Guide to Driving in Italy

Hiring a car in Italy is probably the best way to make the most of the Italian countryside and mountain ranges. If you are planning to visit the big cities such as Rome, Florence or Milan, we advise that you park on the outskirts and use public transport. Always be very careful to leave your car in a correct parking zone as fines can be hefty and are often received months after the rental.

Road signs in Italy are not always well positioned, especially on the motorway where little prior notice is given for motorway exits. Some roads in Italy can be very rough; these are probably best avoided as damage to the underside of the vehicle is often not covered by the rental insurance. Driving off-road will always invalidate the insurance.

When driving in the winter, especially to mountain areas we recommend that you hire snow chains, even just as a precaution as the police may stop you from using certain roads if snow chains are not fitted. It is also very important to use winter fuel or a fuel additive; both prevent the fuel from freezing in extreme temperatures which could cause expensive damage to your vehicle.

Find out more about skiing in Italy, or read our Italy travel guide. You may also like to view information about destinations in Italy.

Essential Driving Information

• Seat Belts must be worn at all times in the front and rear of the vehicle.
• Traffic drives on the right here.
• The minimum driving age is 18.
• The blood alcohol limit is 50mg per 100 ml of blood. For those who have held a driving licence for less than 3 years and professional drivers the blood alcohol limit is nil.
• Children are only allowed in the front passenger seat if they are at least 12 years of age or they are in a suitable child restraint.
• The use of a mobile phone in a car is only allowed if you either have a hands free kit or headset.
• Parking is generally on the right hand side in Italy. Parking is in blue zones where a disc is often needed. These can generally be bought at Service Stations and operate in most towns.
• It is mandatory to use dipped headlights during the day outside built-up areas and during snow and rain or poor visibility.
• When in a tunnel, lights must be used.
• The speed limits are lowered by 20KPH in wet weather on both dual carriageways and motorways.
• The majority of motorways in Italy are toll roads.

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