Though I’m not a huge fan of driving when you can take trains, Italy is one place where getting behind the wheel is a huge advantage. Some of the country’s most beautiful natural sights and picturesque villages, like those in the Dolomites and Tuscany, are not easily accessible on public transportation. However, driving in Italy certainly doesn’t come without its challenges. Here are some helpful things to know before you drive in Italy.
Speed limits
As a general rule, speed limits depend on the kind of street you’re on. In urban areas, the limit is 50 km/h. In non-urban but non-highway roads, the limit is 90 km/h. If you’re on a main highway, those with a number that starts with SS, it’s 110 km/h. If you’re on a highway with the prefix A, known as the autostrade, the speed limit is 130 km/h unless it’s raining; then it’s 110 km/h.
While that seems pretty straightforward, drivers often treat non-urban roads like highways. Italian drivers are generally fairly aggressive without a care in the world for the speed limit. This means that if you’re going the speed limit, prepare to be tailgated… even by giant semis/lorries.
Why it’s so easy to get speeding tickets in Italy
Despite the pressure from other cars on the road to go faster, Italy has a reputation for killing drivers with speeding tickets because they have speed cameras absolutely everywhere. These cameras are sometimes (but not always) indicated on Google Maps or other navigation apps, and they are sometimes (but not always) clearly visible on the road. But it’s possible to get caught in a speed trap where you least expect it, like 100 meters after the last one or in a temporary construction zone.
There is absolutely no grace with these cameras. I’ve read about people getting a ticket for driving just one kilometer above the limit. It feels a little bit like institutionalized extortion, but it’s the price you have to pay to use Italian roads. I can’t tell you from experience because we just returned from our trip, and unfortunately, Italian authorities also have a habit of mailing these tickets months and months later. So if you’re not careful, you might get an unpleasant surprise long after you return home. It’s not a scam, it’s just how the system works.
Roundabouts
Roundabouts are very common in Italy and can be found in small or local roads where they take the place of traffic lights. They’re also usually found at junctions between highways and local roads. If you’re not familiar with driving in roundabouts, just remember that anyone already in the roundabout has the right of way. You have to wait for a break in the traffic to enter the roundabout. You should avoid changing lanes while in the roundabout. And if the roundabout has multiple lanes, you should keep right if you’re getting off at the first or second exit of the roundabout and get in the inner left lane if you’re going more than halfway around the circle or making a u-turn and exiting the same way you entered.
Toll roads
Most Italian autostrade are toll roads (with an A suffix), which is an easy way to differentiate them from other types of highways. Unlike other European countries, which have an e-vignette system for toll roads, in Italy, you actually have to stop and pay in toll booths. Typically, you get a ticket when you enter the autostrada and you pay according to the distance traveled when you exit. You can pay by card or cash, but not all lanes accept all payment methods, so it’s good to orient yourself according to the signs. As you can imagine, this can cause bottlenecks on highways, but there’s no avoiding it.
Something that helps is to use Telepass, which is a device that allows you to pass through toll gates without stopping. You can buy this device in a store or if you’re renting a car in Italy, you can opt to rent one. Though this might alleviate toll traffic, you might still get stuck waiting for a few kilometers behind drivers that don’t have one.
In addition to these run-of-the-mill toll roads, some popular tourist roads are also restricted to traffic, like the Rifugio Auronzo toll road to Tre Cime di Lavaredo in the Dolomites. As of summer 2025, this road can’t be accessed unless you prebook an available entry time and parking, which requires a hefty fee. Some mountain passes also restrict entry to avoid traffic jams.
Restricted traffic zones (ZTL)
Restricted traffic zones or “Zona Traffico Limitato” are usually found in Italian cities like Rome, Milan, and Pisa. They are designed to protect historic areas and local residents by reducing congestion due to non-authorized vehicles. They may be active around the clock or only on some days or hours. The thing about restricted traffic zones is that there is no barrier to entry, only a white sign with a red circle on it that reads “Zona Traffico Limitado.” These zones are monitored by cameras, so if you accidentally enter, that’s another automatic ticket.
If you’re driving to a major Italian city, first, consider not doing that – that’s what trains are for. But if you must subject yourself to the traffic, regulations, and restrictions of a major city, then I recommend looking up a current ZTL zone map for that city ahead of your trip. Ensure that your accommodation is not within the zone and that none of your planned driving is anywhere near the zone. Some navigation apps may have ZTL zone information, but that’s prone to be outdated or incomplete because these zones can change frequently, so don’t fully rely on GPS unless you want to risk a fine.
Driving under the influence
Most drivers can legally drive with a legal blood alcohol limit of 0.5 g/L. The exception is drivers with less than 3 years of experience, who cannot have any alcohol in their system. A limit of 0.5 g/L is equivalent to a blood alcohol level of 0.05%, which is a lot more lax than most European countries, but less than the legal limit in the United States. This is not legal advice of course, but you could probably drink less than one standard drink per hour and be under that limit. This means that if you have a glass or two of wine with dinner, you’re likely to be fine. However, the safest bet is obviously not to drink at all.
Parking in Italy
Generally speaking, Italian parking zones are designated according to the color of the curb markings. White lines indicate that parking is free, though may be time-restricted. Blue lines are paid timed parking zones, which can usually be paid by meter or an app like EasyPark. Yellow markings indicate parking that is reserved for residents or vehicles with a special permit.
Because that can be confusing, I recommend garages and lots, which are available in most tourist locations. This eliminates uncertainty about parking restrictions and saves you from having to feed the meter. EasyPark is a great way to avoid this as well because then you can add more time on your phone instead of at the meter in the street.
I hope this knowledge makes your drive in Italy far less stressful and safer. Happy trails!
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