If your Italian driving licence includes specific medical codes, you are legally required to wear glasses or contact lenses while behind the wheel. This guide breaks down Article 173 of the Codice della Strada to help you understand your obligations, the risks of non-compliance, and why proper vision correction is essential for both your safety and legal standing as a driver.
Article content overview
Operating a vehicle safely in Italy requires more than just mechanical skill; it demands full situational awareness, which is directly tied to your visual acuity. If your vision requires correction, the Italian Codice della Strada mandates that you address these requirements while behind the wheel. Failing to do so is not just a safety hazard—it is a clear violation of traffic law that can lead to significant administrative penalties and legal complications in the event of an incident.
According to Article 173 of the Italian Codice della Strada, any driver whose licence includes a medical requirement for corrective devices must use them at all times while driving. This is not a suggestion based on the weather, the time of day, or the type of road you are traveling on; it is a permanent condition of your driving licence. Whether you are driving on a quiet urban street, navigating a complex autostrada junction, or driving at night, your vision correction must be in place.
Many learners wrongly believe that glasses or contact lenses are only required during periods of low visibility, such as at night or in rain. This is a common exam trap. If your licence requires vision correction, you must use it regardless of external lighting conditions.
When you obtain or renew your Italian driving licence, the examining physician determines if you have any vision deficiencies. If you do, these are noted on the back of your card using specific European Union harmonized codes, typically found in field 12. You should inspect your licence to identify which "01" code applies to you:
| EU Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 01.01 | Use of glasses only |
| 01.02 | Use of contact lenses only |
| 01.06 | Use of glasses or contact lenses |
It is essential to understand that if you have been assigned these codes, driving without the appropriate corrective eyewear constitutes a breach of the traffic code. Law enforcement officers performing a routine check will look for these codes if they suspect your driving ability is impaired by poor vision, and they will verify your compliance immediately.
Driving without your prescribed corrective lenses is a serious offense in Italy. If you are stopped by the police and found to be in violation of your licence restrictions, you face an administrative fine ranging from €83 to €332. Beyond the immediate financial penalty, the consequences can extend further:
The Italian theory exam (the quiz ministeriale) frequently tests your knowledge of these obligations to ensure you understand the gravity of being a responsible driver. You may encounter questions that present various scenarios, such as whether it is acceptable to drive without lenses if the weather is clear or if you are only driving a short distance in the city. The answer to these questions is always consistent: if the obligation is on your licence, you must comply at all times.
Article 173 of the Codice della Strada requires drivers whose licences bear Code 01 to wear corrective lenses at all times while driving, regardless of weather or lighting conditions. The EU codes 01.01, 01.02, and 01.06 specify whether glasses, contact lenses, or either is permitted. Violations result in fines of €83–€332, a 5-point deduction, and potential insurance and legal complications in the event of an accident. The theory exam commonly tests whether candidates understand this is a permanent, unconditional obligation, making it a high-priority topic for revision.
A short set of high-value points that capture the most important ideas from this article.
Driving without mandatory corrective lenses violates Article 173 of the Codice della Strada regardless of road conditions or time of day.
The EU vision codes on your licence (field 12) permanently mandate your corrective eyewear requirement.
Non-compliance carries serious consequences: fines of €83–€332, loss of 5 driving licence points, and potential insurance and legal liability in accidents.
If you undergo corrective eye surgery, you must notify authorities to update or remove the Code 01 from your licence.
The theory exam tests whether you understand that the obligation applies at all times, not just in low-visibility conditions.
Article 173 Codice della Strada: mandatory corrective lenses are a permanent licence condition.
Code 01.01 = glasses only, 01.02 = contact lenses only, 01.06 = glasses or contact lenses.
The vision requirement applies on all roads—urban streets, autostrada, rural roads, day or night.
Carry a spare pair of glasses in the glovebox as a safety precaution.
Insurance coverage may be voided if you drive without required corrective lenses during an accident.
Believing corrective lenses are only necessary at night or in poor weather conditions—wrong for licence holders with Code 01.
Not checking the back of the licence to see which specific vision code applies.
Assuming the obligation ends after a certain distance or for short urban trips.
Forgetting that contact lenses are only acceptable if Code 01.02 or 01.06 is listed, not 01.01.
Overlooking the need to update licence codes after successful corrective eye surgery.
Article content overview
A short set of high-value points that capture the most important ideas from this article.
Driving without mandatory corrective lenses violates Article 173 of the Codice della Strada regardless of road conditions or time of day.
The EU vision codes on your licence (field 12) permanently mandate your corrective eyewear requirement.
Non-compliance carries serious consequences: fines of €83–€332, loss of 5 driving licence points, and potential insurance and legal liability in accidents.
If you undergo corrective eye surgery, you must notify authorities to update or remove the Code 01 from your licence.
The theory exam tests whether you understand that the obligation applies at all times, not just in low-visibility conditions.
Article 173 Codice della Strada: mandatory corrective lenses are a permanent licence condition.
Code 01.01 = glasses only, 01.02 = contact lenses only, 01.06 = glasses or contact lenses.
The vision requirement applies on all roads—urban streets, autostrada, rural roads, day or night.
Carry a spare pair of glasses in the glovebox as a safety precaution.
Insurance coverage may be voided if you drive without required corrective lenses during an accident.
Believing corrective lenses are only necessary at night or in poor weather conditions—wrong for licence holders with Code 01.
Not checking the back of the licence to see which specific vision code applies.
Assuming the obligation ends after a certain distance or for short urban trips.
Forgetting that contact lenses are only acceptable if Code 01.02 or 01.06 is listed, not 01.01.
Overlooking the need to update licence codes after successful corrective eye surgery.
Explore related topics, search based questions, and concepts that learners often look up when studying Corrective Lenses and Driving Laws. These themes reflect real search intent and help you understand how this topic connects to wider driving theory knowledge in Italy.
Find clear and practical answers to common questions learners often have about Corrective Lenses and Driving Laws. This section helps explain difficult points, remove confusion, and reinforce the key driving theory concepts that matter for learners in Italy.
You are required to wear corrective lenses if your driving licence features the EU harmonization code '01' in field 12, which indicates a mandatory requirement for vision correction.
Driving without prescribed corrective lenses is a violation of Article 173 of the Codice della Strada, which can result in administrative fines and a deduction of points from your driving licence.
No, this is a common misconception. If your licence contains the code '01', you must wear your corrective lenses at all times while driving, regardless of the time of day, weather conditions, or type of road.
Yes, you may use contact lenses provided they effectively correct your vision as required by your medical evaluation. If your licence specifies a restriction (such as 01.01 for glasses or 01.02 for contact lenses), you must adhere to that specific requirement.
Refine your search or explore related Italian driving theory articles to build a stronger foundation for your exam. Dive deeper into specific traffic regulations, road signs, and practical driving scenarios that are essential for passing your official licence test.