A Traveler’s Guide to Driving in Italy in 2025

Are you planning a trip to Italy and deciding the best way to get around? Driving yourself may seem like a viable option, but where do you start? Driving in Italy as a tourist can seem daunting and have you leaning towards public transport, but it can be incredibly rewarding once you figure it out.

It’s no secret that Italy is filled with unimaginable sights, from historic city centers to the rolling countryside, and driving yourself around lets you explore these to their fullest potential. Imagine a road trip or day trip from Rome or Florence – traveling at your own pace, in your own time. It means not letting your itinerary be subjected to public transport schedules.

Ultimately, driving in Italy is a great way to get from point A to point B and allows you greater freedom in your travel plans. If you enjoy long road trips and want to explore hidden gems in Italy, off the beaten path, then driving is your go-to.

This guide will cover everything you need to know, from Italian traffic laws to required documents and everything in between.

Do You Need to Drive When Visiting Italy?

This will depend on the specifics of your trip, where you’re traveling, and what you’re willing to sacrifice. Public transportation in Italy is very reliable, with buses, trains, metros, and ferries, so driving a car isn’t necessary in most places.

Major Italian cities and popular destinations are typically well-connected and have established transport systems, so finding a bus or train station won’t be difficult. However, they are usually swamped, and local roads can be challenging to navigate. On the Amalfi Coast, for example, narrow, winding roads along cliff sides are daunting for regular drivers, let alone tourists in a foreign country.

For these reasons, avoid driving in big cities and places such as Rome, Milan, Naples, the Amalfi Coast, Cinque Terre, or Catania.

That said, there are some cases when driving a car is needed. For starters, the Italian countryside and small towns. Much of the countryside isn’t directly connected to bus or train systems, so you will need to drive. That includes some parts of Piedmont, Puglia, Tuscany, or Emilia-Romagna, to name a few.

You’ll also need a car to explore more scenic spots and small towns, like La Morra and Grinzane in Piedmont or San Gimignano and Val d’Orcia in Tuscany. The Italian Lakes, including Lake Como, Garda, or Maggiore, don’t need a car if you’re taking a short day trip. However, a car is a better way to get around if you stay for several days. 

What Documents Do I Need to Drive in Italy?

The documents you need depend on whether you’re driving your own or using a rental car and which country you’re from. However, there are a few things that every traveler needs to drive in Italy legally, but let’s break it down:

• Valid driver’s license – Whether you’re from the United States, Australia, United Kingdom,  or any other country, your license is always necessary. This should ideally be translated into a widely spoken language, Italian in this case, and have a letter of validity from the relevant embassy. In addition, it should have your photo and signature attached.
• Identification card (ID) or passport – This is pretty straightforward, but it provides officials with important identifying information, like your name, age, or country of origin.
• International Driving Permit (IDP) – This is required if you’re coming from an English speaking and many other countries. Your IDP is a translation and proof of validity of your driving license at home and is needed in case of an emergency or accident or for insurance purposes.
• Proof of insurance – Drivers used to require a European Green Card as proof of insurance to drive overseas, but it’s no longer necessary in Italy. Now, all you’ll need is any printed or electronic proof provided by your insurance provider.
• Proof of car ownership (optional) – If you’re using your car, it’s a no-brainer that you’ll need proof of ownership, specifically the V5C document.

What Do I Need in the Car While Driving in Italy?

Other than documents, a few things are necessary to keep in the car while driving in Italy for identification and safety purposes. Here are the main requirements:

• Reflective safety vest – This is another safety requirement in case of an accident or sudden stop. You’ll need to keep this in the car and wear it so other drivers can see you from a distance, especially at night.
• Reflective triangle – In case of an emergency stop, you’ll need this positioned behind the car to warn other drivers in oncoming traffic of an issue.
• UK sticker identifier – Drivers from the UK will need this when using their car in Italy. You’ll need an identifying sticker labeled “UK” on the rear of your car that is visible to other cars. Alternatively, it can be stated on your license plate.

Do You Need an International Driving Permit for Italy?

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is a document that details your name and driving information and can be translated into different languages depending on where you’re traveling.

If you’re coming from the United Kingdom or any country that is part of the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA), you won’t need an IDP to drive in Italy. If you have a valid UK driver’s license, you can drive. That is if you also have the other necessary documents mentioned above.

However, some rental and insurance companies have their own requirements. So, even if you are an EU or EEA citizen, check with your car rental agency and insurance provider in advance to see if they require an IDP.

On the other hand, according to the U.S. Embassy in Italy, American citizens require an IDP and should apply for one before leaving the country. This is especially important in case of an emergency or accident, and not providing officials with your IDP can result in heavy fines.

The same applies to anyone traveling from countries outside the EU or the EEA. The official International Driving Permit website outlines this.

Now, how do you get an IDP? You can apply with the relevant IDP suppliers in your country. Americans, for example, use the American Automobile Association website. The IDP generally remains valid for up to 12 months but can extend up to three years.

Can You Drive in Italy With a U.S. License?

Can Americans drive in Italy with their U.S. license? The short answer is yes – driving in Italy with a U.S. license is allowed, as long as it’s accompanied by the proper documentation. As mentioned before, it must come with an official translation of your license in Italian known as an International Driving Permit. You may need to show traffic police and officials when asked or in an emergency.

A U.S. license is only valid in Italy for the first year. If staying longer than 12 months for any reason, you must get an Italian license and follow all the relevant steps. This includes a medical evaluation, a theory test, practical driving lessons, and the driving test itself.

What You Need to Get a Rental Car in Italy

Most of the time, traveling in your own car is impossible. A rental car can be a better alternative in these cases, but how do you get one? Any questions you have will be answered by this detailed guide on renting a car in Italy, which has all the information you need about your car rental process and more.

Most Important Italy Road Rules

Visiting a foreign country, you’ll be expected to follow the same rules and regulations that Italian drivers follow. To avoid car accidents or pricey fines and to drive safely, follow these general rules for driving on Italian roads:

• Like most European countries, in Italy, you drive in the right lane and overtake on the left.
• The emergency lane is on the farthest right and reserved for emergency and rescue vehicles.
• Keeping your headlights and parking lights on is compulsory on Italian motorways, suburban roads, and rural areas.
• At a roundabout or traffic circle, priority is given to the right.
• Using the car horn is prohibited in built-up areas unless there’s an emergency.

• Seat belts must be worn at all times.
• The blood alcohol level limit is 0.05%. This drops to 0.0% for professional drivers, adults under 21 years old, and people who have had their license for less than three years.
• Making a right turn is illegal at a red light.
• Drivers caught using their mobile phones while driving will be fined heavily or their driving privileges suspended.
• Children under 12 years old, or 36 kg (79 lbs), and 150cm (about 4.9 ft) tall, will need booster seats in the car.

Speed Limits in Italy

As in any place, sticking to the speed limit is vital to avoid fines and unsafe situations. In Italy, this is measured in kilometers per hour. This varies depending on the type of car you’re driving, the kind of road, and the area you’re in, and is indicated through various speed limit signs. These are the speed limits for regular cars:

• The maximum speed limit on motorways is 130km/h.
• Main urban roads and non-major highways have a maximum speed of 110km/h.
• Most secondary and local roads have a limit of 90 km/h.
• The speed limit in built-up areas is 50km/h.

Restricted Traffic Zones (ZTL)

One of the most important things to look out for is a limited-traffic zone, also known as Zona Traffico Limitato (ZTL). They are indicated on white road signs with a bright red circle in the center. You’ll typically find them in a major city near landmarks, like a historic center or high-traffic areas.

These areas are only restricted for most people if they have special access and authorization. You will be fined if you drive beyond these points, so always familiarize yourself with the ZTL zones beforehand.

More Tips for Driving in Italy

If the above didn’t clear everything up for you, here are a few extra valuable tips that will help:

• Look at the color of parking spaces – There are five colors to look out for. Blue lines are usually in paid parking spots. White lines around parking spaces indicate residential or free parking. Yellow lines indicate reserved parking or spaces that need special permission, such as taxis, goods vehicles, or handicapped spaces. Pink indicates a space for pregnant women or people traveling with children under two years old. Finally, green parking spots show charging stations reserved for hybrid and electric cars.
• Keep cash for parking and toll booths – Bigger parking lots and all tolls accept debit or credit cards for payment, but some smaller pay meters don’t so keep some cash handy.
• Always display parking discs in blue zones – Since blue areas are for paid parking, you’ll need the relevant parking disc that shows how long you’ve been there. The disk is valid for one hour.
• Weather affects speed limits – Common sense already tells us that adverse weather, particularly rainy and wet weather, should make you drive slower. The speed limits mentioned above are typically reduced during these conditions by around 20 km/h, just to be safe.

• Road sign color – Road signs have different colors depending on their purpose. White signs are used on urban roads, blue ones on suburban roads without toll roads, and green ones on highways or motorways with toll roads. Brown signs are usually found around attractions and tourist areas. Yellow signs indicate that the sign is temporary.
• Road sign shape – Rectangular or square signs usually indicate an informational sign, triangular signs show a warning and circular ones show something is prohibited.
• Manual cars are more common – If you’re used to an automatic car, be prepared to change to a manual or stick-shift when renting a car.
• Always have insurance – Having travel insurance is an absolute necessity. In case of an unfortunate accident, this will cover any damages to your car or medical expenses.
• Use a navigation app – An app or service like Google Maps is always essential for navigating unfamiliar roads, and it’s easy to use on your mobile phone. Google Maps is suitable for general directions, but Waze is best as it’s the only app that shows the ZTLs.

Wrapping Up Driving in Italy

There you have it – a complete tourist guide for driving in Italy. Driving is a fantastic way to explore serene country lanes and get into the nooks and crannies of this stunning country. So, don’t let rumors about “crazy Italian drivers” deter you. As long as you keep these tips in mind, you’ll be fine.  

So, it’s no use waiting. It’s time to start planning your trip to Italy.

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