Driving in Italy: what UK drivers need to know

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Saturday, 1 Aug 2026 21:38 0 3 autotech

Taking your car to Italy, or hiring one when you get there? Here’s what UK motorists should check before setting off.

Italy is one of Europe’s great driving destinations, but it’s not always an easy one. The country has dramatic scenery, historic cities, coastal roads, mountain passes and a large motorway network, so a car can be a brilliant way to see more than the usual tourist stops.

Quick checklist before driving in Italy

Documents you need to drive in Italy

You must carry your full UK driving licence when driving in Italy. For most UK drivers with a photocard licence, you don’t need an International Driving Permit for a short visit to Italy. If you still have a paper licence, or your licence was issued outside Great Britain, check the latest UK government guidance before travelling.

You should also carry your passport. If you are taking your own car, carry proof of insurance and the car’s V5C registration document. If your car is more than three years old, take the MOT certificate as well.

If the car is not registered in your name – for example, if it is leased, financed, hired or borrowed – you should take written permission from the registered keeper. For leased or hired cars, this usually means a VE103 certificate.

You no longer normally need a European insurance “green card” for Italy, but you should still check with your insurer before you go. Some UK policies only provide the minimum third-party cover abroad unless you arrange extended European cover.

Hiring a car in Italy

For many UK visitors, hiring a car in Italy is more realistic than driving all the way from Britain. It’s usually straightforward, but the details matter.

Check the insurance excess before booking. Some rental deals come with a large excess if the car is damaged, stolen or returned with certain types of damage. Tyres, wheels, windscreens, underbody damage, roof damage and lost keys may be excluded from basic cover.

Buying separate car hire excess insurance online before travelling can be quite a bit cheaper, but make sure you understand how it works in the event of a claim. You may still have to pay the rental company first and claim the money back afterwards.

Before driving away, take photos or video of the car, including the wheels, bumpers, glass, roof and interior. Make sure any existing damage is marked on the rental paperwork or app.

Also check whether the car is allowed into restricted traffic zones, whether it can be taken on ferries, and whether you are allowed to drive outside Italy. Cross-border travel into countries such as France, Switzerland, Austria or Slovenia may need permission from the rental company.

Fuel policy matters as well. “Full to full” is usually the simplest arrangement, because you collect the car full and return it full. Other policies can be more expensive or less transparent.

UK stickers and number plates

Your car must show that it’s from the UK. A number plate with a UK identifier and Union flag is accepted in Italy. If your number plate still has a GB badge, an EU flag, a national flag such as England, Scotland or Wales, or no country identifier at all, you’ll need to display a separate UK sticker on the rear of the car.

The old GB sticker is no longer valid for UK cars driving abroad.

Rules of the road

Italy drives in left-hand drive cars on the right side of the road, opposite from the UK. Roundabouts run anticlockwise, overtaking is on the left, and you should move back to the right after passing another vehicle on motorways and dual carriageways.

For UK drivers, the first few miles can feel strange, especially when leaving an airport, ferry port, petrol station or hotel car park. Take it gently at first and pay particular attention at roundabouts, junctions and slip roads.

Do not turn right on a red light unless a sign or signal specifically allows it. Traffic lights don’t work like some countries, where right turns on red are common.

In general, give way to traffic from the right unless signs or road markings say otherwise. Trams and emergency vehicles have priority, and you should take extra care around buses, scooters, cyclists and pedestrians in cities.

Don’t overtake on bends, near the brow of a hill, at junctions, at pedestrian crossings, or where visibility is poor. A solid white line means you must not cross it – all of which is common sense and the same as driving here in the UK.

Mobile phone use while driving is not allowed unless you are using a hands-free system. Headphones and earphones are not allowed if they stop you hearing traffic or emergency warnings. Set up your navigation, music and calls before moving off.

Daytime running lights or dipped headlights are required outside built-up areas and on motorways, even during the day. Most modern cars will handle this automatically, but check before you drive off.

Seatbelts must be worn where fitted. Children under 150cm tall must use a suitable approved child restraint for their size and weight. If you are travelling with children, it’s safest to bring appropriate seats with you or confirm in advance that your rental company can supply suitable equipment.

Speed limits in Italy

Italy uses kilometres per hour, not miles per hour. Speed limits can vary by road type, vehicle type, weather and local signs, so always follow the signs in front of you.

Unless signs say otherwise, the usual limits for cars are:

Road type	Speed limit
Built-up areas	50km/h (31mph)
Secondary roads outside built-up areas	90km/h (55mph)
Main roads outside built-up areas	110km/h (68mph)
Motorways/autostrade	130km/h (80mph)

Some urban roads may have lower limits, including 30km/h zones in city centres or residential areas. On some suitable urban roads, the limit may be higher than 50km/h if clearly signed.

In poor weather, motorway limits may be lower. On wet roads, the usual maximum is reduced to 110km/h on motorways and 90km/h on main extra-urban roads.

Speed cameras and average-speed systems are common. Italy’s Tutor system measures average speed over sections of motorway, so slowing down for one camera and then speeding up again may not help.

Fines can be higher at night, and foreign drivers can still be pursued for penalties after returning home. Don’t assume that a UK number plate protects you.

Speed camera detector devices are not allowed. Some navigation systems show fixed cameras as points of interest, but do not rely on old device advice. Check the current rules for any satnav or phone app you plan to use.

Alcohol limits

Italy has a lower drink-drive limit than England, Wales and Northern Ireland (but the same as Scotland). The standard blood alcohol limit is 0.5g/l.

For new drivers who have held their licence for less than three years, drivers under 21 and professional drivers, the limit is zero.

The simplest advice is also the safest: if you are driving, don’t drink. Even a small amount of alcohol can affect judgement and reaction times, especially when you are driving on the right, reading unfamiliar signs and dealing with busy urban traffic, scooters or mountain roads.

Italian police can carry out roadside checks, and penalties can be serious.

Autostrade, tolls and breakdowns

Italy’s motorway network is extensive, and many motorways are toll roads. These are usually marked as autostrade and often have an A-number.

On most toll motorways, you take a ticket when you enter and pay when you leave. Payment can usually be made by card or cash, although lanes vary. Look carefully before choosing a toll lane, especially if you are in a right-hand-drive car and travelling without a passenger.

Telepass lanes are for drivers with the relevant electronic toll device. Do not enter a Telepass-only lane unless you know your car or rental vehicle is set up for it.

If you break down, move as far away from traffic as safely possible. Put on your high-visibility jacket before leaving the car, use your hazard lights, place the warning triangle if it is safe to do so, and move passengers away from the road.

European breakdown cover is strongly recommended if you are taking your own car. Recovery, storage, replacement transport and bringing a car back to the UK can become expensive very quickly.

If you’re in a hire car, contact the rental company once everyone is safe. Do not arrange repairs yourself unless the rental company has told you to do so.

Restricted traffic zones in Italian cities

The most important Italy-specific trap for visitors is the ZTL, or zona a traffico limitato. These are restricted traffic zones, often found in historic city centres.

ZTLs are not the same as ordinary low-emission zones. They may restrict access by time of day, vehicle type, permit status or local resident rights. Cameras monitor entrances, and fines can arrive months after your trip.

This is a major issue in places such as Rome, Florence, Milan, Bologna, Pisa, Siena and many smaller historic towns. The signs can be easy to miss if you are concentrating on traffic, pedestrians, scooters or navigation instructions.

Do not assume that a hotel booking gives you automatic access. Some hotels can register a guest’s vehicle for limited ZTL access, but this needs to be arranged properly and usually only covers specific routes or times.

If you are hiring a car, the fine may go to the rental company first. The rental company may then charge an administration fee on top of the penalty.

The simplest advice is to avoid driving into historic city centres unless you have checked the rules in advance. Use hotel parking, park-and-ride, public transport or a car park outside the restricted zone where possible.

Winter driving and mountain roads

Italy has winter equipment rules on many roads, particularly in northern regions, mountain areas and sections of the motorway network. Requirements can vary by road and province, but many routes require winter tyres or snow chains during the winter season, often from mid-November to mid-April.

Do not assume that Italy is only a warm-weather destination. Alpine areas, the Dolomites, the Apennines and higher routes can bring snow, ice and sudden weather changes.

If you’re taking your own car, check whether your tyres are suitable and whether you need to carry snow chains. If you’re hiring a car in winter, confirm what equipment is included and whether it all meets the legal requirements for your planned route.

Mountain roads can be narrow and winding, with steep drops, tight hairpins and local traffic that knows the road better than you do. Use lower gears on long descents, take your time and don’t let faster traffic pressure you into driving beyond your comfort level.

What you must carry in the car

You should carry a warning triangle and a high-visibility jacket when driving in Italy. Keep the jacket inside the car where it’s easily accessible, not buried under luggage in the boot.

Your headlights must not dazzle oncoming traffic. Some modern cars allow you to switch the beam pattern or tourist mode through the settings menu. Others may need stick-on beam deflectors.

A first-aid kit and spare bulbs are sensible to carry, even where they’re not legally required. Many European driving kits include a warning triangle, high-visibility jacket, beam deflectors and other useful items, but check the contents rather than assuming everything is covered.

Parking in Italy

Parking rules vary by town and city, and enforcement can be strict. Do not park near bends, junctions, pedestrian crossings, cycle lanes, bus stops, tram lines, loading areas, pavements, garage entrances or driveways.

You may see signs saying passo carrabile near entrances. These indicate vehicle access points where parking may lead to your car being towed.

Blue lines usually mean paid parking. White lines often indicate free parking, although there may still be time limits or local restrictions. Yellow lines usually indicate reserved parking, such as spaces for residents, disabled drivers, taxis, loading or official vehicles.

You should normally park on the right-hand side of the road, facing the direction of travel. Parking on the left may be allowed on one-way streets, but check signs and markings.

In tourist areas and historic towns, it’s often easier to use a car park outside the centre than to look for on-street parking. This also reduces the risk of accidentally entering a ZTL.

Fuel, charging and route planning

Petrol is called benzina, diesel is gasolio, and LPG is GPL. Petrol, diesel and LPG are widely available, although rural areas and mountain routes need more planning.

Fuel stations on motorways and main roads are common, but prices can be higher on the autostrada than away from it. Some stations have attended and self-service prices, with self-service often cheaper.

If you are driving an electric car, Italy’s public charging network has improved, but coverage and reliability can vary by region. Plan charging stops before you travel, especially if you are heading into rural areas, mountain regions or the south. Take more than one payment option and check whether your charging app or RFID card works in Italy.

In summer, plan around heat as well as distance. Keep water in the car, avoid running the fuel or battery too low, and be realistic about long journeys in very high temperatures.

Emergency numbers in Italy

If you need emergency help in Italy, dial 112. This is the European emergency number and can be used for ambulance, fire or police assistance.

The European emergency number 112 can be called free of charge from a mobile or landline. You should be able to get help in English, although this may depend on where you are and who answers the call.

If you break down on a motorway or fast road, don’t stay in the car if it’s unsafe. Put on your high-visibility jacket, move everyone away from traffic if possible, and call for help from a safe place.

If you are in a hire car, contact the rental company once everyone is safe. Do not arrange repairs yourself unless the rental company has told you to do so.

Common mistakes by UK drivers in Italy

The biggest mistake is driving into a ZTL without realising it. These zones are common in historic centres, and the fine may not arrive until long after you are back in the UK.

The second is choosing the wrong toll lane. Take your time at autostrada toll plazas and avoid Telepass-only lanes unless your vehicle is set up for them.

The third is underestimating city traffic. Scooters, pedestrians, buses, taxis and delivery vehicles can appear from all directions, and a right-hand-drive car can make visibility harder at junctions, barriers and car park machines.

Rental-car insurance is another common trap. Check the excess, photograph the car, understand what is excluded and know who to call if something goes wrong.

Finally, do not underestimate distances and terrain. Italy may look straightforward on a map, but mountains, coastal roads, city traffic and summer heat can make journeys slower and more tiring than expected.

Final checklist for driving in Italy

Before leaving the UK, check that you have:

Driving licence
Passport
V5C registration document, if taking your own car
Proof of insurance
MOT certificate, if required
UK sticker or UK number plate identifier
VE103 or written permission, if needed
Warning triangle
High-visibility jacket
Headlamp beam adjustment or deflectors
Winter tyres or snow chains, if needed
European breakdown cover
First-aid kit
Torch
Phone charging cable
Offline maps or paper map
Water and screenwash

If you are hiring a car, check before driving away that you have:

Rental agreement
Insurance and excess details
Emergency contact number for the rental company
Fuel policy
Cross-border permission, if needed
Required safety equipment
Photos or video of any existing damage

Italy can be a brilliant country to drive in, but it rewards preparation. Check the rules, keep out of restricted city zones unless you are certain you are allowed in, and give yourself more time than the map suggests.

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