If you’ve chosen Italy as your next travel destination and plan on driving while you’re there, it’s important to be fully prepared ahead of time. This article will give you an overview of the rules and documentation you need when driving in Italy.
Everything you need to drive in Italy
Before you head off on your vacation or business trip in Italy, make sure you have examined all the rules and requirements necessary to drive a car.
Documents & car equipment
In order to drive in Italy, you will need to have the following documents with you:
- Valid driver’s license, and its translation in Italian
- Valid passport (or National ID for EU citizens)
In addition to that documentation, you should have the following safety items with you in the car (rental cars should be equipped with these items as standard):
- Warning triangle
- High-visibility jacket
- Headlight beam deflectors (if you can’t adjust the beam manually, you will need deflector stickers)
Renting a car in Italy
Renting a car in Italy functions a lot like in other European countries. Learn what you need to know to get the most out of your rental experience in Italy.
What do you need to rent a car in Italy?
The minimum age to rent a car in Italy is 18, though some agencies might set a higher minimum age of 21. Drivers under 25 might also encounter additional restrictions.
You need to have a valid driver’s license. In some cases, you also might need to have had it for at least a year or two. You will be asked to show a Proof of ID such as your passport or a European national ID card. Most companies will also require a credit card for the deposit, but there are some agencies that will accept debit cards. It’s important to check in advance with your rental car company on this point.
A Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) as part of your rental is a requirement to drive any car in Italy.
Tips for hiring a car in Italy
In Italy most cars typically have manual transmission (stick shift), however, if you prefer to drive an automatic, make sure to specify this when you book. If you are booking your rental car in Italy online prior to your trip, it is best to include a CDW (Collision Damage Waiver), as this is a requirement and buying it upon pick-up can often cost you a lot more.
When you pick up your rental, make sure you inspect it closely and note every mark on it in the provided form before you drive off. When you bring it back, take good photos inside and out as proof of the car’s condition upon return. If you need to bring the car back with a full tank, make sure you refill it at the gas station nearest to the return location, as even minimal amounts of missing fuel could incur charges.
Don’t cross borders in Europe without first informing the rental company. If you are heading into a non-EU country, they might need to prepare additional documentation for you, and you will need to have the insurance coverage in all the locations you’ll be visiting.
Is it a good idea to rent a car in Italy?
Hiring a car in Italy can definitely save you some trouble. The car will be equipped with mandatory items such as a warning triangle and reflective jacket. If you opt for the complete insurance, all damages will be covered by the company.
Rules of the road in Italy
When driving in Italy, you'll naturally need to pay attention to the rules, some of which differ from those in the US. Keep reading to learn everything about Italian driving rules.
Limited traffic or pedestrian zones (ZTL)
ZTL zones, also called “Zona Traffico Limitato,” are inner-city zones that have restricted access to non-residents at certain hours of the day. These are not locked zones and it is easy to drive through a ZTL area, but there are cameras which document every car that enters. Watch out for the flashing screen that says “ZTL Attiva,” which indicates that the restriction is currently active and you should not enter. In addition to ZTLs, some streets have been marked as "Area Pedonale,” which means a pedestrian zone. In these areas, all vehicles are restricted from entering.
Highways & toll roads
A toll fee is required on some highways in Italy. The majority of toll roads can be found in the north of the country; some of the most popular routes include the A1, which crosses the country from Milan to the north to Naples in the south, and the A4, which links Turin in the north-west with Trieste in the north-east. You can pay the toll in cash to a teller, or automatically via a machine. Both credit and debit cards are also accepted when paying through the machine.
Right of way & roundabouts
When entering a roundabout in Italy, you have to give way to drivers on your left and to any cars that are already on the roundabout. You don’t have to indicate upon entering the roundabout, but it is always a good idea to indicate when you’re exiting.
Child seat regulations
If you are driving a local rental car, you must adhere to local laws which are as follows: infants up to 9lbs (around 4kg) must be placed in a rear-facing child seat, children weighing up to 48.5lbs (around 20kg) must sit in a front-facing child seat, while children weighing over 48.5lbs can sit in a booster seat.
Blood-alcohol limits & drunk driving
For drivers of private cars, the alcohol limit in Italy is 0.05%, which is less than the 0.08% limit standard in most parts of the US. The limit is 0% for professionals such as bus and public service vehicle drivers, as well as drivers who have held their driving license for less than three years.
Parking
In Italy, spots marked with a blue border indicate paid parking spots, and you will usually find a meter or an automatic machine located within walking distance. Areas with a white line indicate free parking spots, while the yellow lines indicate parking spots for residents. Parking spots for the disabled are indicated with a wheelchair symbol and are usually free.
Fuel
Unleaded gas is called “benzina” in Italy, but will sometimes be indicated as “Super senza pb” at the gas stations, while diesel is typically indicated as “Diesel.” If not, look for the word “gasolio,” which is the Italian word for diesel. You can also find LPG or gas in some stations. You can pay at gas stations using either cash or card. Some gas stations have both a self-service option and the possibility of having your car filled for you. The latter is indicated by “Servito” and fuel typically costs more than self-service fuel. After-hours, most petrol stations will be self-service only and have an automatic payment machine that you can use to pre-pay before fueling your car. As a general rule, both cash and cards are accepted as payment methods.
