Italy is notorious for fast driving, narrow lanes and difficult parking. And
because train travel is so convenient and inexpensive many choose not to
hire a car. High gas prices and freeway tolls, plus parking fees in major
towns are also dissuading factors.
However for exploring smaller towns and quieter regions a car is essential.
And if you are dividing the cost between a group of friends it may not work
out more expensive. Italy also has an extensive and well maintained road
network.
We advise that you read through the information below and note that driving
outside your own country can be a scary and harrowing experience with fast
drivers, narrow lanes, difficult parking, expensive tolls and different
rules or lack of rules.
If you can master all of these things then the freedom of having your own
transport will be rewarding.
ROAD CONDITIONS
There are a number of different kinds of
roads in Italy. The autostrade (toll highways)
are well maintained. The interregional highways
or superstrade (expressways) are equally
well-maintained. A raccordo is a ring road
around a city. Strade statali (state highways
denoted by S or SS numbers) may be single-lane
roads. All secondary roads are single-lane
and the condition of these provincial (county)
roads varies, although generally road maintenance
is good in Italy. Directions and turnoffs
are not always clearly marked so have a
good map and stay alert. Foreigners often
report incidences of tailgating and impatient
drivers. This is normal and the best way
to avoid it is to get out of the way. Learn
the road types and which ones have fees
attached.
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RULES AND SPEED
LIMITS
As in the rest of continental Europe, vehicles
travel on the right and overtake on the
left. The wearing of seatbelts is compulsory
for front- and back-seat passengers as well
as for the driver. The use of portable telephones
is prohibited if they require intervention
by hand to function. Speed limits are fixed
at 50km (31miles) per hour in urban areas,
90km (56miles) per hour on secondary and
local roads, 110km (68miles) per hour on
main roads outside urban areas and 130km
(80miles) per hour on motorways. Fines for
drink driving are heavy (the legal blood
alcohol limit is 80mg), horns are forbidden
in most towns, and police have the power
to levy on the spot fines.
FUEL
Learn the local word for the fuel/gas/petrol.
In some countries they will check your tyres,
oil and water free of charge (you should
leave a tip and you do pay for top ups of
oil). In developed countries there is usually
an option to pay by an automated machine
if the station is closed.
DRIVING LICENSES
Italy recognizes driving licenses and other
traffic documents that are valid in other
countries. Citizens from non EU countries
require a green card or equivalent international
insurance certificate. An International
Driver's Permit is a good idea. In Australia
get it from the nearest RACQ, RACV or equivalent
office. In America and Canada and the United
Kingdom it is available from the automobile
association. You only need to be 18 to drive
in Italy but 21 to rent a car.
PARKING
Long term parking in large cities like Rome
and Milan can be expensive. Check if your
hotel provides free or good rate parking.
For every day parking spaces be careful
in the centri storici (historic centers)
which often have restricted circulation
zones and are mostly for residents. It is
best to park in the designated lots, usually
payment is by a time period and you will
receive a time slip on entrance through
an automated machine. Some have a parcometro
(metered parking) where you put coins into
a machine for a stamped ticket to leave
on the dashboard. Parking in a zona disco
(disk zone) is allowed for limited periods
(from 30 minutes to two hours or more --
the limit is posted). Parking discs for
these zones may be obtained at fuel stations,
tourist offices, and motor club offices.
When parked in these zones from 9am to 2.30pm
and 4pm-8pm Mon-Sat (except holidays) your
vehicle must display a parking disc. Maximum
parking time during these periods is one
hour. Some cities also have Green Zones
or Zona Verde where parking is prohibited
from 8am to 9.30am and from 2.30pm to 4pm
on weekdays.
TOLLS
The autostrada's (motorways) require tolls
but can easily be avoided. Take a good map
and learn to identify the kinds of roads.
If you find yourself at a toll booth, a
ticket is issued upon entering the autostrada
and generally the toll is paid when you
exit. Tolls (except in Sicily) can be paid
with cash or a Viacard. Motorists can purchase
a €25 Viacard from toll booths, fuel stations,
some banks, tourist offices, and tobacconists.
Viacards are accepted on all routes except
the A18 and A20. At automatic barriers,
the card should be inserted into a slot
on the controlling machine.
BUYING A CAR
Most travellers will do this before they
get to Italy.This can be a good option if
you are travelling longterm and want best
use of your money. If you get a van you
can also sleep in it. For those travelling
in Europe most people will buy their car
in the United Kingdom. Look in Auto Trader,
Exchange and Mart and Loot which advertise
second hand vehicles. On Market Street in
London (Caledonian Road tube) there is an
an informal traveller's van and car market.
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ADVICE ON CAR RENTAL
Usually you must be at least 21 years of
age to rent a car and may be asked to pay
by credit card.Most of the cards are in
good condition and will generally be Astras
or FIAT or similar. Average rates in Rome
for hiring a car begin at around $70 a day
and $210 a week for an economy car with
air-conditioning, a manual transmission,
and unlimited mileage. Check what the terms
are for hiring. Check for things like the
maximum number of kilometres specified as
you pay so much money per kilometre over.
There are always individual policy differences
about the fuel (i.e you return it full or
empty depending on what you arrange), and
vehicle insurance.
Always do some shopping around to compare
prices.
Backpackitaly.com sells car hire through
Auto
Europe which has worldwide car rental
services. We ask that you consider purchasing
your car hire through them as this revenue
goes back into improving this site.
Auto Europe also have scheduled air from
the USA to Europe, 2,000+ three and four
star hotels, prestige and sports car rentals,
hotel bookings, chauffeur drive and transfer
services, European and South Pacific Motorhome
Rentals, and European cellular phone rentals.
Emergency Services
ACI Emergency Service offers 24-hour road
service. Dial 116 from any phone, 24 hours
a day, to reach the ACI dispatch operator.
When you rent your car they will provide
you with phone numbers for road side service.
Check your policy to see what cover you
get (i.e is accommodation included if you
have car difficulties etc). Check also to
see if the country has a 24-road service
available.
