Italy traffic rules and self driving car rental tips

Italy traffic rules and self driving car rental tips | QEEQ

The complete Italy driving and rental guide

Its excellent road conditions and highway network makes Italy an ideal country to discover by car. Here is a brief guide we have prepared to help you ease your trip.

Speed Limit and Traffic Signs
Driving in Italy is on the right-hand side of the road and you should overtake from the left. Horns must be used in moderation, and honking is prohibited in built-up areas unless there is an emergency. Dipped headlights must be used on two-lane motorways at all times.
- Speed Limit
  Speed limits for cars and motorbikes (vehicles with engine size over 150 cc) depend on the types of roads, and are of:
  
  - 50 km/h (31 mph) in urban areas
  
  - 90 km/h (56 mph) on minor out-of-town roads
  
  - 110 km/h (68 mph) on major out-of-town roads
  
  - 130 km/h (81 mph) on motorways.
  
  In the event of rain on snow, the limit is lowered to 110 km/h on motorways and 90 km/h on trunk roads.
- Traffic Signs
  Traffic signs in Italy follow the general European conventions and can be basically sorted into four types: regulatory signs, warning signs, information signs and direction signs.
  
  Regulatory Signs
  Italian regulatory signs mostly feature a circular shape, with some exceptions.
  Give Way Stop and Give Way Stop, Pay Toll Stop, Police Roadblock No U-turn No Overtaking Maximum Speed 30 km/h
  
  Warning signs
  In Italy, warning signs are in regular triangular shape with red border and white background.
  Uneven Road Pedestrian Crossing Ahead Wild Animals Level Crossing With Barriers or Gates Ahead Level Crossing Without Barriers or Gates Ahead
  
  Information Signs
  Italian information signs are usually rectangular with blue or brown background.
  Tunnel Hospital First Aid Youth Hostel
  
  Direction Signs
  Direction signs in Italy feature a rectangular shape with different background colors to indicate the type of road that is being directed to, which is: green for motorways, white for urban roads and blue for the others.
  Motorway Direction Primary or Secondary Road Direction Urban Area Direction
Seatbelt and Child Safety
- Seatbelt Laws
  All passengers both in front and rear seats are required to wear a seat belt in Italy. Failure to do will result in a fine from €40 to €70.
- Booster Seat Laws
  Regardless of the weight or age of the children, all children under 150cm must use a UN R44/R129 approved child car seat.
Parking, Fuel and Toll
- Parking
  · Permitted Parking
  
  Parking spots in large cities in Italy can be difficult to find. Try to look for paid parking signs and parking metres to pay and park properly.
  
  White lines on the parking lots mean free parking. In many towns, free parking is allowed in certain time frames and is indicated by a parking sign nearby. You will need to display a parking disc behind the windshield. However, in big cities like Florence, free parking spots are for residents only. In Rome and Milan, such parking lots may be free and open to both residents and tourists as long as you follow the instructions of the parking signs.
  (Image from cinqueterreinsider.com)
  
  Parking in yellow zones is only permitted for taxis, official vehicles or disabled people who have a disabled permit or a European Blue Card.
  
  Parking places with pink lines or a pink parking sign are used to serve expectant mothers and women with infants for both residents and short-term visitors. Although local police cannot really check whether these parking spots are taken by particular drivers, most Italians still respect the rules and will not take up these spots unless there is an emergency.
  
  · Paid Parking
  
  In most Italian cities and towns, blue lines indicate paid street parking. Follow the parking signs to pay and park within the permitted time frame. If no dispenser machines can be found near the parking areas, try asking the tobacco shop or news stands nearby.
  (Image from arizaisaretleri.com)
  
  · Forbidden Parking
  
  In Italy, parking signs feature some words telling you when and where to park.
  
  Accompanied Italian wordings -- “Passo Carrabile” means you are not allowed to park at all times.
  
  Otherwise, certain time frames will be provided together with the “No Parking” and parking signs to indicate prohibited and permitted parking time.
  
  Parking illegally in Italy will result in a car clamping or towing away as well as a fine.
- Fuel Prices
  The average price for gasoline price in Italy was 1.57 Euros per litre in January 2018, while diesel was 1.44.
- Toll
  Tolls are only required when driving on most of the highways. Highways in Italy are marked with the letter A followed by a number in a green octagon.
  
  When entering a toll road, you will receive a ticket from a machine with a sign “Bigliette” standing nearby. Keep this ticket carefully when you are on the highway.
  
  When you reach the exit, lanes marked by different colours mean that there are different ways to pay, namely: Telepass, credit card or cash.
  (Image from euractiv.com)
  
  Telepass is an electronic toll device connected to your Italian bank account, allowing you to pass through without stopping and serving very much alike with the Electronic Tolling System you may find in other countries. It most suits the local drivers.
  
  To pay by credit card, you should provide the ticket you have collected at the entrance and insert it into the auto-collecting machine and then pay with your credit card.
  
  Have a look at this local highway site to calculate the toll fees you may be charged with in Italy.
  
  Note that if you fail to pay the toll in Italy while driving a rented car, the authorities will pass on the infringement information to the car hire company, which will usually add some management fees. However, as not every car hire company can pay your unpaid tolls on your behalf, you are sometimes required to pay for it on your own on the local highway website by entering the notice number. And you are always welcomed to contact QEEQ’ 24/7 customer support team to assist you with this matter.
Traffic Violation
- DUI Laws
  In Italy, drink driving will be treated as severe infringement. The BAC for regular drivers is 0.05% (50mg per 100ml). Breaching 50mg and to 80mg per 100ml will result in a fine between €500 and €2,000 as well as a 3 to 6 months' licence suspension. From 80mg to 150mg, the fine will goes up and from €800 to €3,200, with 6 to 12 months’ licence suspension, or even up to 6 months imprisonment in extreme circumstances.
- Traffic Fines
  Receiving a speeding ticket can be quite often especially for international travellers or short-term visiting drivers. Speed cameras are set up in many places, in big cities as well as small towns, and it is very easy to miss the notice that you have entered into a 50km per hour zone.
  
  Speeding fines in Italy depend on the amount you are over the speed limit, ranging from €41 up for 10km/h to €828 for more than 60km/h. Paying within 5 days after the citation is issued can result in a 30 percent discount.
  
  Note that if you are renting a vehicle in Italy, the unpaid speeding infringement information will be passed onto the car hire company by the authority. In this case, the car hire company will charge you for an additional administrative fee if it is eligible to collect on behalf of the authority.
  
  · The Limited Traffic Zones
  
  Most of the central areas in major Italian cities and towns have Limited Traffic Zones (called Zona Traffico Limitato or ZTL in Italian) for which entrances are usually marked with no vehicle traffic signs and supplementary signs explaining the times of the ban and which categories are excluded. The entrances of the ZTLs are mostly located at crossings, traffic lights or roundabouts and monitored by cameras that register the transiting vehicles.
  (Image from internationalgarage.com)
  
  Use the above sign as an instance. This sign indicates you are not allowed to drive into this area between 7:30 to 19:30 from Monday to Saturday. The crossed hammers on the sign mean these restrictions do not apply on Sunday and holidays. Driving and acting on a safe side is always recommended if you are sure about what exactly the sign indicates.
  
  Fines will be incurred when failing to follow the regulations of the ZTLs and the amount of fine can range from 50 to 150 Euros, varying by city.
  
  To avoid ticketing from the ZTLs, we would recommend the following measures:
  
  - Park your car outside the historical centre of Italian cities and use the public transportation to get there.
  
  - Get a passing certificate from a grocery store and send your plate number and identification number of the passing certificate to the Provincial Office of Motor Vehicles (Ufficio Provinciale della Motorizzazione Civile, UMC) via mobile messages. Each passing certificate costs €5 and is valid for one day.
  
  - Find the “ZTL Parking” lot after entering the ZTL within 20 minutes and your plate number will be taken off the record automatically or manually (note the parking fee is costly).
  
  - Go to the hotel’s front desk and ask them to help to take off your record from the policy if you are staying in a hotel within a ZTL.
  
  - Or just simply avoid the ZTLs by using Google Map or any other navigation soft wares.
Driving Licence and Age Requirements
To rent a car in Italy, the driver need to be in possession of a valid driving license and generally be held for at least 2 years.

All licences issued by the European Union (and Switzerland) are accepted.

Driving licences from non-EU countries are accepted if you have not been in Europe for longer than 6 months. If your domestic driving licence is not in English, an International Driving Permit (IDP/IDL) or an official translation in English is required together with your original driving licence.

The minimum age generally to rent a vehicle in Italy is 18 years old (age may vary by car categories and suppliers).

*IMPORTANT NOTE: Each car hire company has its own requirements. Please check Terms and Conditions of your hire car during the booking process.
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*Please be aware that rules are subject to change. QEEQ.COM will try the best to maintain the accuracy of this information.

Guest reviews

NOLEGGIARE
8.3 - "Over 40 minutes to collect car. Insurance that was pre-purchased we were told was invalid so had to pay again. Card machine would not accept 2 x business credit cards for this payment so had to use personal debit card. We have attempted to get a refund for the initial pre-purchased insurance but have been told on numerous occasions that the booking cannot be found. Terrible customer service!"
SURPRICE RENT A CAR
7.7 - "I really do not understand why collecting a rental car takes so long, if I find a provider that can greatly reduce the wait time then they will be my company of choice"
OK Mobility
9.7 - "Instead of opel corsa we received a bigger car for the same price.One of MG SUV. But only thing that engine was very unpoverfull and slow(probably restricted by car rental company) Was very uncomfortable on the road and some times dangerous.Not suitable for Sardinias up and down roads."
Locauto
10 - "Car was very clean and well presented. Counter staff friendly and easy to talk to. Could not fault the processes for collection or drop off"
NOLEGGIARE
6 - "The desk staff on pick up were really, really bad, and ripped us off. I had all of my documents, and my bank card said ‘MR J LENTON’, this is exactly how the bank issued it and I have no control over that. The staff refused to take my deposit based on that, and wouldn’t explain why, just said company policy. However, they then said they would accept it if I bought their extra insurance for €177 euros. Even though I already had the additional AXA insurance. I asked why having their insurance only made a difference many times and they wouldn’t give an answer, until finally they said ‘the car will then fully be covered, otherwise you’re liable for €1600. I said fine, take a €1600 deposit so then the car is fully covered. They refused. Again no reason, just ‘company policy’. So I solved their problem and they refused it. They continued to say they’d only accept my card if I got their extra insurance. So they have said it’s company policy to absolutely not accept that card. But then they were willing to bend the rules as soon as I gave them €177 for the extra insurance. It’s pure greed, and they held the car at ransom from me to get an upsell. I had to pay it, because I was not getting a car otherwise. So once I paid they let me use the card and put a hold on it, which is the very thing they said their company policy didn’t allow. I believe their practice is highly unethical, immoral, and illegal. I will never use them, nor Qeeq again."
ecovia
7.3 - "we got really good deal, since it was out of season. The car was not in a great shape, but If was really good deal so I could not complain."
NOLEGGIARE
6.3 - "The staff were helpful but slow. I am very dissatisfied at the long delay to get my deposit refunded. I have not received it & the documents say it will be betwen 4 - 8 weeks."
SURPRICE RENT A CAR
8 - "We did not receive the car that we requested. It was a level down.. Toyota Yaris instead of an Audi A3"
B-RENT
7.7 - "Al alquilar el coche no había ningún problema para hacerlo con tarjeta de debito. Cuando llegue a la ventanilla me exigieron contratar el seguro o sino no tendría coche. El seguro costó 7 veces mas que el alquiler."
OK Mobility
7.3 - "friendly staff at drop off. Efficient and professional. "
Alamo
9.3 - "Car was great. Reception staff were helpful."
OPTIMO RENT
7.7 - "Damaged car but they were all itemised on the documents. Only half tank, again was on documents. Not pointed out at the time but wasn't a problem on return. "
OK Mobility
10 - "They were easy to work with. "
Felirent
9 - "Outstanding customer service at the Felirent counter near Malpensa's (MXP) Terminal 1. No hassle pick-up and drop-off from the airport. Very helpful, cheerful and competent staff."
NOLEGGIARE
9.7 - "Service was good "
Easy Car Hire
7 - "Extremely cheap booking but they made it up by charging 14x as much to add an additional driver at the counter. The car had several small scuffs and dings on pick-up but they decided it had an additional scratch on a wing mirror on return - it didn't - and are trying to charge me 90 euros for it."
OPTIMO RENT
10 - "Auto perfetta, una bella ypsilon seminuova"
NOLEGGIARE
8.3 - "Great price so picking up a tatty car was expected. Received the usual targetted sales patter for not only CDW protection but also breakdown! That's a first. Naturally I declined it all. Snow socks not chains but they sufficed. Overall great for the price. Good communication all round"
Sicily By Car
10 - "GOOD, NORMAL"
Locauto
10 - "Counter staff really helpful. Really fast and close to where you check in for your car. Full explanation about the car given and whenever we arrived with the car they just as fast."
Sicily By Car
9.7 - "Il noleggio è andato abbastanza bene, mi è capitato un inconveniente per cui sono stato costretto a contattare l'assistenza stradale e cambiare l'auto. Successivamente ho dovuto prendere un taxi per arrivare in aereoporto a Verona per poter prendere un altro mezzo, mi è stato detto che la corsa mi sarebbe stata rimborsata ma questo non è accaduto mai."
E
8 - "Refuelling condition was supposed to be full to full but they maintained they only do same to same, which is not what my confirmation stated. The staff was uncooperative. "
Sicily By Car
10 - "Sicily by Car was super helpful and fast."
NOLEGGIARE
7 - "Good "
italy car rent
9 - "Smooth rental, except for a bit of confusion finding drop off location. "
RentSmart24
7 - "The car was dirty inside and outside - when we pointed it out, we were told to bring in the similar - dirty - condition. We drove it from Venice to the mountains during winter and it happens to snow it winter, we were not provided winter tires so when we tried to climb a main road during snowing we were stuck on the road. We found a snow-tire socks in the trunk and used them. After returning the we were charged 45 Euro for using those sock. Invoice stated: Penalty for restoring snow chains/snow socks So good luck if you drive in mountains during winter."
SURPRICE RENT A CAR
6 - "Cars are not well looked after. The first car they gave me had a flat tire and they didn't even believe me when i reported it. They have a policy that customer should return the car clean inside out and if not there is a 20€ charge. "
GOLDCAR
7 - "Lancia Ypsilon not as good as Ford Fiesta (per booking expectation) "
Sicily By Car
10 - "Great!"
Sicily By Car
10 - "All good as usual"
Sicily By Car
10 - "Always good to deal with"
Europcar
10 - "Really good team at the counter. Great to deal with "
Centauro
9.3 - "Centauro staff were very friendly and efficient both on collection and return of the rental vehicle. The car was recently acquired, with low mileage and was clean and comfortable."
SURPRICE RENT A CAR
8.3 - "You did not provide enough details about the shuttle from the airport. As a result I had to get a taxi (30 Euro) and on top of that I've lost my jacket in the taxi. I understand the loss is my own responsibility but it took me a while to find a way to the vehicle and I was really tired after the flight. On the way back I already knew the exact location and I knew that a free shuttle bus was circulating between the airport and the vehicle drop off. This information was crucial to the booking."
SURPRICE RENT A CAR
7 - "That wanted to sell their insurance too much. Even though I said that I already have a full cover from Qeeq, they've been saying that it won't cover anything so I have to get theirs. "
Sicily By Car
8.3 - "Easy process, staff helpful."
Keddy by Europcar
7 - "Keddy seems to be the budget arm of Europcar, at Naples airport its managed by the Europcar desk which requires a shuttle bus ride from the terminal, so finding it on arrival is no problem,BUT finding it when returning the car is a nightmare because the entrance is a narrow passage through what looks like building work fencing and is totally unmarked! I only found it because there is a hut at the gate and I stopped to ask the man there where the drop off point is! You can`t see the car park from the road. So be advised to make a note of where it is when you pick up the car! If you are very weary and careful when you collect the car you should have no trouble. Film the car in minute detail with stills and video when collecting it paying particular attention to to lower parts like cills and bumper underparts, because they`ll look for hidden scratches when you return the car! The guy who checked our car went straight to a long scratch on the bumper underside and said "look"! When we collected the car I found a LOT of major scratches not listed on the rental agreement as pre-existing, after filming them all I returned to the office to make sure they were shown as pre-existing. The guy said its fine whats important is that you have a video...... but that`s just a cop out because then later you have to prove that they were already there after they charge you for them, so insist as I did that they mark and sign all of them off on your form before you leave, then you`ll have no problems! When they see they`re not going to be able to pull a fast one on you they don`t try! Pick up and drop off the car in good daylight if possible, otherwise take a strong torch with you when filming. The only gripe is that we booked a Renault and ended up with a Fiat panda with very little room for luggage, but as we were only two and it was a hybrid rather than straight petrol we could live with it! Overall OK just be very weary that these super cheap co. try to make their profits on dodgy damage claims!"
SURPRICE RENT A CAR
4.7 - "El coche estaba sucio (papeles) y se me cobró la limpieza despuesd de devolverlo"
italy car rent
9 - "The car had a few more scratches than were highlighted at pick-up but I took pictures and there were no issues raised at drop-off"
Keddy by Europcar
8.3 - "Good fast and efficeint service at pick and drop off. will definitely use again"
NOLEGGIARE
9 - "I hoped for luxes but i get MG "
Rental Plus
10 - "Excellent service, friendly and helpful staff."
Keddy by Europcar
7 - "I was absolutely surprised that to rent the car I booked I would have needed two credit card. It wasn't mentioned anywhere on QEEQ.COM (the 3rd parties where I booked the car) and I had to take what I was allowed to instead of what I paid for."
Target Rent Italy
8 - "Everything was good except the point of collection and drop off. Would be very happy to use this company again. "
Alamo
9.3 - "I read a few reviews which advised against using Alamo but to be honest I couldn't fault it. The staff were helpful, the vehicle was great and we had a trouble free holiday. They don't make a big fuss on returning the car, they just walk round and make sure there is no perceptible damage that wasn't there before and sign it off. All perfectly standard and normal practice. Thank you will use again, exceptionally good value and service."
Europcar
8 - "The hotline number in Milano italy can not contact and sms to Qeeq also have nothing to help Not good experience if your car tyre flat or accident if i need help from Europecar"
NOLEGGIARE
8.7 - "Excellent - but they tried harder than other companies to upsell me. "
NOLEGGIARE
3.3 - "Car was damage Car was without fuel and I was in a rush I had to search fast to filled up Car had smoke cigarettes smell Car was not properly cleaned inside "
ABBYCAR
8 - "car was efficient for my needs."
B-RENT
10 - "great modern car, quick pickup and drop off, couldn't have been better"

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Frequently asked questions

Q1.What is an insurance excess？
The excess is the amount you'll only be liable for in case of damage(under Collision Damage Waiver) or theft(under Theft Protection) of the vehicle.
Information about the excess will be clearly stated in the price inclusion when you reserve a car on QEEQ.
Q2. How can I add an addtional driver?
You are advised to make a request upon your arrival at the rental counter. Additional charge per day will incur unless '1 Additional Driver Included' is stipulated on the rental.
Please note that the same licence and age requirement applys to the additonal driver. The addtional driver is supposed to present the required licence document along with the main driver at pickup.
Q3.What if I want to pick up or drop off my rental car out of office hours?
QEEQ will show you the car offers available at your chosen time on the search results.
However, pick-up or drop-off out of general opening hours may subject to an extra fee unless self-service pick-up or drop-off is available.
After you reserve a car on QEEQ, we will inform you of specific policy of the car hire company by email.
Q4. Can I take the hired car to another country or cross border?
If you want to pick up your car in one country and drop it in another, your search results will show you cars you can do that with.
If you're planning to cross any borders during your trip, bear in mind:
1. You may have to pay more.
There are often extra fees, taxes or additional cover you'll pay at the car hire counter.
2.It may not be allowed.
Depending on where you're hiring, you may not be able to take your car to another country.
Please email us if you want to take your hire car into a different country during your trip, and we'll talk you through your options.
Q5. Can I pick up my car at one location and return it at different location?
Yes. You can pick up the vehicle in one place and drop it off in another. An ‘one-way fee’ will incur. Whether it is inclued in the rental price or what additional cost may arise will be clearly stated at the time of booking on QEEQ.
Please inform the car hire company of your drop-off location when you pick up the vehicle or contact them directly during your trip. You will find a phone number on the rental agreement you signed at pickup.