Cheap Car Hire & Rental Italy

Italy Driving Tips

Italy has an excellent network of roads and highways that is one of the most extensive in Europe comprising nearly 4000mi to 6400km of express highways and 180,000 km to 288,000 km of secondary roads. The roads in Italy are very good and it has a fine network of motorways and these motorways are heavily tolled in comparision to other countries. There are some good network of state roads and tourist can avoid the motorways and the provincial roads will bring you into the real Italian countryside.

The Italians drive on the right hand side and overtake on the left, and if you are stopped for a traffic voilation police are empowered to collect fines on the spot. The minimum age limit for driving in Italy is 18 years and an international driving licence is required. The speed limit in the city is 30mph to 50kph, on open roads it is 66mph to 110kph and on the highways it is 81mph to 130 kph. Fuel stations are opened from 7am to 12.30 pm and from 3.30pm to 7pm and most of the fuel stations are closed on Sundays. There are also 24 hour fuel stations on the highway. Parking is on the right hand side.

Motorways are denoted by A before the road number and the state roads are represented by SS. All the Autostrade are toll roads and cost are totally dependant on how far you travel and on the size of the vechile. Seat belts are compulsory in Italy and passengers in the rear seat is also required to fasten their seat belt as it is illegal to travel without fastening seat belts. Some of the important documents are to be carried by you while driving- driving licence, insurance certificates, vehicle registration papers with proof of ownership. Drinking and driving is an offence, the legal alcohol level for driving in Italy is 0.08% and if it is more then it is a serious crime resulting in heavy criminal penalities.

Make sure that your vehcile is fully serviced and everything is working properly, headlight, signals, breaks and etc. Avoid driving in the dark especially in the rural areas and always park your vehcile in places that have good light and lock the doors. Avoid driving in the wet and windy weather or if possible stop and wait for the weather to settle down.