Driving in Italy: what you need to know as a foreign tourist
Driving during your trip to Italy can be one of the best experiences of your life – but you have to make sure you are familiar with the local regulations first. To help you out, we have created this extensive Q&A guide answering all the most popular questions about driving in Italy.
Since we live in Slovenia, Italy is only a short drive away and we often take our car on road trips through the country. So, we gathered a lot of experience driving in Italy as foreigners.
In this guide, we will share the basic rules and tips for foreigners about driving in Italy that will make your trip easier.
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Driving in Italy: General guidelines
We are not going to lie – drivers in Italy have a bad fame. Most people think it is very hard for foreigners to drive in Italy because of the extremely narrow roads and crazy drivers.
Based on our experience, this is not true for the entire country. There are destinations where we really don’t recommend driving by yourself (especially if you don’t have a lot of experience) but there are others where having a car is essential.
If you travel to the Dolomites, for example, you will see that the roads are very good and without a car, you will be extremely limited. So renting a car for your trip may be your best choice.
Here are some of the basic things to know before driving in Italy:
- In Italy, you should drive on the right side of the road
- You should get used to roundabouts, they are everywhere
- Get familiar with the speed limits and basic signs (more on this later). Speeding tickets can cost between €30 – €1000 depending on how much you were exceeding the speed limit.
- You will have to pay tolls for driving on the highways, and they can be quite expensive
- Italy has a strict limit of 0.5 mg of blood alcohol content (BAC) allowed. In practical terms, this means that you should not have more than a glass of wine if you intend to drive. This rule does not apply to young drivers – for them, the limit is 0 BAC.
- The minimum age requirement to drive a car in Italy is 18 years old.
Do you need an International Driving Permit for driving in Italy?
Tourists can drive in Italy but depending on the country that issued their original driving license, they may need to have an International Driving Permit (IDP) as well. Here we broke down the main rules:
- EU: If your driving license was issued by any other EU member state, you do not need an International Driving Permit for driving in Italy
- USA: Americans need to have an International Driving Permit (IDP) for driving in Italy
- UK: You do not need an IDP if you will be driving in Italy with a UK driving license
If you need information for other countries, we recommend checking the relevant authorities websites.
Speed limits when driving in Italy
The speed limit in Italy varies depending on whether you are driving in a city, highway or rural area. Generally speaking, the speed limit for cities is 50km/h for residential areas, and 110-130km/h for highways or motorways. Check the image below to help you get a better picture.
The fines for violating the speed limit can be quite high, so we strongly recommend sticking to the official limits at all times. That being said, there is a 5% tolerance on the speed limit, which is applicable to radar cameras and police checks.
Does Italy have speed cameras?
When driving in Italy, you will notice that there are speed cameras located on the highways and smaller streets as well. On the highways, most of the time there is a sign warning you about the upcoming speed camera, so it is quite easy to spot them.
Not all speed cameras in Italy use flash when you cross the limit, so don’t let that fool you. The speed cameras are fully functional even during the night, with or without flash.
Driving in Italy: Road conditions
It is very hard to give a general assessment of the road conditions in Italy because the situation is different depending on the region.
Generally speaking, the north of the country has better roads – they are more spacious, in great condition, and often have an emergency lane available.
When driving in the southern regions, the picture can be quite different. For example, on the Amalfi Coast, it is quite common to see extremely narrow streets where you need to be extra careful not to scratch your car when driving (and pray that a bus won’t come from the other direction hahaha).
One thing that is quite standard across the country is that the highways normally have quite good conditions.
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Information about highways & tolls when driving in Italy
Highways in Italy are usually toll roads that operate in a closed system. This means that you will get a ticket when you enter the highway and when you exit, the toll price will be calculated depending on the length of your journey.
The toll booths are automated and most of them accept both cash and card payments. Another payment option is to purchase an electronic toll card (ETC) that allows you to pay for the tolls automatically.
Pro tip: Some car rental companies will offer the ETC so you won’t have to stop at every toll booth. We recommend you check this with the rental provider before you pick up the vehicle so you know what to expect when passing through tolls.
Read more: All about renting a car in Italy
How do you avoid tolls in Italy?
As I mentioned, the toll prices in Italy can get quite high so the cost of your trip will add up fast if you intend on driving long distances.
To make the trip more budget-friendly, there is often an alternative route that goes through local roads only, avoiding all tolls. You can do this directly at Google Maps by selecting the function to avoid tolls.
However, this often means that you will be adding quite some time to your trip. Taking local roads means lower speed limits and more kilometers in total, so make sure you consider all of this before deciding the optimal route for your trip. For traveling long distances between major cities, getting a train may be a better option. Check the train options here.
Driving in Italy: Parking
Parking can be difficult in Italy in larger cities, especially within the city center. The number of parking spots available in the center is usually very limited, and you may get better luck finding spots in the parking located in the outskirts of town.
Public parking is normally payable with the parking meters by the side of the road.
The parking spots in Italy are color-coded: white, blue, yellow, and pink.
- White parking spaces are free of charge
- Blue parking spaces are paid
- Yellow parking spaces are reserved for handicapped, taxis, or official vehicles
- Pink parking spaces are for expectant mothers and mothers traveling with babies or infants
There are also private garages that offer parking in all major Italian towns. If you don’t want to deal with the stress of finding and dealing with public parking, parking in private garages may be the best option for you.
Pro tip: If you will be renting a car in Italy, the best thing to do is make sure your hotel or accommodation offers parking, so you do not have to worry about this when coming back to your hotel after a day of exploring.
Final verdict: Is it worth it to drive in Italy?
Driving in Italy can be a great way to explore the country, as it allows you to take your time and visit places that may not be accessible by other means of transportation. Since the Italian regions are very different from one another, this is our general opinion:
– For traveling in Northern Italy, including Tuscany, it is very worth renting a car and driving by yourself. The roads are good and you will be able to explore much more if you have the freedom of having your own vehicle.
– For traveling in the Southern part of Italy, including the Amalfi Coast and the Naples region, you may not need a car and you may save some stress by sticking with public transport such as trains.
FAQ: The most popular questions about driving in Italy
What documents do I need to drive in Italy?
- – A valid driver’s license
- – An International Driving Permit (IDP) depending on where your license was issued
- – A valid ID document with a photo (normally the passport for tourists driving in Italy)
- – Vehicle documents, including proof of insurance
Can you drive in Italy without insurance?
No, it is not possible to drive in Italy without insurance. In order to drive any vehicle, whether as a tourist or local, you must have the vehicle insured and be able to prove it in case you are stopped.
We always recommend asking for all the information about vehicle insurance at the car rental company before you take the vehicle, to make sure you are properly covered. When booking with Discover Cars, they offer a full coverage option so you won’t have to worry about a thing.
Don’t forget travel insurance! It’s always important to make sure you are covered in case something happens during your trip.
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Do I need a green card to drive a hire car in Italy?
No, you are no longer required to have a green card for driving in Italy, but you must be able to prove that the vehicle you are driving is properly insured.
When hiring a car, insurance documents should be provided by the rental company so make sure you ask for it before getting behind the wheel.
Read more: All about renting a car in Italy
Who has the right of way on Italian roundabouts?
On roundabouts in Italy, drivers must give way to vehicles that are already in the circle. Drivers entering a roundabout should yield to these vehicles and not attempt to overtake. Additionally, vehicles exiting the roundabout must always indicate their intent with a turn signal.
Is it difficult for an American to drive in Italy?
If you are attentive and have basic knowledge of the rules, it is not difficult for an American to drive in Italy. Some of the main things to note are:
- Driving in Italy means you will have a LOT of roundabouts instead of crossroads, like in the US. Get used to them.
- Don’t cruise on the left lane on the highways, it is meant for passing.
- Pay close attention to speed limits as there are often radars and police checks.
- If driving on Italian highways, get ready for the tolls (they are pricey).
Is it illegal to use your phone while driving in Italy?
Yes, it is illegal to use your phone while driving in Italy. This includes talking on the phone or texting. If you are caught using your phone while driving, you can expect to receive a fine or other penalties.
What does SS mean on Italian roads?
The SS on Italian roads stands for ‘strade statali’ or ‘state highways’. These are typically toll roads and you may need to pay a fee to use them. It is important to be aware of this when planning your route and budget accordingly.
What are the blue speed signs in Italy?
The blue speed signs in Italy indicate the minimum or recommended speed for that section of the road.
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Can you turn right on a red light in Italy?
No, you cannot turn right on a red light in Italy. The red light means stop. This is considered a traffic violation and can result in a fine or other penalties if you are caught.
Do I need snow chains to drive in Italy?
Snow chains may be necessary when driving in some parts of Italy during the winter months. This is especially true if you are planning to drive up into the mountains.
We hope we have helped you make a decision whether or not to drive in Italy. In general, the best thing to do is to do some research on the region you plan to visit – some regions are great for driving but others are best explored by train. We are big fans of road trips so whenever possible, we always prefer exploring a country by car.
Even though driving in Italy is something that often has a bad reputation for being quite dangerous, we believe that if you get familiar with the rules and documents required, you can have a great time!
Read our other driving guides
Organizing your trip
To help you plan your trip to Italy, we have put together our favorite planning resources:
- Flights: Get affordable flights to Italy on Skyscanner.com.
- Travel insurance: Make sure you are protected during your trip. We use VisitorsCoverage whenever we are traveling abroad.
- Renting a car: We always use Discover Cars to get the best car deals.
- Accommodation: Find the best hotels and apartments on Booking.com.
- Activities: Get fun ideas of what to do and buy unique activities with Get Your Guide.
- SIM Card: Stay connected during your trip with Airalo.
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