How to Get a Category AM Driving Licence in Vatican City?

Vatican City’s AM license is issued exclusively to citizens and residents of the Vatican itself, a genuinely restrictive scope reflecting the microstate’s tiny population of under 1,000, most of whom are adult clergy, Swiss Guard members, and Holy See staff rather than teenagers. This piece covers what AM authorizes, the Vatican’s own Foglio Rosa process, and how it connects to Italy’s system next door.

What category does AM cover?

AM authorizes ciclomotori (mopeds), two- or three-wheeled vehicles up to 50 cc and 45 km/h, and light quadricycles, following the same technical specifications used across Italy and the wider EU.

Minimum age

Following the Italian model, the Vatican closely mirrors; AM is available from 14, though EU-wide recognition for riding a moped generally applies from 16.

Who can actually apply

This is genuinely important to understand. The Registro Veicoli Vaticani (RVV, Vatican Vehicle Registry) issues driving licenses exclusively to citizens and residents of Vatican City State, not to visitors, tourists, or the general public. Given that the Vatican’s population consists overwhelmingly of adult clergy, Swiss Guard members, and Holy See staff, genuine AM applications from teenagers are vanishingly rare in practice.

The application process

Citizens and residents can sit the theory exam for a driving qualification in the Vatican, receiving a Foglio Rosa (learner’s permit), just as in Italy, which allows them to prepare for the practical exam under the certification of the assigned engineer at the Registry.

The theory exam

Following the Italian format that the Vatican mirrors, the theory exam is a computerized true/false quiz with 30 questions, completed within 25 minutes, covering danger and priority signs, prohibition and obligation signs, right-of-way rules, road behavior, accident causes and procedures, moped components and their use, helmet use, psychophysical conditions for riding, and basic moped mechanics.

The practical exam

The practical exam has two phases: maneuvers in a dedicated area, varying by vehicle type (two-wheeled, three-wheeled, or light quadricycle), followed by an assessment of your riding ability in real traffic, which lasts around 25 minutes. The Foglio Rosa is valid for six months, and you can’t attempt the practical exam until at least one month after it’s issued, giving you two attempts within that window.

Historical vehicle registration

Historically, mopeds in the Vatican were registered with plates the same way larger motorcycles were, unlike in Italy at the time, where mopeds didn’t carry individual plates, a genuine quirk of the Vatican’s own vehicle registration history dating back to its 1930 establishment.

Converting your license to or from Italy

Licenses from around the world can be converted to Vatican equivalents through the RVV. To drive your Vatican license in Italy or abroad, it must be accompanied by an International Driving Permit, valid for two years, both issued by the Secretary General of the Governorate.

Automatic transmission

As with the Italian system it closely mirrors, testing on an automatic-transmission moped in the Vatican typically restricts the resulting license to automatic machines only.

Who administers this

The Registro Veicoli Vaticani, established under Pontifical Law No. II of 7 June 1929 on citizenship and residence handles vehicle registration, license issuance and renewal, and road tax collection, functions broadly similar to Italy’s own vehicle registry (PRA).

Validity

Vatican driving licenses follow validity periods generally consistent with the Italian model, subject to periodic medical fitness requirements as riders age.

Tips that actually help

• Confirm your eligibility as a genuine Vatican citizen or resident before assuming you can apply for a Vatican AM license.
• If you’re not eligible for a Vatican license, an Italian AM license remains the practical route for riding in and around the surrounding area.
• Keep track of your Foglio Rosa’s six-month validity window and the one-month wait before your first practical attempt.
• Remember you’ll need an International Driving Permit alongside your Vatican license to ride in Italy or elsewhere.

Where does this fit going forward?

AM in Vatican City is genuinely a niche process, reflecting the microstate’s small, largely adult population, but it follows a structured system closely modeled on Italy’s. If your plans extend toward professional driving down the line, take a look at the driver section, browse current vacancies, or see who’s hiring among employers on FastDriver.eu, alongside our broader job guides. Our driving license in Vatican City and license eligibility pages provide the broader picture.

Declaration

This article is provided for general information only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. Fees, training requirements, and administrative rules can change and may vary by case in Vatican City. Always confirm current requirements with the official Vatican sources before making decisions: Vatican City State. FastDriver.eu accepts no liability for decisions made based on this information.