ROME – The new Highway Code, which will come into effect on Saturday 14 December, includes many new features on the driving license. Above all, as an accessory measure linked to the loss of points, a short suspension of the driver’s license is established, which can be ordered from 7 days to a maximum of 15 days, except for those with less than 20 points. on thier license and in the event of certain serious breaches.It is indeed also vital to lower the minimum age for driving buses and public transport in Italy from 21 to 18. A measure that many will turn up their noses at, but which has been waiting for a long time in the transport world due to the shortage of drivers . There is a restriction rather for new drivers, who will not be able to drive more powerful cars for the first 3 years, while the previous limit was 1 year, and for circulation with the Pink Leaf, which can only be done only after doing exercises. on the motorway or extra-urban roads and in night vision conditions.
Short suspension
the rule only applies to drivers who have less than 20 points on their driving license and who, if they commit serious offences, will suffer not only an additional deduction of points and payment of a fine but also a short suspension of their licence. This suspension, which starts from the first infringement, will be ordered for 7 days if the driver has a score lower than 20 points at the time of the assessment but at least equal to 10 and for 15 days if less than 10 the driver. points. The suspension is doubled when the driver has an accident, even if there are no people or objects other than the driver and his vehicle involved. To introduce this new measure, a new section, 218-ter, has been added to the Highway Code, which lists all the violations that will trigger the short-term suspension of the driver’s license. Here are some of them: failure to use a seat belt, child seats or anti-abandonment devices, use of the telephone while driving, failure to wear a helmet, highway code violations such as failure to display prohibited or no overtaking signs, failure to obey traffic lights, driving facing traffic, failure to yield, overtaking on the right and U-turning at intersections, bends or speed bumps. the license will be withdrawn and suspended automatically only in cases of dispute on the road and in case of dispute thereafter the rule will not apply. Not even if the driver is identified.
New drivers
The time limit will be increased in… to 3 years, instead of one year newly licensed drivers will not be able to drive the most powerful cars, ie M1 category cars. But the specific power is increased, which goes from the current 55 kW/t to 75 kW/t. Thus, for the first three years, new drivers will not be able to drive vehicles (in general) with a power of more than 75 kW/t. e cars with a maximum power of 105 kW (142 HP), instead of 70 kW.
Pink Sheet
Those who have received it, will be able to practice with anyone who has the necessary requirements on their side only after carrying out exercises on the motorway or extra-urban roads and in night vision conditions, with a qualified instructor authorized by . driving school. The driving school will only issue a specific certificate after a minimum number of hours of practice, which must be established by the ministry of Transport, which the applicant for the driving license must always have with him. Anyone who does not have a certificate risks being fined between 430 and 1,731 euros, a penalty that will also apply to the person acting as an instructor.
Driving buses at 18 years old
The minimum age to drive buses and public transport in Italy is reduced from 21 to 18. Provided that “the driver has the appropriate professional license obtained after a qualification course lasting 280 hours and passing the relevant exam”. It’s a long-awaited novelty in the transport world due to the driver shortage and was also approved by the European Parliament in February as part of the reform of EU rules on driving licences. in particular, eighteen-year-olds are expected to be able to drive the two vehicles that require a D licence, ie buses for the transport of people with more than 9 seats, including the seat of the driver, and vehicles that require a license. licence, ie by a tractor that falls under category D and by a trailer that exceeds its maximum authorized mass of 750 kg. most importantly, these vehicles are intended for scheduled services of no more than 50 kilometres. if you exceed this mileage limit, however, the minimum age to drive these vehicles (D and DE) will increase from 18 to 20 years. On obtaining the D1 driving licence, eighteen year olds will be able to drive minibuses, vehicles limited in size to 8 meters in length and having more than 8 seats, in addition to the driver’s seat , but less than that.16. If a trailer is then added to the minibus with a maximum authorized mass of more than 750 kg, the license required is the D1E.
– What are the key changes in Italy’s new Highway Code set to take effect in December 2023?
Title: Navigating Change: an Interview on Italy’s New Highway Code
Interviewer (Time.news Editor): Welcome, and thank you for joining us today! We’re here to discuss the significant changes coming with the new Highway Code in Italy, set to take effect on December 14. With us is Dr.Luca Ferri, a transportation expert and professor at the University of rome. Dr. Ferri, it’s great to have you here!
Dr. Luca Ferri: Thank you for having me! It’s a pleasure to discuss these important changes.
Editor: Let’s dive right in. One of the key features of the new Highway Code is the introduction of a short suspension of a driver’s license connected to point losses. Can you explain how this will work for drivers?
Dr. Ferri: Certainly! Under the new rules, if a driver accumulates serious violations and has fewer than 20 points on their license, they will face a temporary suspension. This can last from 7 to 15 days, depending on their point total. For instance, a driver with between 10 and 20 points will face a 7-day suspension, while those with fewer than 10 points will see a 15-day suspension. This aims to reinforce accountability among drivers.
Editor: That’s an interesting approach. How do you think this will impact driver behavior on the roads?
Dr. Ferri: The hope is that by introducing this suspension as a consequence of point deductions, drivers may be more cautious and adhere to traffic laws. It could serve as a wake-up call for many who might or else take risks, as the suspension emphasizes the seriousness of their actions beyond just financial penalties.
Editor: Another major change is lowering the minimum age for driving buses and public transport from 21 to 18. What are your thoughts on this change, especially considering the ongoing driver shortages?
Dr. Ferri: This is indeed a significant shift and one that has been long anticipated in the transportation sector. By allowing those as young as 18 to drive buses, we can tap into a younger workforce. It’s a controversial area,as some people worry about safety and experience,but the reality is that many young people are responsible motorists.Given the chronic shortage of drivers, this could alleviate some pressure on the sector.
editor: Some may express concern over this reduction in age—do you think it will face public backlash?
Dr. Ferri: I expect there will be mixed reactions. While some people may worry about safety, I believe it’s crucial to also consider the larger context—there’s a pressing need for drivers, and many other regions have successfully implemented similar policies. This could potentially lead to more job opportunities for young adults while also addressing the pressing demand in public transport.
Editor: What about the new restrictions imposed on new drivers, specifically regarding the type of vehicles they can operate?
Dr. Ferri: Yes, under the new guidelines, new drivers will be restricted from driving more powerful vehicles for the first three years. This is an extension of the previous year’s limitation and aims to ensure that novice drivers gain experience in less demanding situations before transitioning to high-powered vehicles. The goal is to enhance road safety for everyone by ensuring that new drivers are adequately prepared for the responsibilities.
Editor: And we can’t ignore the changes related to the ‘Pink Leaf’ or the provisional license. How will these changes impact new drivers?
Dr. Ferri: The regulation that requires new drivers to undertake exercises on motorways, extra-urban roads, and under night vision conditions before they’re allowed to drive unaccompanied is a crucial measure.This additional training aims to equip drivers with practical skills and enhance their confidence. The more practical experience they gain, the better prepared they’ll be to handle various driving situations.
Editor: This new Highway code certainly proposes a shift in the driving landscape in Italy. What is your overall perspective on these changes?
Dr. Ferri: while some adjustments might meet opposition, I believe the overall framework aims to create safer roadways, ensure responsible driving, and address the staffing shortages in public transport. It demonstrates a proactive move toward modernizing our driving laws to better reflect current needs and safety standards.
Editor: Thank you, Dr.Ferri,for your insightful perspectives on these important changes. It will be interesting to see how these regulations unfold in practice come December 14!
Dr. Ferri: Thank you for having me! I look forward to seeing how these changes impact driving in Italy.
Editor: Absolutely. Cheers to safer and more efficient roads in the future!