{"id":156508,"date":"2025-07-21T10:34:39","date_gmt":"2025-07-21T10:34:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/all-car-news.com\/on-car-vacation-to-italy-heres-what-you-really-need-to-watch-out-for\/"},"modified":"2025-07-21T10:34:39","modified_gmt":"2025-07-21T10:34:39","slug":"on-car-vacation-to-italy-heres-what-you-really-need-to-watch-out-for","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/all-car-news.com\/en\/on-car-vacation-to-italy-heres-what-you-really-need-to-watch-out-for\/","title":{"rendered":"On car vacation to Italy: here’s what you really need to watch out for"},"content":{"rendered":"
Traffic rules<\/h2>\n
At first glance, Italian traffic rules are quite similar to Dutch ones. You drive on the right there, the speed limits are fairly clear, and there too: no talking on the phone behind the wheel. But note the following differences: <\/p>\n
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Speed:<\/strong> on freeways in Italy you are usually allowed 130 km\/h unless otherwise indicated. In rain or poor visibility, this drops to 110 km\/h. <\/li>\n
Speed cameras:<\/strong> Italy is known for having speed cameras that are barely visible. Note that nowadays fines are often sent neatly to the Netherlands. <\/li>\n
Safety vest and warning triangle:<\/strong> must be carried in the car. If you do not have them with you during an inspection, you risk a fine. <\/li>\n
Children:<\/strong> children under 5 feet tall must be in an approved child seat.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Toll roads in Italy<\/h2>\n
Who says Italy, says Autostrade<\/em>. The country has an extensive network of toll roads(strade a pedaggio<\/em>), which are well maintained, but expensive. You pay tolls per route, which can add up considerably if you drive all the way south. <\/p>\n
Here’s how it works:<\/p>\n
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When entering a toll road, you take a ticket.<\/li>\n
When exiting the toll road, you insert that same ticket into the pay machine.<\/li>\n
You pay by cash, debit or credit card.<\/li>\n
Sometimes there are separate lanes for people with Telepass<\/strong>: an electronic toll badge for locals. So those lanes should be avoided if you are driving without a badge. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Want an indication of the cost? A trip from Milan to Rome costs about 40 euros in tolls with an average passenger car. Don’t forget your fuel costs and any vignettes in other countries. <\/p>\n
Environmental stickers and environmental zones<\/h2>\n
More and more Italian cities have so-called ZTL zones<\/strong>(Zona a Traffico Limitato<\/em>). These are car-free areas where you are not allowed to drive, usually in historic city centers such as Florence, Rome, Bologna or Pisa. <\/p>\n
What you need to know about ZTL zones:<\/p>\n
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They are usually only accessible to residents, cabs and emergency services.<\/li>\n
The zones are strictly controlled with cameras. You are immediately flashed if you drive into them unlawfully. <\/li>\n
Fines range from 70 to over 100 euros and are also neatly sent to the Netherlands – including administrative fees.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
You don’t need an environmental sticker like in Germany or France, but you do need to watch out if you enter a ZTL. Tip: set your navigation to ‘avoid ZTL’ or use an app like Waze that recognizes these zones. <\/p>\n
Parking in Italy<\/h2>\n
Parking rules in Italy can be confusing, but it helps if you know what the colored lines on the street mean:<\/p>\n
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White:<\/strong> free parking (rare, but it exists).<\/li>\n
Blue:<\/strong> paid parking.<\/li>\n
Yellow:<\/strong> reserved for permit holders or specific vehicles (i.e. not parking).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Also watch for signs with restrictions on market days or cleanup: unsuspecting parking on a Tuesday night could mean your car is on the tow truck or behind a market stall Wednesday morning.<\/p>\n
Required in the car<\/h2>\n
In addition to the previously mentioned safety vest and warning triangle, you are also required to carry the following in Italy:<\/p>\n
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A valid driver’s license (European driver’s license is sufficient).<\/li>\n
The car’s registration certificate.<\/li>\n
A green card (not required, but useful in case of damage).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Driving with flip-flops or bare feet is not officially prohibited, but is not recommended. However, should you be involved in an accident, this may factor into the assessment of your liability. <\/p>\n