weeks before my scheduled appointment for the driving license medical exam.
- Tips: Make sure the doctor gives you the certificate on their official letterhead or form, with their stamp and signature. Also, check if you need to bring a marca da bollo (stamp duty) for this. Some doctors might require a €16 revenue stamp to affix on the certificate (mine included it in the fee, but it’s worth asking). If you have a particular medical condition (like diabetes), it could help to bring a note from a specialist. For example, diabetics often bring a specialist’s report as suggested by guidelinesrinnovopatenti.it. And obviously, bring your ID and health insurance card to the GP for the appointment.
After a quick exam and chat, I left my GP’s office with the anamnestico certificate in hand. Step 1 done! Now onto the bigger step.
Step 2: The Official Medical Exam with an Authorized Doctor (Medico ex Art. 119)
With the anamnestico ready, it was time for the official medical examination for the license. This must be done by a doctor authorized by law (ex art. 119 CdS) to issue driving license certificates. I’ll admit, this part was a bit confusing to figure out as a privatista, because I wasn’t going through a driving school that would normally arrange the doctor for you. Here’s how I navigated it:
A certified doctor signs the official medical certificate for my driving license. In Italy, only doctors authorized under Article 119 of the Highway Code can issue this certificate, so you need to find one of these “medici certificatori” in your areastudiomedicopatente.itstudiomedicopatente.it.
Finding an authorized doctor – The doctors who can perform the license medical exam include those from the ASL (local health authority), as well as certain military or police doctors, railway health service doctors, and other government medical officersstudiomedicopatente.it. In practice, many of these authorized doctors also offer their services through private clinics, driving schools, Automobile Club (ACI) offices, or “agenzie di pratiche auto” (auto paperwork agencies)studiomedicopatente.it. So, as a privatista, I had to find one of these. (More on how to search in your city in the next section – I’ll share my tips.)
Booking the exam – I found a local auto agency that advertised “visita medica per patente”. I gave them a call and confirmed they could do a conseguimento patente exam for someone getting a new license (not just renewals). They said yes – they had a certified doctor (medico autorizzato) coming in twice a week to conduct these exams. I booked an appointment for the next available slot. You might need to be a bit proactive here: some places accept walk-ins on certain days, while others require appointments. Also, don’t wait until the last minute – remember your anamnestico is ticking away with its 90-day validity.
What to bring to the exam: On the day of the exam, I came prepared. Here’s everything I needed:
- Certificato anamnestico from Step 1 (the original document my GP gave me).
- A photo ID (my passport/ID card) and my codice fiscale (tax code). The doctor needed my IDs to input my details into the system.
- Passport photos – I brought several passport-sized photos. One will be used for the medical certificate itself (it gets attached to the certificate and uploaded digitally), and you’ll need extra photos later for the license application. In my case, they asked for one photo for the certificate and recommended I have at least 2 additional photos for the motorizzazione paperwork. (The official list of required docs for privatista includes 1 photo for the certificate + 2 spare photos for the application6sicuro.it.)
- Marca da bollo (€16 stamp) – This is a tax stamp that must be applied to the medical certificate. I had purchased a €16 revenue stamp at a tobacco shop beforehand and brought it with me. (The agency also had some stamps on hand just in case.) The stamp is mandatory and was explicitly noted as required for the certificate6sicuro.it.
- Cash or payment for the exam fee – The medical exam itself isn’t free. The cost can vary: I paid €50 for the doctor’s visit (not including the stamp). Many places charge somewhere in the €30-60 range for the exam, plus the €16 stampfacile.it. If you go through a private clinic or agency, expect around €50-60 total. ASL offices might charge a bit less (sometimes a set fee like €20-30 plus the stamp), but it can depend. In any case, have some form of payment ready. In my case, the agency only took cash for the doctor’s fee.
The medical examination itself: Honestly, the exam was pretty quick and nothing to worry about. Here’s what happened:
- The doctor first reviewed my anamnestico certificate (to see my medical history as cleared by the GP). Make sure your anamnestico is still valid (within 3 months) – they will check the date. Mine was just a few weeks old, so all good.
- Vision test: I was asked to read an eye chart to verify my eyesight. You need at least 7/10 vision (which can be with corrective lenses – I wear glasses, so I did the test with and without them)facile.it. The doctor will determine if your vision meets the standard and if you’ll need a “requires corrective lenses” note.
- Hearing test: The doctor did a simple hearing check. In my case, he stood about 2 meters away and spoke at a normal volume to ensure I could hear and understand conversation at that distancefacile.it. It wasn’t an audio booth test or anything, just a practical check.
- General check: He also asked me a few general health questions (basically reconfirming what was in the anamnestico: “Do you have diabetes? Epilepsy? Any surgeries? Are you on medications?”, etc.). He took my blood pressure and had a quick look at overall responsiveness. This was all very routine.
- Reflexes/balance: In some exams, a quick reflex test or coordination test might be done. Mine was very basic – I didn’t even realize it happened; he kind of checked my eye movements and had me follow a light with my eyes.
- Overall, it felt similar to a regular checkup, with emphasis on eyesight and hearing, which are critical for driving.
Outcome of the exam: Good news – I passed the health requirements! If your tests show you meet the criteria, the doctor will issue the official medical certificate on the spot. In my case, since I wear glasses, the doctor noted that I am obligated to wear corrective lenses while driving (so my future license will have a code indicating I must use glasses/contacts)facile.it. This is common – if you need glasses to meet the vision standard, they’ll simply mark it as a requirement, not a failure.
If, however, a candidate doesn’t pass one of the health checks (say, serious hearing or vision issues that can’t be corrected, or other concerns), the doctor will not issue the certificate. Instead, you’d be referred to a “Commissione Medica Locale” (Local Medical Commission) for a more in-depth evaluationfacile.it. These commissions are panels of medical specialists that handle more complex cases (for example, people with certain disabilities or illnesses). Most healthy people won’t need this, but I mention it so you know the process: failing the first exam doesn’t mean you’re completely out – it means a specialized review is needed. For me (and most applicants), the one-time exam with the authorized doctor was sufficient.
The certificate and digital system: One thing that surprised me – the whole certificate process is now digital. As of a couple years ago, doctors submit your medical certificate electronically to the central system of the Ministry of Transportsicurauto.it. The doctor took the passport photo I brought and digitally attached it along with my info. At the end of the visit, he uploaded everything online: the certificate data, my photo, and his electronic signature, directly to the Ministry’s databasemotorizzazioneroma.eu. I didn’t walk away with the old-school paper certificate that you might imagine. Instead, the doctor gave me a printed receipt (with his stamp and a barcode/reference number on it). This receipt basically serves as proof that the certificate was issued and recorded in the system.
The receipt had a certificate ID number which the motorizzazione will use to verify my medical certificate electronically. It also showed my photo and noted the date of issue and that I was found fit for driving (and listed any conditions like the requirement to wear glasses). Importantly, the certificate doesn’t list any private health details – it’s just a confirmation of fitness with technical info, not your whole medical historysicurauto.it. The anamnestico from the GP stays with the doctor’s paperwork; the motorizzazione receives only the digital fitness certificate.
And that was it! The doctor wished me good luck on the license exams and I left with my certificato medico done. Mission accomplished.
Finding the Right Doctor Anywhere in Italy (My Tips)
If you’re wondering how to find an authorized driving-license doctor near you, you’re not alone – I found this part confusing at first. Unlike with a driving school (which schedules the medical exam for students automatically), as a privatista you have to track down a certified doctor yourself. Here are my tips to find one anywhere in Italy:
- Search online with the right keywords: I had success by Googling terms like “visita medica patente [Your City] privatista” or “certificato medico patente [City]”. For example, if you live in Milan you might search “visita medica patente Milano”, or for a smaller town, maybe “medico certificato patente [Town Name]”. Try variations with “conseguimento patente privatista” as well. In my case, searching brought up local driving schools and agenzie di pratiche auto that mention they offer the medical exam for licenses. Don’t be afraid to click those search results – many agencies have a section for rinnovo patente (renewals) which uses the same doctors, and often they handle conseguimento (new license exams) too if you ask.
- Check with your local ACI office: The Automobile Club d’Italia (ACI) in many provinces has services for licenses. Some larger ACI offices have a doctor on certain days for license renewals and might allow new license applicants to use the service as well. For example, in some places ACI organizes “rinnovo patente” events with a doctor (the same certificate works for new licenses). It’s worth calling your city’s ACI and asking “Come posso fare la visita medica per la patente da privatista?” – they might direct you to their next session or give you contacts.
- Contact driving schools: This might sound odd since you’re going privatista, but some driving schools will let non-students join their scheduled medical examination sessions for a fee. Driving schools are required to have a certified doctor visit periodically to examine their students (for both new licenses and renewals). I’ve heard of people who arranged with a local autoscuola to see the doctor during their session. You pay the fee (sometimes the autoscuola might add a small admin charge, which is fair) and you get the certificate done. It doesn’t mean you have to sign up for the school – just be upfront that you only need the medical exam. Not all schools do this, but it doesn’t hurt to inquire.
- Agenzie di pratiche auto (auto practices agencies): These are agencies that handle paperwork for car ownership, licenses, etc. Many of them offer patente renewal and medical exam services – and by extension, they can handle new-license medical certificates too, since it’s the same type of exam. I found my doctor through such an agency. They basically host an authorized doctor (medico ex art.119) a few times a week. Search for agencies in your area or check local directories. They often advertise things like “visite patente ogni martedì” or “medico per rinnovo/conseguimento patente in sede”. The convenience is great: they often take care of uploading the certificate and sometimes they can even help file your application with the motorizzazione for a fee (though I did that part myself).
- ASL (Public Health Authority): In every province, the local ASL usually has a Medicina Legale or Commissione Medica Locale office that deals with driving licenses. For standard cases, you might be able to book a visita per patente with an ASL doctor. This can be cheaper (since it’s public, fees are regulated), but the downside is that it might be slower to get an appointment and slightly more bureaucratic. Typically, you have to submit a request form, privacy consent, and pay a ticket fee at the ASLrinnovopatenti.it. I considered this, but in my city the next ASL appointment was a month away, whereas the private agency got me in the same week. If you’re not in a rush and want to save a bit of money, check the ASL website or office for “visita idoneità patente”. They will absolutely have authorized doctors – after all, ASL doctors are explicitly named in the law as examinersstudiomedicopatente.it.
- Use the official search tool: The Italian government has an online service to find authorized license doctors. On the Portale dell’Automobilista (an official DMV portal), there’s a feature called “Ricerca Medici Certificatori” which lets you search for approved doctors by locationilportaledellautomobilista.it. You can search by your city or ZIP code to get a list of nearby certified doctorsstudiomedicopatente.it. I tried it out of curiosity – it listed some ASL offices and a few individual doctors. The interface wasn’t the most user-friendly (and it seemed more geared towards renewal examiners), but it’s an option if you’re stuck. You might still end up calling those doctors to see how to book an appointment.
A general rule: make sure the doctor is truly “autorizzato ex art. 119 CdS”. When you find a lead (be it an agency, clinic, or individual), double-check by asking “Il medico è autorizzato per certificati medici per patente? (art.119)”. Usually, if they advertise the service, they are authorized. The phrase to look for is often “medico legale per patenti” or “ufficiale sanitario patenti”. In my experience, the providers were very familiar with what I needed when I mentioned I was getting a license as a privatista.
Wrapping Up: What Happens Next?
By the end of this process, I had: (1) my anamnestico from the GP, and (2) my official medical certificate (in digital form, with a receipt in hand). This cleared the biggest hurdle in the DIY license application process. With these in place, I was ready to submit my license application to the Motorizzazione.
Here’s a quick recap / final tips:
- Plan the medical steps early – Don’t wait until the last minute. Doctors might not be available on short notice, and remember the 90-day validity on your GP’s anamnestico.
- Have all your documents and photos prepared – It saves a ton of stress to gather your ID copies, photos, stamps, etc., beforehand. I laid mine out the night before the exam.
- Budget for the costs – In total, I spent around €100 for the medical certifications (GP + exam + stamp). Yours might be a bit less or more, but know that it’s a necessary investment. (This is on top of the other license fees like the bollettini for the Motorizzazione – those were about €26 + €16 + €166sicuro.it, which I paid at the post office separately.)
- Use local resources – Don’t be shy to ask around (even online forums or Facebook groups for expats/Italians in your area). That’s how I learned which agency in my city was popular for license exams. This guide you’re reading is exactly the kind of info I wish I had upfront!
- Stay calm during the exam – It’s not like a medical school physical or anything intense. The doctors are checking basic functions. Even if you’re a bit nervous, remind yourself it’s routine – they just want to ensure you can see, hear, and function well enough to drive.
After getting my certificate, I went on to fill out the application form (modulo TT2112) and submit all my documents to the Motorizzazione, kicking off the process for the theory exam. But that’s a story for another day! The main thing is, I successfully navigated the medical certificate requirement on my own, and you can too. It felt confusing at first, but hopefully, with this step-by-step recounting, you feel prepared to tackle it.
Good luck with your patente journey! If I did it as a privatista, so can you. With your medical certificate in hand, you’re one big step closer to that Italian driver’s license. 🚗💨
Sources:
- Italian Highway Code art.119 and guidelines on medical fitness autoscout24.itstudiomedicopatente.it
- Rinnovopatenti – Certificato anamnestico overview (cost, validity)autoscout24.itrinnovopatenti.it
- 6Sicuro – Patente privatista document checklist6sicuro.it
- Facile.it – Steps of visita medica (anamnestico, ASL exam, tests)facile.itfacile.it
- Sicurauto – Digital certificate (“certificato dematerializzato”) introductionsicurauto.it
- Studio Medico Patente – Authorized examiners and process (art.119 doctors, agency roles)studiomedicopatente.itstudiomedicopatente.it