Driving in Italy as an American Tourist: A Detailed Guide

Last Updated on January 5, 2026

Thinking about driving in Italy as a tourist? Renting a car can be awesome – or a total headache – depending on where you’re going. In some Italian destinations, driving is chaotic and unnecessary, while others offer a convenient and scenic drive. If you plan to rent a car, there are important things to know about the rental process, road rules, and permit regulations before driving in Italy as an American.

Here’s what you need to know before your trip.

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Should You Rent a Car in Italy?

First of all, it’s important to know that Italy has a great train network connecting most big cities and tourist spots. Generally, if you can get around by train, skip the rental car – they’re just not worth the hassle or cost. It saves money, stress, and time.

Skip the rental car if you’re visiting:

• Large cities like Rome, Milan, Naples, and Turin
• Smaller cities that are well-connected by train, including Florence, Venice, Genoa and Bologna
• The Cinque Terre (cars aren’t even allowed within the towns)
• The Amalfi Coast (unless you like scary cliffside driving)

When is renting a car in Italy worth it?

Cars are best for exploring rural Italy and smaller towns that aren’t as accessible by public transportation, including:

• The Tuscan countryside
• The Dolomites (beyond Bolzano)
• Umbria
• Southern Italy, like Matera or Sicily

You may also want to rent a car for day trips from major cities into the countryside. Remember, you don’t have to rent a car for your entire trip – just the days you need.

Renting a Car in Italy: What you Need

Renting a car in Italy works in much the same way as anywhere else, but there are a few things to be aware of:

• Age requirements – You must be 18 years old to drive, but most rental companies actually require drivers to be at least 21 and may charge extra fees if under 25.
• International Driving Permit in Italy – An International Driving Permit (IDP) is mandatory for non-EU visitors, including Americans. You must get it in your home country before visiting Italy. If you’re from the US, simply go to your local AAA branch to fill out an application and pay a $20 fee. You can purchase your IDP up to six months before your travel date and it is good for one year.
• Driving in Italy with US license – You must have both your IDP – and your US driver’s license – with you while driving in Italy.
• Manual vs. automatic – Most rental cars in Italy have manual transmissions. Automatics cost more and sell out fast, so if you’re not comfortable driving a stick shift, be sure to book early.
• Insurance – Car rentals in Italy automatically include basic Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) and Theft Protection (TP) insurance, but deductibles can be very high. We always pay extra for zero deductible insurance for peace of mind. Companies like Auto Europe explain your different insurance options clearly.
• One-way rentals – Most agencies let you drop off your car in a different city for a fee. We often do this, so we don’t waste valuable vacation time backtracking to our original pick-up point.

Driving In Italy: What to Know

If you’re planning on driving in Italy as an American, you’ll be happy to know that Italians drive on the right side of the road, and cars have the steering wheel on the left side – just like in the US.

However, there are a few differences to keep in mind:

• Many Italian towns and cities have restricted traffic zones, known as ZTL’s (Zona a Traffico Limitato). If you drive through a ZTL without authorization you can be fined anywhere from €80 to €300. The signs for ZTL’s are white circles with a red border, but they can be easy to miss if you’re not paying attention. Don’t rely on your GPS to warn you about ZTL’s. It’s best to check your routes ahead of time and ask your hotel or Airbnb host about any traffic restrictions in the area.

• Speed limits in Italy are typically 50 km/h in cities, 90 km/h on secondary rural roads (Strada Provinciale), 110km/h on main rural roads (Strada Statale), and 130 km/h on highways (Autostrade). Speed limits are enforced by roadside cameras, unmarked police cars, and something called a Tutor system, which measures your average speed between two points on the highway. If you get a ticket, often it will be mailed to you months later through your rental company, usually with an extra service fee added.
• Italy’s highways are toll roads marked by green signs with white lettering. When you enter the highway, you’ll take a ticket from a machine. When you exit, you’ll pay the toll with cash or a credit card. Look for signs that say “biglietto,” which means “ticket,” unless your rental car has a Telepass device for automated toll payment.

• Unlike in the US, you cannot turn right at a red light in Italy.
• On highways, the left lane is strictly for passing, so move back to the right lane after your pass is complete.
• Headlights must be on at all times while driving on highways, even during the day.
• If someone flashes their headlights at you from behind, it usually means they want you to move over so they can pass.
• Parking in Italy is color-coded:
  • White lines = free parking (sometimes time-limited)
  • Blue lines = paid parking (buy a ticket at a nearby machine)
  • Yellow lines = reserved for residents, disabled, or deliveries

To make things easier for you, we created a quick Italy Driving Guide that you can print out. Fill in the information below to subscribe and we’ll send you the free 2-page guide!

Final Tips for Driving in Italy

Driving in Italy can be an amazing experience, especially outside of the cities. However, narrow roads in older towns, and locals driving unnervingly fast requires patience and confidence on your part.

Cell phone coverage may be weak in some areas. Be sure to download offline maps (such as Google Maps or Apple Maps) in advance.

And finally, don’t leave valuables in your car, especially if you’re parking in touristy areas. If you must, make sure everything is out of sight (like in the trunk) before parking your car.

Have you ever been driving in Italy? Any tips to add? Let us know in the comments. We’d love to hear from you!

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