Driving in Italy
Driving in Italy is very enjoyable! This may be contrary to some information you have heard, but in our experience, it's the best way to see the country. The trains are great, as is other public transportation in the cities, but to really enjoy the villages and countryside that we love the best, renting a car, for us, is our preferred way to see this incredible country..
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We started renting cars in Italy nearly 40 years ago, when we were still in our early 20s. We have had mostly wonderful experiences. There have been some challenges, and I will share what I have learned in that respect, as well.
Taggia, Liguria
A question we are often asked is if they drive on the left side of the road in Italy. No. They drive on the right side. And, they generally drive very well, as they have to be constantly aware of people stopped in the narrow streets for deliveries, pedestrians, etc. So, just pay attention to your surroundings, and you should be fine.
Now, this advice is for Americans, because I'm thinking everybody else in the world will already know this... but get to know your international road signs. We have become familiar with most of them now, but still make mistakes, such driving in limited traffic zones. We don't find out until several months later when we arrive home and our car rental company sends us a ticket. I'm not going to explain them all here, as you can easily look them up on line on sites such as
If it's striped yellow, that means residents, only! Look for blue lines for paid parking, or white for free.
Parking in crowded towns can be challenging, but not impossible. In towns and cities there are a number of different options. Larger cities have convenient parking terraces, and free and paid parking lots are usually not too hard to find in smaller places. Be aware that anything striped with white lines is free, blue lines is paid parking, and yellow lines is for residents only. With the blue striped lines, there will generally be a small blue machine somewhere nearby where you can insert coins and choose how long you want to stay. You then put the printed receipt in your dashboard, and off you go! Just be aware that some towns ( such as Imperia in Liguria) require you to enter the numbers of your license plate before the ticket is printed.
White lines mean Free Parking!
If you have trouble
witnesses filling out my paperwork for me!
Accidents do happen all over the world, and I will admit I have experienced two of them in Italy. Neither was my fault. In fact, twice I was hit by motorcycles. The first time, I was slowing before entering a roundabout and a young man on a motorcycle rounded the bend too fast and slid into my car. The second time I was stopped for pedestrians at a crosswalk when I was rear-ended by a man on a motorcycle. Both times there was damage to my rental car, so it had to be reported.
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In each case, I learned that the drivers of both cars have accident/insurance forms included with their owners' information in the glove compartment. If no one is hurt, the police don't cite anyone, and the owners file a claim with their insurance company, or in my case, with the car rental company.
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The first time this happened to me, I was very confused and didn't know what to do. But, kind people helped me, and it worked out ok.
The second time, the witnesses came forward and filled out all of the paperwork for me. They even included all of their names on a sheet of paper for me to give to the car rental company, which was not necessary.
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You may hear that you will be arrested because you are a foreigner, but that is absolutely not true. In both cases, it was obviously not my fault, and I had no trouble with the police or the rental car company. In fact the second time, when we turned in our car at the Genova airport, the lady was so kind and understanding, I wish I could fly through no place else but Genova!
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So, just be aware that things can happen anywhere, and they generally work out ok.