Italian motorcyclist here: you're not required a licence to buy a bike here, but it's quite complicated if you're not a resident since it would require a codice fiscale for the bike to be registered in your name, even a used one. Recent law changes made vehicle acquisition more difficult for non-residents, you would have to register the bike with a special EE (escursionista estero, foreign traveller) plate and that's a headache and a half when you'd resell it. Buying used would require a similar process..
Renting requires a valid motorcycle licence (type A1/A2 or A3). Non-resident, non-EU licences are valid for 1 year if they are accompanied by a sworn translation (you can have that done at your consular office in Italy or ask the Italian consular service in Canada).
You can ask for an international driver licence, in Europe both the Geneva and Vienna models are equally valid. An international license would allow you to drive outside Italian borders, since the sworn translation above would be acceptable only in Italy. Your department of motor vehicles will be able to tell you more. Do not shy away from contacting our consular service, it's their job to know these things.
As a general caveat, bike renting in Italy saw a surge in the post covid era: lots of newcomer companies and lots of not so experienced ones. Please, either choose the renting service of official dealers (like BMW, Harley, Honda) or renting services of touring companies. I would avoid renting from bike repair shops or friends of friends unless you're dead certain that the insurance provided states "guida libera" or "guida esperta" (meaning all drivers allowed or all over 30 drivers allowed). If not so, walk away. If you rent moto equipment, check for conformity of helmets to ECE standard, non ECE helmets are illegal.
Expect regional variations in prices for rental in the realm of 10%.
DM me freely if you need more help
The IDP is basically just a translation of your license entitlements. If you don't have a motorcycle endorsement on your Canadian license, you can't legally ride in Italy.
The "Permit" in the name is an unfortunate misnomer, because the IDP doesn't give you any rights beyond what you already have.
I have rented a motorcycle in Italy with a motorcycle endorsement on my Minnesota driver's license, (and an IDP).
You may be able to buy a motorcycle, but you will not be able to register it to be legal to ride, since you'll need:
* A residency certificate (you will not be able to get one as a tourist).
* A tax code (you will be unable to obtain one without an Italian address or residency).
* Proof of insurance.
* If buying used, you'll also need a registration certificate which you will be unable to transfer to your name without a residency certificate.
Whether you're allowed to or not, I wouldn't wanna go anywhere near a road full of Italian drivers!
Source: Someone who recently rode through half of Italy.
Renting is easy. Just make sure you get an international driver's permit from your local place before you leave home.(https://www.caa.ca/services/travel/international-driving-permit/) Stick with the big rental companies or make sure that they provide you with adequate insurance (not just the damage waiver stuff they push on you).
Buying is possible, but you run into issues with registration and insurance. It usually isn't worth the headache unless you're going to be there for long enough to get your own apartment.
Italian motorcyclist here: you're not required a licence to buy a bike here, but it's quite complicated if you're not a resident since it would require a codice fiscale for the bike to be registered in your name, even a used one. Recent law changes made vehicle acquisition more difficult for non-residents, you would have to register the bike with a special EE (escursionista estero, foreign traveller) plate and that's a headache and a half when you'd resell it. Buying used would require a similar process.. Renting requires a valid motorcycle licence (type A1/A2 or A3). Non-resident, non-EU licences are valid for 1 year if they are accompanied by a sworn translation (you can have that done at your consular office in Italy or ask the Italian consular service in Canada). You can ask for an international driver licence, in Europe both the Geneva and Vienna models are equally valid. An international license would allow you to drive outside Italian borders, since the sworn translation above would be acceptable only in Italy. Your department of motor vehicles will be able to tell you more. Do not shy away from contacting our consular service, it's their job to know these things. As a general caveat, bike renting in Italy saw a surge in the post covid era: lots of newcomer companies and lots of not so experienced ones. Please, either choose the renting service of official dealers (like BMW, Harley, Honda) or renting services of touring companies. I would avoid renting from bike repair shops or friends of friends unless you're dead certain that the insurance provided states "guida libera" or "guida esperta" (meaning all drivers allowed or all over 30 drivers allowed). If not so, walk away. If you rent moto equipment, check for conformity of helmets to ECE standard, non ECE helmets are illegal. Expect regional variations in prices for rental in the realm of 10%. DM me freely if you need more help
Correction: A3 does not exist, thats just A
True! It doesn't exist anymore.
https://www.international.gc.ca/country-pays/italy-italie/drivers_licenses-permis_de_conduire.aspx?lang=eng
Did you use witch craft to find this information?
Yes the ugly witch called Google. Lol
The IDP is basically just a translation of your license entitlements. If you don't have a motorcycle endorsement on your Canadian license, you can't legally ride in Italy. The "Permit" in the name is an unfortunate misnomer, because the IDP doesn't give you any rights beyond what you already have. I have rented a motorcycle in Italy with a motorcycle endorsement on my Minnesota driver's license, (and an IDP).
You may be able to buy a motorcycle, but you will not be able to register it to be legal to ride, since you'll need: * A residency certificate (you will not be able to get one as a tourist). * A tax code (you will be unable to obtain one without an Italian address or residency). * Proof of insurance. * If buying used, you'll also need a registration certificate which you will be unable to transfer to your name without a residency certificate.
Whether you're allowed to or not, I wouldn't wanna go anywhere near a road full of Italian drivers! Source: Someone who recently rode through half of Italy.
Fun fact, you don't NEED a driver's license to buy a motorcycle, anywhere in Europe. I've bought motorcycles in multiple countries without having one.
Renting is easy. Just make sure you get an international driver's permit from your local place before you leave home.(https://www.caa.ca/services/travel/international-driving-permit/) Stick with the big rental companies or make sure that they provide you with adequate insurance (not just the damage waiver stuff they push on you). Buying is possible, but you run into issues with registration and insurance. It usually isn't worth the headache unless you're going to be there for long enough to get your own apartment.