The Ministry of the Interior issued the clarification following years of conflicting interpretations of Article 115 of the Italian Highway Code. The measure affects thousands of professional drivers who operate vehicles weighing more than 20 tonnes.
Until the age of 68, drivers may continue to operate these vehicles only if they hold an annual medical certificate confirming both physical and mental fitness. The certificate—issued by the Local Medical Commission—must be kept in the vehicle together with the driver’s licence and the CQC (Italy’s professional competence qualification for commercial drivers).
The rule applies only to drivers residing in Italy and holding an Italian licence. Non-resident drivers with foreign licences are not affected.
The Ministry’s note, issued in agreement with the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport and backed by a 2011 ruling of the Council of State, also clarifies that the medical certificate becomes invalid the day after the driver turns 68. At that point, professional driving of heavy vehicles must cease.
According to the Ministry, this clarification provides transport companies with the regulatory certainty needed to plan shift rotations, staffing, and driver substitutions without risking compliance issues during roadside checks.
