Stepping into Uffizi Gallery is like stepping into a portal that takes you back to the Renaissance period. While some of the rules are similar to driving laws in the U.S., some, like the Zona Traffico Limitato, are particular to Italy. It is sad to admit but many Italians arent too keen on using their signals, especially when it comes to changing lanes on the highway. Using a handheld phone while driving is not allowed in Italy as it distracts you while driving. ZTL stands forzona traffico limitato limited traffic zone. Do I need an International Driving Permit in Italy? The Cinque Terre region is the perfect destination for a getaway with your loved ones. What do I do if I lose my Autostrada ticket before I exit?When you exit the Autostrada and arrive at the barrier to pay, push theaiuto(help) button to speak with an operator. If you dont, you risk not finding them attached to your car when you return. Rome offers a lot of beautiful sites with impressive architecture, so dont ever miss out this city. If you booked your rental online, you need to present the receipt of your rental, too. this post may contain affiliate links which will take you to online retailers that sell products and services. The Autostrada is our toll road. When overtaking, make sure you can see ahead and check if theres no vehicle already overtaking. Rules for Driving in Italy General Rules In Italy, we drive on the right side of the road. Old habits die hard and it isnt always easy to switch from how you drive in your own country to driving in Italy like a local. Italy has a lot of windy Roads not very many highways and the roads can be in quite a poor condition (which they introduce speed restrictions for instead of fixing the road). The Leaning Tower of Pisa may not have many activities to offer, but youll surely find yourself collecting fun and quirky photos and memories. If you need to stop on the road, you need to be able to use the items immediately (exit the car already wearing your vest). Child seats protect your children in case of car accidents. Here are 7 things to know before you rent a car in Italy. Being a pedestrian in Italy Be careful while walking around town, pedestrians make up many of Italy's road fatality statistics. All in all, driving in Rome is a once in a lifetime experience. About 72%; of the registered vehicles are passenger cars, while 9% of them are trucks, and 13% are motorcycles. However, if you'd like to explore Italy's small towns and remote areas, you may want to consider renting a car for easier access to those parts of the country. Enter your info & email address and you'll be the first to know when the 2021 dates are open for booking! Dont follow the locals lead. The wearing of seatbelts is a safety measure implemented to reduce fatalities in road accidents. Sicily YESItalys largest island needs to be explored by car. Taking a break from near-perfect structures, visit the magnificently flawed Leaning Tower of Pisa and snap a quirky photo to share with your family and friends. Buy a gelato as you hike the five villages of Cinque Terre or enjoy a fulfilling meal at one of the restaurants in the villages. Youll need to choose credit card or cash payment. Coming from Australia we would only have pretty strict road rules whilst some people break the rules we tend to be careful in breaking the rules as there are massive fines if you are caught. If you enter the ZTL, the camera will register your vehicle, and youll be in for a big surprise when you return home when your car rental company sends you a bill for the ticket. Youll find road signs wherever youre driving in Italy, serving different purposes. Copyright 2015 2022. The Personal Effects Protection costs around $7 per day, while the Personal Accident Coverage costs around $8 a day. It also seems to be the option that has the least amount of fill-up points. These prices are based on car rentals for compact, economy, mid-size, or full-size vehicle types. The Amalfi Coast is one of the most enchanting scenic drives in Italy with colorful towns and houses stacked up so high on the cliff they have coastal views that go on forever. Many city centres are off-limits to unauthorised traffic and if you slip into a ZTL (zona a traffico limitato - reduced traffic zone) you risk being caught on camera and fined.City driving also involves dealing with one-way systems, scooters appearing out of nowhere and narrow streets better suited to horse-drawn . Get the best deal! Get gas, eat at a restaurant or bar, shop for snacks and more, or use the bathroom. Don't miss my other articles in this series: Driving in Italy 101 and Italian Driving Laws & Rules of the Road. Good To Know: Many machines now require your license plate. Its a bad practice to drive when tired or ill as it makes you incapable of being alert on the road. If hiking and beach parties arent appealing to you, you can opt to join a boat tour with other tourists to the Blue Grotto Cave. Need to call the rental car agency from home? Driving your own car in Italy is allowed, but you need to equip your vehicle with a warning triangle and a reflective vest. If you dont pay the fine, a collections agency will be hired to collect the fees. Climbing the tower is not as tiring as it seems because, once you reach the top, youll find a relaxing view. Celebrate love in all forms by doing the activities listed below. That means that the majority of rental cars available to you are also standard and that renting an automatic vehicle will come at a premium. You must have an International Driving Permit. If you're not sure about taking public transport in Italy, you can rent a car instead. The age requirement can also affect the options you can choose from. The only possibility one has to continue driving in Italy is to take the Italian driving exam (a written test in Italian, with multiple choice questions; and a practical driving test, with an instructor and a manual car, thus with a stick shift! 'It was all I could have asked for and more. You can stop off atrifugifor a cup of hot chocolate, pull over on a mountain pass to photograph a happy cow, or stop to let your kids roll down a big, green hill! The precautionary measures to apply will depend on the seriousness of the accident. This generally signifies that you can park for free. An international drivers license is necessary to solve language differences between you and the authorities in a foreign country. Rules of the Road. I am from Canada which has more or less the same driving culture as the US, and drove in numerous countries and Italy was far from being the worst, in fact, I was pleasantly surprised. And equally important, the steering wheel is on the left side as well. Italian authorities are unforgiving with excessive speeding. Europcar, Auto Europe, and Indigo Car Hire have locations in Italy where you can rent a car that suits your traveling needs. GPS often comes standard in rental cars, or as an add-on option. Italian highways normally have a speed limit of 130kmph (80mph) but that drops down to 110kmph (70mph) when it's raining. The speed limit on Italian autostrada is 110Km/h Read here >>> our complete guide to using Italian toll roads. Drive up, and put your ticket into the machine. Ciao and welcome to Mom in Italy. Is it safe to drive in Italy as a tourist?Italy is a safe place to drive as a tourist if you follow the Italian road laws and understand the basics of Italian driving culture. Its best to check with your hotel where the best places to park and how to pay for parking as they will have the insider knowledge. Paying for tolls on the highway is easy, but knowing which lane to enter is key. 4.) Accelerate along the open roads of Tuscany and Emilia Romagna with the wind in your hair. The alcohol limit in Italy is 0.05% so no more than 1 to 2 wines or the safest option dont drink at all. During the Renaissance era, Italy flourished because of artistic, technological, and intellectual endeavors. International Driving Permits currently cost travelers $20 USD and can be acquired online if you do not live near a local . Here are some rules and driving tips that you should make yourself aware of before you start your road trip in Italy: Like many European nations, mobile phones are not allowed to be used when driving in Italy. You are allowed to park on areas painted in white for free. A trip to Italy is never complete without visiting its capital! If youre driving north of the country, you can join the A4, or the Serenissima, connecting Turin and Trieste and passing by Venice and Milan along the way. In historic city centers, the streets are often narrow and winding, making it congested, especially on weekends. However, if you choose not to take the risk of driving, youll miss out on some of the best experiences Italy has to offer. : Always carry cash. Seat belts support your body in case of a collision or sudden stop. If you check out of your accommodation and must store luggage in the vehicle, have someone always remain with it. If there is a sign showing with a police officer with a hand raised or orange autovelox boxes this indicates that there will be speed traps and check points. This will save you the dreaded high cost of roaming charges. Dont start planning your Italian road trip before reading these 13 travel tips for driving in Italy. Foreigners need an internationals drivers permit to drive in Italy for up to six months. Good To Know: If the barrier is up, dont go through without taking a ticket. Knowing when to yield for others or when youre permitted to go is vital to maintain a smooth flow of traffic and ensure everyones safety. Driving in Italy is not that different than driving in the United States (and it is far less intimidating than driving in Ireland). However, you need to know the Italian driving laws before renting a car. With statues and edifices that are a mix of both modern and history, it can be mesmerizing and more enjoyable if you have more freedom. When opting for using your phone as a GPS make sure that before you leave home your plan offers adequate roaming. Its better not to drink even a glass of alcohol if youre driving if you dont want to get in trouble. When driving on main roads outside built-up urban areas the speed limit varies between 90kmph and 110kmph. Luckily, they often speak with their hands, so directions are easy to follow. Accessed September 20, 2022. As you move along the canals, youll see fascinating structures and beautiful houses lining the route. Look out for these signs to tell the difference between self-service and attendant service: Service stations are very frequent along all of the motorways just like most of Europe. In Italy they drive on the right-hand side of the road. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. These words can be seen on road signs or mentioned by Italian drivers. As I went with a cheap car hire company we had to fill up the car before going on a road trip the first lesson that we learnt and ended up with some pretty expensive full. Violation of this rule is subject to on-the-spot fines that start at 80. Sardinia YESUnless youre plopping yourself on the beach for your entire visit (which, is entirely ok! If youre planning to make this dream trip come true, you need to know some important things before booking that ticket. When entering a roundabout, you must know what lane to get into. Always make sure you have a ticket from the nearest parking meter and display it, the fine can add up really fast. You should wear things that make you feel comfortable. Click here to check our small group Italy tours that take you from Italys Adriatic coast to eating among the locals in Le Marches Truffle country. When you come in contact with a toll make sure you only approach stations with blue signs on them, to avoid any embarrassment of holding up traffic. Your vehicle must pass the roadworthiness test to check if it conforms to Italian standards. Italy has been attracting millions of tourists every year, making it one of the most visited countries not only in Europe but in the world. Youll also want to have a car to reach archaeological sites, countryside restaurants, and beaches. Get back to the right lane once youve finished overtaking while leaving enough space for the vehicle behind you. If you have a long leg of your trip planned and want the most relaxing day to drive then Sunday is your best choice. 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