Italy

Italia · Capital Rome · € EUR · +39

Drives on the
right

Last reviewed 2026-05-10 by AI-draft → Semir K review. Always verify with official sources before travelling — see references at the bottom of the page.

Rules of the road

Urban speed limit
50 km/h
Rural speed limit
90 km/h
Motorway speed limit
130 km/h (wet 110)
Alcohol limit (BAC)
0.05 g/L (novice 0.00)
Minimum driving age
18
Headlights by day
Always
Mobile phone
Hands-free only. Repeat offences may suspend the licence.
Dashcam legal
Yes
Radar detector legal
No
On-the-spot fines
Yes

Child seats: Approved restraint up to 150cm; under-12 cannot travel in front passenger seat unless boostered.

  • Headlights must be ON outside built-up areas, day and night.
  • Some sections of A22 have lower limits during pollution episodes.
  • ZTL (limited-traffic zones) are heavily camera-enforced in historic city centres — non-residents fined automatically.

Mandatory equipment

Warning triangle
Required
Hi-vis vest
Required × 1
First-aid kit
Not required
Fire extinguisher
Not required
Breathalyser
Not required
Spare bulbs
Not required
Headlamp converters (RHD)
Required

Snow chains / winter tyres: Mandatory winter tyres or chains 15 Nov–15 Apr in many regions and on signed mountain routes.

Hi-vis note: One vest per vehicle; must be worn outside the car when stopping on motorway.

  • Carry V5C / vehicle log book and insurance certificate.

Documents you must carry

Licences accepted
EU, UK, IDP, national
International Driving Permit
Not required
Insurance Green Card
Not required
Vehicle registration (V5C)
Required
MOT certificate
Not required
  • UK licences accepted without IDP for short visits.

Emergency & breakdown

EU 112
Active
Police
112 (Carabinieri 112, Polizia 113)
Ambulance
118
Fire
115

Roadside assistance

Fuel & EV charging

Petrol 95 (avg)
€1.82/L
Diesel (avg)
€1.74/L
LPG (avg)
€0.79/L

EV plug standards: Type2, CCS, CHAdeMO, Tesla.

Major networks: Enel X Way, Be Charge, Ionity, Tesla Supercharger, A2A.

  • Coverage strong in the north, thinner in the south and on islands.

Parking, congestion & low-emission zones

Parking disc: Not generally required — Strisce blu = paid parking; bianche = free; gialle = residents/disabled only.

Congestion charges

  • Milan (Area C)
    €5/day inside the central perimeter, weekdays 07:30–19:30. Pre-pay online or via app.

Low-emission zones

  • Milan (Area B)Fine ~€165
    Diesel Euro 5 and below banned weekdays 07:30–19:30 across most of the city.
  • BolognaFine ~€90
    ZTL Bologna — restricted-traffic zone in centre; non-resident vehicles need permit.
  • FlorenceFine ~€90
    ZTL camera-enforced 7 days a week. Many B&Bs can register a temporary permit for guests.
  • RomeFine ~€100
    Multiple ZTLs — Centro Storico, Trastevere, San Lorenzo. Non-residents barred at most hours.
  • NaplesFine ~€90
    ZTL covers historic centre; older vehicles and non-residents restricted.
  • Italian ZTLs are the single biggest source of unexpected fines for foreign drivers.

Ferries & major tunnels

Major ferry routes

  • Genoa–Sardinia/Sicily/Tunis — Genova → multipleGNV / Tirrenia / Moby
  • Civitavecchia–Sardinia — Civitavecchia → OlbiaTirrenia / GNV
  • Messina Strait — Villa San Giovanni → MessinaCaronte / Bluferries

Major tunnels

  • Mont Blanc Tunnel~€50 · IT↔FR. Single ~€50, return €62 (24 h).
  • Fréjus Tunnel~€50 · IT↔FR. Similar to Mont Blanc.
  • Grand St. Bernard~€32 · IT↔CH. Closed November–May (use tunnel).
  • Sicily/Calabria ferries run hourly; book ahead August weekends.

Tolls & vignettes

Toll system
Distance
Operator
Website

Most Italian motorways (autostrade) are tolled — operated by Autostrade per l'Italia and various concessionaires. Take a ticket on entry, pay on exit by cash, card or Telepass. Average ~€0.07–0.08/km for cars; trucks pay multiples.

Pets & border crossings

Pet passport / AHC
Required

EU pet passport / UK AHC required. Up to 5 pets non-commercial.

  • Some breed muzzling rules apply — check the regional law where you'll travel.

References

Profile version 1. Last reviewed 2026-05-10 by AI-draft → Semir K review. Rules change frequently — verify with official sources before travelling.