Italy Car Rental Guide
This page gives you information about car rental in Italy and also introduces the main car rental and driving restrictions valid in the country.
Rental Restrictions
In order to rent a car in Italy, you must be at least 18 years old and have held your license for 1 year. Drivers under the age of 25 may incur a young driver surcharge. Rented cars are not allowed into the following countries: Albania, Belarus, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Russia, Turkey, Ukraine and the republics of the former Yugoslavia.
Driving Restrictions
In Italy, traffic is on the right and passing on the left. The legal driving age is 18 years. Children under 12 years of age must use a special restraint. It is compulsory for all passengers to use seatbelts at all times. The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.8‰.
Headlights for vehicles must be on from half an hour after sunset to half an hour before sunrise and also under bridges and in tunnels. Foglights should only be used in case of poor visibility. You may only use the horn in cases of extreme danger; at night, you should flash your lights instead. Outside built-up areas, the horn must be used to indicate the intention of passing. The middle lane of three or five-lane roads is used for passing.
Generally, vehicles must parked on the right side of the road, if not indicated otherwise.
In order to avoid car thefts, the police are increasingly arranging vehicle checks, for which you have to present your vehicle’s documents as well as your own.
The police are authorised to remove your driving license and to collect fines on the spot.
Speed limits:| Area | Limit |
| Expressways | 110 or 130 KM/H |
| Outside the City | 90 KM/H |
| In the City | 50 KM/H |
Emergency Numbers
Police: 112
Ambulance: 113
Fire: 115
Road Tolls
In Italy, there are tolls on the motorways. You have to obtain a tickets upon entry to the expressway system and pay upon exiting. You can pay the toll in cash or with a Viacard (accepted on all routes except the A18 and A20).
Some useful expressions for tourists visiting Italy
Car - automobile
Car rental – affitto di automobile
Road – una strada
About Italy
Italy is well known over the world for its art and architecture. It combines artistic treasures, friendly people, fascinating history and delicious food. Italy is often called the world’s ‘living art gallery’ and boasts a history of great poets, artists, sculptors and explorers.
Rome, the eternal city, proud of the wealth of the Vatican, the beauty of the Colosseum and many other architectural wonders and beautiful sights.
You can visit the Roman ruins, go skiing in the Alps, enjoy Renaissance art, explore the canals of Venice and visit the small mediaeval hill towns. The Italians are a very friendly and warm people and will welcome you to have a feast of delicious dishes and good wine with them.
Population: 58,057,477
Area: 294,020 sq km
Capital City: Rome
Language: Italian
Time Zone: GMT + 1
Monetary unit: Euro
