Renting a Car in Italy
Car rental in Italy can be pricey, especially in high season and in smaller towns. In bigger cities there are savings to be made. By booking in advance and shopping around, you can rent a small car for a week for under £100. Local firms can be less expensive and often have an office at the airport. Generally, the best deals are to be had by arranging things in advance.
Information for Renting a Car in Italy
You need to be over 21 to rent a car in Italy. You will need a credit card to act as a deposit when picking up your vehicle. If booking with a small local company, be sure to check whether CDW is included in the price before booking. Sat nav systems are available to rent with cars from many outlets and as always, be sure to reserve in advance.
Camper Van Rental
Camper van or mobile home holidays are in Italy are growing in popularity. They are convenient, facilities in campsites are usually dependable, and more and more resorts have created free camper-van parking areas (sosta camper). Blurent, Comocaravan and Magicamper are among the companies offering reasonably new quality vehicles for rent. Prices are usually around €900 for a four-berth vehicle for a week in high season, with unlimited mileage.
Driving Around Italy
Driving is one of the best ways to travel around Italy. It is a great place for a self drive holiday, though cities and their ring roads can be hard work. The roads are good and the motorway network is very comprehensive. Italian drivers are also less erratic than their reputation suggests.
Driving in cities should be avoided whenever possible as congestion, complex one-way systems and confusing signage can make it a less than relaxing experience. Out of the towns, there are stunning rural routes like the Passo dello Stelvio in the Ortles mountains, which many claim to be one of Europe’s best drives.
Traffic can be heavy on main roads and appalling in city centres. During rush hour, roads in and around the major cities can be gridlocked and are best avoided.
Although Italians are by no means the world’s worst drivers they don’t win any safety prizes either. The secret is to make it very clear what you’re going to do and then do it. A particular danger for unaccustomed drivers is the large number of scooters that can appear suddenly from the blind spot or dash across junctions and red lights with alarming recklessness.
Rules for Driving in Italy
Rules of the road are straightforward. Italians drive on the right and give way to vehicles coming from the right. The speed limits are 50km/hr in built-up areas, 110km/hr on dual carriageways (90km/hr when it’s raining) and 130km/hr on autostradas (110km/hr in the rain). For camper vans, these limits are 50km/hr, 80km/hr and 100km/hr respectively. Drivers need to have their dipped headlights on at all times when using any road outside a built-up area. Drinking and driving is illegal, so do not do it.
Zona Traffico Limitato
The majority of Italian towns and villages have a Zona Traffico Limitato (ZLT; restricted traffic area), where access is for residents only. These zones are marked by a red-rimmed circular road sign giving the hours and days of the limitation and are vigorously enforced, often by police on the ground as well as by cameras.
Legal requirements
If you’re bringing your own car, as well as current insurance, you need a valid driving license and an international driving permit if you’re a non-EU licence holder. It is important to carry your car documents and passport when driving as failure to provide them if stopped by the police, can result in a fine on the spot. It is also obligatory to carry a warning triangle and a fluorescent jacket in case of breakdown.
Snow tyre and chains
It is a legal requirement to have snow tyres or chains on board between mid-November and mid-April when travelling on motorways. You can incur a hefty fine if you are not suitably equipped.