Driving through Italy offers a chance to experience the country’s blend of historic cities and breathtaking landscapes. Whether you’re exploring the gorgeous Amalfi Coast, heading for the winding streets of Rome, or to the hills of Tuscany, understanding Italian road rules will make your journey smoother and more enjoyable. This guide provides essential information about key laws and requirements to help you drive in Italy with confidence.

Emergency Services Telephone Number in Italy

Emergency telephones are linked to an SOS telephone network and are installed at 2km intervals along motorways.

In Italy there are two types of emergency telephones:

• Direct connection: You connect to the emergency call centre and speak directly with an operator 
• Assistance buttons: You press either a ‘spanner’ button for mechanical assistance or a ‘red cross’ button for medical aid. A red light will then indicate your request has been received. 

112 – You can dial 112 from anywhere in Europe and an operator will connect you to an emergency service in the country you’re visiting.

Operators can answer your call in their native language, English or French.

Italian Driving Licence Laws

To drive in Italy, you must be at least 18 years old and hold a full, valid UK driving licence.

Driving licences issued in the EU and EEA countries are accepted. International driving permits are recognised but are not required.

What You Cannot Bring Into Italy

When travelling to Italy, the following items are prohibited:

• Meat or products containing meat 
• Milk or dairy products

Additionally, the following items may only be brought into Italy if they are inspected and accompanied by a ‘phytosanitary certificate’ (fees apply):

• Fresh fruit (apart from bananas, coconuts, dates, pineapples and durians) 
• Vegetables 
• Plants 
• Plant products 

Documents You Need to Drive in Italy

Vehicles from the UK can be temporarily imported into Italy for up to 12 months without formalities.

To stay on the right side of the law, you should always carry the following documents should always be carried:

• Full, valid UK driving licence 
• Proof of ID (passport) 
• Motor insurance certificate 
• V5 registration document 

Car hire companies will provide additional documents specific to your car – keep these handy during your travels.

Compulsory Equipment Checklist for Driving in Italy

To avoid hefty on-the-spot fines, you should have the following items in your car:

• Reflective jackets: You could be fined for walking on the road or hard shoulder if you are not wearing a reflective jacket so it is always good to have some in the car. 
• Warning triangle: This is compulsory in every vehicle with four or more wheels. 
• Headlamp beam deflectors:  Depending on your car, you will either need deflector stickers or you will have to adjust the beam manually. 

Italian Rules of the Road

Seat Belt Law in Italy

You must wear seat belts in the front and rear seats of cars if they are equipped with seat belts. If you fail to wear your seat belt, you may be fined. The fine is set between €80 and €323.

What side of the road do they drive on in Italy?

Like most European countries, Italy drives on the right-hand side of the road. If you are used to driving on the left, this may take some adjustment.

How to overtake in Italy

In Italy, overtaking is forbidden on and approaching:

• Level crossings 
• Bends 
• The brow of a hill 
• Intersections 
• Limited visibility 

You also cannot overtake a vehicle that has slowed to allow pedestrians to use a crossing.

You can overtake trams on the right if there is enough space.

On one-way streets, you may overtake a tram on the left if there is enough room. Overtaking a tram when picking up passengers where there is no island, is also prohibited.

Who has priority in Italy?

Generally, vehicles coming from the right or on rails have priority, unless indicated.

Pedestrians on crossings and cyclists near cycle paths also have priority.

On some mountain roads where two vehicles are unable to pass each other, the descending vehicle must reverse to a passing point.

If two vehicles cannot pass on a road, priority should be given to the heavier vehicle.

Sounding Your Horn

Horns should be used in moderation.

Using a horn is always prohibited in urban areas, except in emergencies. If you need to warn other drivers, use your headlights to flash a signal instead.

In rural areas, you should use a horn when it is necessary to ensure safety.

Motorists transporting injured or seriously ill individual must always use their horns despite any restrictions.

Traffic light system

The international three-colour traffic light system is used in Italy.

Near level crossings, at entrances to mobile bridges and at ferry boarding points, a flashing red light may be used to tell road users to stop.

What are the speed limits in Italy?

The metric system is used for all road signs in Italy, which means that all speed limits as well as other signs, including distance, are indicated by kilometres and metres.

These are the speed limits in Italy:

Built-up areas: 50km/h – 70km/h (according to local signs)

Outside built-up areas: 90km/h – 110km/h

Motorways: 130 km/h

On certain motorways with three lanes in each direction, the maximum speed limit may be set at 150 km/h.

Italian Speeding Fines

Speeding fines in Italy range from €41 to €4,382 depending on the speed at which you are caught as well as the road on which you are driving.

Are speed camera detectors allowed in Italy?

Radar detectors are strictly prohibited in Italy. However, the Point of Interest (POI) feature on a sat nav system is permitted and can be used to identify the locations of fixed speed cameras.

Travelling with Children in Italy

In Italy, children under 12 years of age or shorter than 1.5 meters are legally required to travel in an approved child seat.

The child seat must be appropriate for the child’s weight and display the European safety label ECE R 44-04.

Non-compliance with these regulations may result in fines of up to €323.

Italian Penalties and Fines

On-the-spot Fines

The Italian traffic police are authorised to impose fines on-the-spot for the violation of traffic regulations, but they cannot collect the entire fine.

The police can impose a fine on the driver of a foreign-registered vehicle and collect one quarter of the maximum fine on-the-spot. They must also give you a receipt.

If you wish to contest the fine or for any reason refuse to pay, you must deposit a guarantee for half the maximum amount either in cash (foreign currency is accepted), or in the form of a surety. If refused, the police have the power to confiscate the vehicle until you pay the fine.

If paid within five days, your fine may be reduced by 30%. This doesn’t, however, apply to offences like drink driving, not having insurance or speeding over 40km/h as well as other offences.

Minimum and Maximum Fines in Italy

In Italy, fines range from a minimum of €41 for a minor speeding fine up to €6,000 for driving under the influence of drugs.

As some motoring offences are considered criminal offences, it can lead to punishment beyond fines, such as licence revocation, vehicle confiscation and sometimes even prison sentences.

Vehicle Confiscation

A vehicle can be confiscated for a number of reasons including when a driver has:

• No licence 
• No registration documents 
• Forged number plates 

Parking in Italy

Parking Regulations

Parking areas are marked by coloured stripes which indicate how they should be used:

• White lines: Free parking spaces 
• Yellow lines: Residential parking 
• Blue lines: Parking which must be paid for at the meter 

Parking is prohibited on, near or in:

• A bend 
• Intersections 
• The brow of a hill 
• Cycle lanes 
• Pavements 
• Areas reserved for other activities like bus or tram stops and loading zones 

Paid Parking

Blue road signs indicate areas with restricted parking that require payment. Parking fees can be paid at meters or automatic machines which issue tickets showing the duration of paid parking.

In some zones, parking may be free during certain hours or on Sundays. Always check the local signage for specific details.

Enforcement of Parking Regulations

If you have illegally parked your car, it is likely to be clamped unless it is causing an obstruction to moving traffic, then the car will be towed away. In both instances, a fine must be paid to cover the offence as well as the cost of towing and impounding.

If you park in non-authorised spaces, you may face a fine of anywhere between €41 and €335. If you park in an area deemed to be a danger to traffic, then you could face a fine between €84 and €335.

Disabled Parking Access

EU-issued disabled permits should be recognised in Italy.

Blue badge holders must not park in pedestrian areas or restricted access areas unless signs indicate they are allowed to do so.

Toll Roads in Italy

You can pay for Italian toll roads with cash or card.

Most motorways support the Viacard system, a prepaid card that makes toll payments easier at booths. However, please note that Viacards are not accepted on motorways in Sicily.

Additionally, an electronic payment system called Telepass is available on approximately 80% of motorways. With Telepass, a transmitter is mounted on your windscreen that allows you to pass through toll barriers without stopping.

Alcohol Limits

Legal Limit

In Italy, the standard blood alcohol limit for drivers is 0.5 g/L, this is less than the 0.008% in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

For professional drivers and those with less than three years of experience, the limit is 0.00%.

Random Breath Tests

Drivers suspected of drug use are required to undergo a breath test, similar to the process in the UK.

If caught driving under the influence of alcohol, the penalty will vary based on your blood alcohol level, with fines reaching up to €6,000.

Fuel

If you are looking to fill your car up with petrol, you need the pump labelled ‘benzina’.

Diesel will be found under the pump that’s labelled ‘gasolio’.

There are also multiple types of clean fuel available in Italy, including biogas, LPG and E85. 
Check the price of fuel before you arrive.

Hiring A Car In Italy

Not all of the information in the guide above will be relevant to those looking to rent a hire car in France. However, it’s still worth reviewing to make sure you are as prepared as possible.

For drivers of rented vehicles, here at the most important things to know:

• Minimum Age: You must be at least 21 years old to hire a car. Age requirements may vary depending on the type of vehicle. 
• Driving Licence: A full, valid UK driving licence is required, along with a second form of ID, such as a passport. 
• Licence Duration: Most rental companies require you to have held your licence for a minimum term, typically at least 1 year. 
• Deposit Requirements: A credit card may be needed to cover the deposit. 
• Travel Restrictions: Planning to drive outside of France? Confirm with your rental company beforehand, as this may not always be allowed. 
• Excess Insurance: Protect yourself from unexpected costs with excess insurance. It is more affordable to arrange this in advance with a third-party insurer like Cover4Rentals, rather than directly with the rental company. 

To make your Italian car hire experience as smooth as possible you need to prepare.

A sensible step is to invest in car hire excess insurance. If you accidentally damage the rental car, you will only need to cover the excess with the rental company and then you can reclaim this cost through us. It is straightforward and stress free!

By taking the time to understand Italian driving regulations and ensuring you have the proper insurance in place, you can spend less time worrying and more time enjoying your journey and creating lasting memories.