The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Italian government have signed an agreement on the mutual recognition and exchange of driver's licenses.

The department of international cooperation and European integration of Ukraine's Interior Ministry reported that an intergovernmental agreement was signed with the aim of ensuring the rights of citizens of both countries who chose the territory of the other party as their place of residence.

"First of all, the agreement is intended to ensure the rights of Ukrainian citizens who permanently or temporarily reside in the territory of the Italian Republic. After the signing of the agreement, citizens of Ukraine will be able to obtain an Italian driver's license without passing the exams (theoretical and practical) and, as a consequence, without any financial cost," the ministry said.

The report adds that before signing this agreement citizens of Ukraine, using a national driver's license, had the right to drive vehicles for no more than one year from the date of the registration of their place of residence in Italy. After the expiration of that period, Ukrainians who wished to continue driving in Italy were obliged to obtain an Italian driver's license. The implementation of such a procedure includes theoretical and practical exams and the payment of appropriate costs.