We know it exists, but do we know how it works? The points-based driving license system was introduced in Italy in July 2003 and complements the penalties already provided for by the Highway Code.
Each license is assigned an initial score of 20 points, which are reduced each time a serious traffic violation is committed. Article 126 bis of the Highway Code outlines the point system and related offenses. For each violation, we can know in advance how many license points we will lose; this ranges from a minimum of 1 to a maximum of 10 points.
Example: anyone caught driving without a seatbelt will pay a fine and also have 5 license points deducted. What violations "cost" 10 points? Let's look at some. Driving while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs; exceeding the speed limit by more than 60 km/h; overtaking in dangerous situations; fleeing after a serious accident.
In the infringement report, officers specify the number of points deducted, communicating it to the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport.
An appeal against the deduction of license points can be filed with the prefect or the justice of the peace, within sixty and thirty days respectively from the notification of the report. Once the indicated period for appeal has passed, the MIT definitively records the point reduction and sends communication to the offender, indicating the methods for recovering points.
How is the "balance" of license points checked? No more letters sent home by the Motorizzazione Civile. Following a very recent change in law, checking is only possible through the Portale dell’Automobilista (the MIT's service and information portal), accessible with SPID, or by downloading the free iPatente app.
