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One of the best ways to get to know Italy and to make the most of your trip is to explore the beautiful Italian countryside by car. Therefore my highest suggestion is to rent a car and plan a two-week long road trip over a smaller region where you can find real hidden gems. I bet you have heard some horror stories about driving in Italy, especially in bigger cities like Rome, Naples, or Florence but don’t let your fears about driving in Italy put you off taking your dream Italian road trip. Driving in Italy can be a bit different than driving at home but your road trip will be a pleasure with good preparation. Find out all you need to know about driving in Italy below.

What you need to know to drive safely in Italy

Fast facts

• – You need a license to drive in Italy and you can drive on any license issued by any EU member state, an international driving permit or a sworn translation of the license from your own country
• – Drivers must be over 18
• – You must drive on the right and overtake on the left
• – You are only allowed to use your mobile phone when it is a hands-free device. 
• – The maximum permitted level of alcohol in the bloodstream is 0.5 ‰.

Speed limits

Standard speed limits in Italy (unless otherwise indicated on the signs):

• – Built-up areas – 50 km/h
• – Outside built-up areas – 80 km/h
• – Expressway – 110 km/h
• – Motorway – 130 km/h

Italians driving etiquette

It’s sad to say but it’s not unusual to see damaged cars around the streets of the bigger cities in Italy, which probably is due to the aggressive driving that seems to be a custom in Italy. Italian drivers are generally bad at parking, following road signs, and having respect for other vehicles. Also, indicators are rarely used so you have to be ready for everything at roundabouts and junctions. Always be prepared for fast movements and don’t be surprised when the horn is used for more than emergencies (which is not correct, avoid using the horn in Italy). 

Driving in Italy can be a stressful task and my biggest tip is to always have your foot ready, hovering above the brake when moving in high traffic loads or narrow streets. As long as you are alert there won’t be any issues. Remember that driving is much more manageable in the countryside, and that is where I advise you to spend most of your time. Driving in the beautiful Italian countryside is very easy and relaxed so I would say driving in Italy is overall an enjoyable experience.

Tip: Always make sure you have insurance when renting a car in Italy (or in the rest of the world, for that matter). See my blog post on what to think about when renting a car in Italy. 

When to avoid driving in Italy

In general, try to avoid driving in Italy during peak season (July-August) if you’re planning to rent a car. I know this is hard but there will be a lot more people on the move then, especially Italians, and car parks at famous sights such as the Amalfi Coast, Tuscany, and Cinque Terre can be crowded and very busy. Another tip is to plan to visit bigger cities or famous attractions on the weekdays if possible, to avoid crowds. 

Find information about the best time to visit Italy here.

Driving in cities 

As mentioned before, my tip is to avoid driving in bigger cities or cities in general. But if you can’t avoid it, be aware of the zona a traffico limitato or ZTLs which are low-emission zones where you’re not allowed to drive. If you are photographed in these zones you will get a pretty hefty fine. If you have to drive in this zone to get to your hotel, inform the staff of your number plate and model of the car so they can inform the police. All entrances to ZTLs are clearly marked with standard signage: a white sign with a red circle and the words Zone Traffico Limitado. In smaller towns, it’s often pretty easy to find parking outside of the city center and you can just walk to the center in less than 10 minutes. However, in bigger cities, it can be more tricky. See more information about parking below. 

How to avoid driving in bigger cities (like Rome, Florence, or Milan):

• Always plan on visiting the big cities at the beginning or the end of your road trip. Doing this means you don’t have to rent a car for those specific days. This is convenient for both your wallet and your heart rate.
• Another tip is to always pick up the rental car at the airport, even though you arrived a few days earlier. Transportation to and from the airport is usually pretty straightforward and fairly cheap for most cities. Also, in this way you never have to navigate the big cities since the airport is usually located outside of the city centers. 

See an example of how I used these techniques in the itinerary for The Ultimate 2-week Lazio Road Trip.

Parking

Most Italian cities have restrictions on when parking in the city center is allowed and the times often vary per day. Remember, most cities have restricted driving zones which means it can be tricky to drive in the city centers. Italy has three different parking zones which are:

• – White paint – parking is free
• – Blue paint – pay for a ticket in the machine and attach it under the windshield or set the blue parking disk at the time from when parking was paid. The parking disk can be found at travel agencies. 
• – Yellow paint – parking is meant for disabled people or delivery vehicles

My tip is to park outside of the city center at the first spot you can find since parking options often are limited. Most cities have a car park outside of town with a short walking distance into the center. You don’t want to spend too much time looking for parking spots. Alternatively, look for a parking garage in advance and check availability there. 

Dangerous roads 

Italy is home to the most dangerous road in Europe, SS 106, spanning from Reggio Calabria to Taranto and there are some more contestants in the country. The Stelvio pass in the north is one of the most dangerous roads in the world, but it also offers one of the best views I’ve ever seen. These roads should be undertaken with a lot of carefulness but they are both worth driving in my opinion. But do what you are comfortable doing, nothing more.  

Road Quality

The quality of the roads in Italy can vary depending on where in the country you are. The roads in the north are often better than in the south, but overall the road quality in Italy is good. The Autostrade, which is the motorway, is mostly in good condition but there can be some sections that are pretty bad. Rural roads are often less maintained so keep an eye out for some potholes. Also, some roads are narrow, without guardrails and road markings.

Car stealth

Be aware that stealth on the side of the road has occurred in Italy. Never stop for someone waving at the road, asking for help with a flat tire. It’s better to be an ass instead of losing some valuables. I actually have some friends that were waved over by a passing car saying to them that their light was out in the back. When they stopped, the people in the other car were eager to show them the problem and when they later got back in the car some of their valuables were gone. They were driving a foreign car which is probably why they were targeted. This might not be the case if you have a rental car. However, stay safe!

Also, if doing a pit stop during your drive at a bigger attraction, be sure to hide your valuables away from thieves to avoid a break-in. 

Tolls

Italy uses tolls on their biggest motorways and the price will vary depending on the distance traveled and the type of vehicle you are driving. The process is that you collect a ticket when you enter the motorway and then when exiting you will insert the ticket and the monitor will show the price. You can pay in both cash and by credit card. There are also gates with operators present if you have any questions. Look at the signs above the gates to see which payment method is used. Be sure to always have cash in the car as payment by card isn’t always accessible. 

If you travel far on the autostrada the ticket can go up to 50 euros. My personal preference is to try to avoid the autostrada and drive the smaller roads which will give you stunning views as well. For me, the road trip isn’t about reaching the destination but instead about the journey of getting there. Make the driving count by driving the countryside and visiting some villages on the way. 

Fuel

Something to be cautious about is that the Italian gas stations have a self-service and a servizio (serviced) option, which for the latter you will pay around 15 cents more per liter. The extra cost is for the staff helping you to fuel up so naturally, the staff will try to wave you into the serviced option. Ignore that if you don’t want to pay the extra money. Also, make sure you fill-up the right fuel in your tank: 

Benzina – Unleaded gasoline (95% or 98%)
Gasolio – Diesel

Emergency numbers

If something might happen on the road it’s always good to be prepared. Below are some numbers you should write down before going on your road trip in Italy. 

European emergency number – 112
Police – 113
Fire – 115
Roadside assistance – 116
Ambulance – 118
Motorway code: www.aci.it

Hope this guide convinced you that it’s not that difficult or dangerous to drive in Italy. As long as you are calm and alert, it will be fine! And I’m sure that if you choose to do this you will have the best time and will want to come back and explore even more of this beautiful country. Find your next rental car here!

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If you want some inspiration on where to go on a road trip in Italy, read my 2-week Lazio road trip itinerary.

Also, find more tips about road-tripping Italy here.

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