Start the car, play your favorite playlist, and roll down the window. You’re driving along a winding mountain road, surrounded by rolling hills, and in the distance, you can see towering peaks. Welcome to Italy! When touring Italy by car, you experience ultimate freedom to go wherever you want, allowing you to discover the most beautiful spots in the country. However, there are a few things to keep in mind when renting a car in Italy. So, before you jump in the car, take a moment to read about all the things you should know about renting a car in Italy.
Driving in Italy: Our Experience
Aside from being beautiful, driving in Italy is also very manageable. Okay, it can be quite chaotic in the major cities with the traffic, but any slightly experienced driver can handle it. Perhaps you’ve heard stories about Italian driving behavior. They are known for their aggressive driving style. However, we must honestly say that we didn’t find it as bad as expected. While there are certainly Italians who neglect to use their turn signals, and you’ll encounter some tailgaters for sure, the majority of drivers in Italy are normal. It’s good to know that you’re more likely to encounter reckless drivers around the major cities, so be extra cautious and expect the unexpected.
Environmental Zones in Italy
Many Italian cities have environmental zones. These are zones within the city center where cars are not allowed unless you have a permit. You can recognize an environmental zone by the white traffic sign with a red circle and the text zona traffico limitato (see the photo below). If you come across this sign, you are not allowed to proceed. Ignoring it will result in a fine because there are cameras that record which cars enter the zone without a permit. If you overlook this sign and, for example, enter the environmental zone twice while searching for a parking space, you will receive two fines for the same offense. Therefore, keep your eyes open in the cities because you wouldn’t be the first to receive three fines in the mail.
If you’re staying in an accommodation located within the environmental zone and they have parking available, inform your hotel that you’ll be arriving by car and ask if they can arrange a permit for you. They will provide your license plate information, allowing you to enter the zone without incurring a fine.
Parking in Major Italian Cities
If you’re visiting one or more major cities during your road trip in Italy, you’re probably wondering where to park your car. Having a car in the city center can be quite inconvenient. There are numerous environmental zones, and finding a parking space is often a nightmare. It’s wise to park your car in a parking garage on the outskirts of the city. Of course, you can also book a hotel with parking, but keep in mind that it’s often more expensive than parking in a garage on the outskirts. You can ask your hotel in advance for recommendations on the best parking garage to use. They’re likely to provide you with helpful tips.
Street parking in Italy follows the following rules:
White parking spaces: These are free parking spaces. However, you may be required to display a parking disc on your windshield, indicated by signage.
Blue parking spaces: In a blue parking space, you need to purchase a parking ticket from a parking meter.
Yellow parking spaces: These are reserved for disabled parking. If you park here without a disabled parking permit, your car is likely to be towed, and you may receive a fine.
Bring the Right Credit Card
When picking up your rental car, it is mandatory to present a credit card in the name of the main driver. This credit card is required for the deposit, and a credit card under a different name will not be accepted. You will not be able to receive the rental car if you cannot provide a credit card in the name of the main driver. Additionally, if the credit card has insufficient funds, you will not be given the rental car. If you don’t have a credit card yet, we recommend this credit card.
What is the minimum age to rent a car in Italy?
The minimum age to rent a car in Italy depends on the rental company. You must have held a driver’s license for at least one year, regardless of your age. Typically, the minimum age to rent a car is 25 years old. If you are younger than 25, you may have to pay an additional surcharge. This information can be found under the “specific terms and conditions” section during the booking process.
Use Flitsmeister
In Italy, you will come across many speed cameras. To avoid missing them, it’s a good idea to download and activate Flitsmeister when you get in the car. Flitsmeister provides notifications for fixed speed cameras and speed control zones in Italy.
Extra Tips for Renting a Car in Italy
Here are some additional useful things to consider when renting a car:
Carry Sufficient Cash for Toll Roads
Make sure to always have cash with you for toll roads, as not all of them accept card payments.
Download the Map on Google Maps
It’s recommended to use Google Maps for navigation in Italy. Download the map of the region you’ll be driving in advance, so you can navigate offline as well. You might lose signal in areas such as tunnels or mountains.
What Type of Rental Car is Suitable for Italy?
In principle, any rental car is suitable. If you’re road tripping with a partner, a small car is sufficient. If you’re traveling with more people, a larger car would be more comfortable. Opting for an automatic transmission may be slightly more expensive, but it can be beneficial as it allows you to fully concentrate on the road and traffic. This is particularly practical if you have less or no experience driving abroad.
What does it costs to rent a car in Italy?
When renting a car in ITaly, prices can vary depending on the season and how early you book. Booking a rental car through Rentalcars.com is highly recommended for Italy. With a rental car, you always have a chance of damage and problems along the way, which is why it’s smart to book with a reliable party. At Rentalcars, you can always take out a Full Protection Insurance, you can change your booking for free and all conditions are clearly indicated. So you don’t have to worry about snags and if something goes wrong on your trip, everything is always reimbursed and taken care of. This is totally worth it as far as we are concerned, especially on holiday.
Note: Sometimes the local rental company will try to sell you extra insurances. These are absolutely unnecessary as everything is covered with Rentalcars’ Full Protection Insurance. So don’t be fooled because you are 100% covered, even your excess will be refunded in case of damage.
Price hikes due to shortage of cars: There is currently a huge shortage of rental cars worldwide. To survive the corona crisis, car rental companies have had to sell a large portion of their cars. Since demand is rising fast, there are not enough chips for new cars and prices are skyrocketing due to the shortage. As a result, many rental cars are double the price or even fully booked. It’s best to book as early as possible to be sure of a rental car that is still somewhat affordable. At Rentalcars.com, you can currently cancel or change your booking free of charge up to 48 hours in advance, so you are not stuck with anything but still be sure of a rental car.
