Bella italia is always worth a trip – whether it’s the vibrant capital of rome, the popular lake garda, the lagoon city of venice or the island of sardinia. The best way to travel the country is with a rental car. We have provided you with an overview of the most important traffic rules and tolls. Of course, we also have a few tips for your vacation in italy.
Renting a car in italy – here’s what you need to know
In Italy, you will find the most popular car rental companies, which you also know from Germany. The offers and also the rental services are very different. We have summarized the most important aspects for you:
- Minimum age of the driver: most of the rental companies require the driver to be at least. 18 years as his. However, the age can also vary depending on the class of vehicle.
- Novice drivers: there are sometimes extra fees if the driver has only had his driver’s license for 1 year.
- Credit card: most rental companies require you to provide a credit card, which is used, among other things, to pay the security deposit. This can sometimes be up to 2.be 000€.
- driving license: in italy you don’t need an international driving license, according to the foreign office, the german driving license is sufficient.
- fueling regulations: most of the time you get the car with a full tank and have to return it like this.
- Second drivers: usually there is a surcharge if more than one driver is to be registered.
- Return: pay attention to the return times. Especially if your flight leaves very early in the morning, you should clarify when you can return it. Stations are often closed at night.
- Insurance: take a close look at which services are included and whether you have to pay a deductible.
- Free kilometers: depending on the offer, you are only allowed to drive a certain number of kilometers per day.
The most important traffic rules in italy briefly explained
in general, the traffic rules in italy do not differ much from those in germany, but there are a few peculiarities typical of the country.
Speeds limits
- On highways 130 km/h
- On high-speed roads 110 km/h
- Within built-up areas 50 km/h
- 90 km/h on country roads
Parking regulations in italy
Finding a parking space in italy can quickly become a problem; this is of course especially true in the big cities. Parking here is not only disproportionately expensive, but often even forbidden to tourists. Look out for the white curb strips, because you can park here free of charge.
Parking areas marked in pink are reserved exclusively for pregnant women or mothers with small children.
If the parking space is marked with blue stripes, it is subject to parking fees. You should definitely take out a parking ticket here, because Italy is the international leader in the distribution of parking tickets. So if you don’t want to unnecessarily reduce your vacation budget, it’s better to pay the few euros for the parking ticket.
Under no circumstances should you park your rental car in a black and yellow marked area, as parking is absolutely prohibited here.
If you need your rental car primarily to visit the big cities in italy, it should be as small a city car as possible, with which you can still get a parking space. Even with this car you should be aware of the moped and scooter drivers, who are numerous in the italian cities. They like to squeeze between the cars, so watch out!! Increased caution is also required at traffic circles in italy. Although "right before left" applies here as well, most italians only adhere to this rule to a limited extent.
Another special feature you should be aware of in italy: on mountain roads of all kinds, scheduled buses always have the right of way!
Other important traffic rules
But what else should you pay attention to in order not to attract negative attention on vacation in italy?? It is important, for example, that you also switch on the dipped headlights of your rental car during the day outside built-up areas. When purchasing your rental car, make sure that it is equipped with a yellow warning vest, as this is also frequently checked in Italy.
Special accessories, such as a navigation device or a child seat, should be specified when you make your reservation, so that they are also available on the day of pick-up. If you are traveling with children under the age of twelve, you should know that in italy they are required to have a child seat. The same applies if the child is smaller than 1.50 meters.
fines in italy
The fines in italy are quite high. This applies in particular to driving under the influence of alcohol: in this case, not only can the rental car and driver’s license be confiscated, but in the worst case, the driver may even be sentenced to prison. the blood alcohol limit in italy is 0.5 per mille.
In general, the fines in Italy are quite steep, as the following list shows:
- Speeding by up to 10 km/h: fine between 34 and 140 euros
- Speeding by up to 20 km/h: fine from 150 euros
- Excessive speed up to 40 km/h: fine from 357 euro
- Making calls without a hands-free device: fines starting at 155 euros
- Running a red light: fine starting at 150 euro
- Disregarding an overtaking ban: fine from 75 euros
- Parking in a no-parking zone: fines starting at 35 euro
- drink-drive limit exceeded: fines starting at 530 euros
- Not wearing a seatbelt: fine from 80 euro onwards
Data serve for orientation. No guarantee.
Toll regulations in italy: this is how it works
Unlike in germany, most of the highways in italy are subject to tolls. Italy is considered to be one of the first countries in europe to introduce tolls. As early as 1924, a charge was levied for the use of the A8 here.
Which routes are subject to tolls?
In italy you will hardly get around the payment of the toll, after all there are approx. 5.700 kilometers affected. In most cases, freeways (autostrada) but also bridges and tunnels are subject to tolls. Expressways are usually free to drive on. In general, you will be asked to pay more in the north of Italy than in the south. on the island of sicily, there are no tolls at all on freeways.
If you are planning a city tour to milan or bologna, you will have to pay for the use of the roads here as well. The so-called ecopass is valid between 7:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.; the fee depends on the emission class of the vehicle. Costs between two and five euros per day are to be expected. thank god, bologna and milan are currently the only two cities that charge such a city toll for the inner city area.
How to pay the toll?
There are two different systems for calculating tolls in Italy:
The most common is the closed system, in which the amount to be paid depends on the distance traveled and the type of vehicle. On the other hand, there is the so-called open system, where a lump sum is charged. This system is often used in urban areas.
On highways, the closed system is preferred. On average, you pay seven cents per kilometer traveled on Italian highways. So if you travel 500 kilometers on highways, you’ll quickly be out 35 euros. You will not receive a vignette, but you will have to pay for the use of the freeway after leaving the freeway. The toll can be paid in cash or by credit card, although this payment method is not always available.
Payment via telepass is particularly fast: this is an electric device known as an on-board unit. When the vehicle passes the toll station, it is automatically recognized and the amount is debited from the account. It is essential to find out beforehand which lane you have to use to pay the toll. This is important because turning or backing into a lane can result in fines of up to 6.000 euros in fines. The yellow lane, for example, is exclusively for car owners who have chosen the telepass as their payment method. In the blue lane, you can only pay with a debit or credit card, but not in cash. If you want to pay the toll in cash, choose the white lane.
Also interesting: if you also want to visit the lagoon city of venice, you have to park your car in one of the three parking garages at piazzale roma – venice itself is completely car-free. But who doesn’t like to exchange their car for a gondola that takes you around the city?.