Driving in Italy as an American: full guide

Italy makes for a great destination for a varied vacation taking in everything from sunny coasts to wild mountains, with all the history, culture and great food you can manage. It makes a lot of sense to choose a road trip in Italy as driving gives you lots of flexibility to plan an itinerary and route which works for your unique needs.

This guide covers all you need to know about driving in Italy as an American, including the license requirements, some differences in the rules of the road to watch out for, and where you might go.

Can you drive in Italy as an American?

You can drive in Italy as a tourist, as long as you have a valid US license, and either an International Driving Permit (IDP) issued by the AAA¹, or an official translation of your license in Italian².

It’s pretty easy to get your IDP either in person or by mail, for a fee of just 20 USD. Apply before you leave for your trip to Italy to make sure you have all the right paperwork to drive on arrival.

What are the license requirements for driving in Italy?

If you’re registered as a resident in Italy, the license requirements are different compared to an American there on a tourist visit.

Once you’ve registered as an Italian resident you need to apply for an Italian license within 12 months.

The process for getting your new Italian license will mean you need to complete a written and practical test, and may also need medical exams. Unfortunately there’s no system to simply trade in your US license for a new one in Italy.

What do the driving laws look like in Italy?

You’ll need to read up on some of the rules of the road in Italy before you start your trip. While much is similar to the US, there are a few different laws and limits, and the conditions are quite different to driving in many parts of the US.

What type of insurance do you need?

When you drive in Italy you must have third party insurance - known as RCA or RCO - as a minimum. If you’re hiring a vehicle your hire company can explain your insurance options, as topping up to a more comprehensive insurance package is often possible.

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What are the main differences between driving in the US and Italy?

Let’s walk through a few important considerations before you get behind the wheel of a vehicle in Italy.

Road signs

Take some time to familiarize yourself with some key road signs in Italy. Many are similar throughout Europe, but naturally there will be some variations.

In most places in Italy notices and signs are displayed in Italian, but there are also some border regions where other languages also appear on signs.

One useful sign to look out for is the Zona Traffico Limitato (ZTL) notices. These denominate areas of a town or city where entry is limited - often by permits.

If you drive in these areas accidentally and get picked up on cameras there you’ll receive a fine in the mail.

Emergency procedures

If you’re involved in an accident in Italy you’ll need to call 112 - or 118 if you need an ambulance. Make sure you take down information from any other parties involved, or any witnesses, in case you need to make an insurance claim.

It’s also helpful to note that driving in the emergency lanes in Italy is illegal and comes with high fines.

Weather considerations

Italy has variable weather so you’ll need to keep an eye out for local weather warnings whenever you travel. Some road speed limits are lowered in bad weather conditions like rain or snow, to ensure safety.

How can you find reliable car rental companies in Italy?

It’s pretty easy to find places to hire all manner of vehicles in Italy. There are smaller local providers, as well as large companies which operate internationally like Europcar®⁴ and Hertz®⁵.

Assuming you’ll be flying into Italy the easiest option is to look at which companies are represented at the airport, allowing you to hit the road more or less as soon as you land.

What are the most popular and scenic routes in Italy?

There’s lots of scope for an Italian road trip - so your main challenge might be picking the right option for you. If you’re looking for time in the mountains, you may consider The Great Dolomites Road, starting from Bolzano.

Regional flights to Bolzano are available, or of course you can combine this route with other driving trips to build out your full itinerary.

On the other hand if you’re thinking of heading to Italy to spend time by the coast, you could try a trip along the Amalfi Coast.

There are various different options here depending on how much time you have - you can get to Sorrento, one obvious starting point for this route, from Naples airport, which is well connected within the country and region.

If you’re heading out to Italy in the springtime, a trip around Lake Como makes for a beautiful adventure.

You’ll be able to fly into Milan Bergamo airport to start this trip, and could also combine your time in nature with some shopping and city culture if you’d like to. Non-stop flights are available to Milan from New York, Atlanta and various other US cities.

Whatever you’re planning during your road trip in Italy, you’ll have a wonderful time. With fabulous culture, nature and cuisine, there’s plenty of choice, and with your own wheels you have absolute flexibility about where you go and how long you stay. Use this guide to start your research and have a wonderful trip.