The Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport (MIT) has officially opened the public consultation phase on the draft New Road Code 2026, sending the base text to over one hundred operators and sector associations to collect comments by September 13, 2026.
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The document, promoted by Minister Matteo Salvini, aims to redesign Italian mobility by introducing strong simplifications, protections for vulnerable subjects, and a restructuring of the sanctioning system. The institutional deadline for the Government to exercise the delegated law is set for October 14, 2026, by which date the draft must be finalized before final approval.
Below are analyzed the main innovations contained in the provisional text of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport.
Innovations for licenses and new drivers
License B and C at 17 years: the possibility of obtaining the driving license at 17 years is introduced, allowing minors to drive if accompanied by an adult. Exam and learner’s permit: the process for license B provides for an increase in mandatory driving hours from 6 to 8. The use of the learner’s permit for private practice will be allowed only after completing all certified driving lessons at the driving school.
Special rules also for the over 85s
The new Road Code introduces limits for drivers over 85, but a Medical Commission can evaluate possible exemptions. The text, still being defined, provides three clear limits for those over 85: no highway driving, zero alcohol, and a limit of 100 km from their residence. A turning point designed to increase road safety, also prompted by a series of accidents recently involving elderly drivers.
Revolution in fines and digital notifications
Progressive sanctions: goodbye to fixed and disproportionate rates. Fines for speeding will be calculated “km/h by km/h” beyond the established limit, making them fairer.
Reduced notification times: the maximum deadline for notification of reports detected by remote devices (such as speed cameras) drastically drops from 90 to 30 days.
Destination of proceeds: 70% of the funds collected from fines will go to the road-owning entity for investments in road safety, while the remaining 30% will remain with the enforcing entity to cover control costs.
Backtrack on mandatory PEC: following initial hypotheses to impose a digital domicile to renew the license or carry out the inspection, the MIT has officially confirmed that the PEC obligation will not be included in the final text.
Traffic rules and Highways
Overtaking on the right: on highways and expressways with at least three lanes per direction, parallel lane circulation is introduced. It will therefore be lawful to overtake on the right vehicles that improperly occupy the central or left lanes, provided you stay in your own lane. Emergency lane for motorcycles: in the presence of heavy slowdowns or accidents on the highway, motorcyclists will be able to travel on the emergency lane at low speed, always ensuring space for emergency vehicles.
Safety and vulnerable vehicles
Crackdown on uninsured vehicles: for those driving without RCA coverage, immediate vehicle seizure is provided.
Fast electric bicycles: the draft provides for the introduction of a helmet and identification tag (license plate) obligation for high-performance two-wheelers (the so-called super-bikes).
