Obtaining a driver's license in Italy has become increasingly complicated. This is supported by data from the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, which shows a 26.71% failure rate in 2025, the highest since 2009. Almost one in every four candidates who took over 2.3 million exams failed to obtain a driver's license. The theory exam is the most significant, with a failure rate of approximately 38%, whereas the practical test has a failure rate of only 14.6%.
The historical parallel is considerably more important. In 2006, there were roughly 362,000 B driving license failures; by 2025, that figure had risen to over 484,000, representing a 33.5% increase. Demographic inequalities are also notable: women are often better prepared in theory but struggle more in the practical exam. The increased presence of international candidates, who frequently face language barriers, also plays a role. Geographically, Italy is viewed as "upside down": the south experiences fewer failures than the north. Regions like Sicily and Puglia have much higher pass rates than Sardinia and Liguria. Despite the challenges, Generation Z continues to try: over 70% of driving licenses are awarded to people under the age of 24, indicating that earning a driver's license is still an important step, even if it is becoming less related to turning 18.