Car Rental Italy

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Car Rental Italy
You have to be a pretty aggressive and alert driver who won't be fazed by super-high speeds on the autostrade or by narrow streets in the cities and towns. Italian drivers have truly earned their reputation as bad but daring.

U.S. and Canadian drivers don't need an International Driver's License to drive a rented car in Italy. However, if driving a private car, they need such a license.

Automatic cars are a rarity in Italy, so be sure you know how to drive manual.

General Information About Italy
Region: Europe
Population: 56,260,500 October 2002
Capital: Rome
Climate: Predominantly Mediterranean; Alpine in far north; hot, dry in south.
Languages: Italian, German, French, Slovene
Currency: 1 Euro = 100 cents
National Holiday: Anniversary of the Republic, 2 June (1946)

Driving Laws In Italy

Road Conditions As Stated By The U.S Bureau Of Consular Affairs
Urban Road Condition/Maintenance: Fair
Rural Road Condition/Maintenance: Good
Availability of Roadside Assistance: Excellent

Types Of Roads
Autostrade = Superhighways - most of which charge tolls
Strade Statali = State Roads
Strade Provinciali =Provincial Roads
Strade Comunali = Local Roads

Driving Tips In Italy
Streets in cities are often narrow, winding and congested; lane markings are often nonexistent; traffic lights are limited and often disobeyed; and a different convention of right-of-way is observed. Italy has over 5,600 kilometers (3,480 mi.) of "Autostrada", or superhighways. Commercial and individual drivers travel and pass on these well-maintained roads at very high speeds. Accidents in which excessive speed is a contributing factor do occur.

In rural areas, a wide range of speed on highways makes for hazardous driving. Roads are generally narrow and often do not have guardrails. Travelers in northern Italy, especially in winter, should be aware of ground fog and poor visibility, which cause multiple-car accidents each year. Most Italian-specification automobiles are equipped with special fog lights. Roadside assistance in Italy is excellent on the well-maintained toll roads, but limited on secondary roads.

Generally, parking is on the right side of the road. Parking in a Blue Zone or Zona Disco is for limited time periods. Parking discs for these zones may be obtained at fuel stations, tourist offices, and motor club offices. When parked in these zones from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Monday through Saturday (except holidays) your vehicle must display a parking disc. Maximum parking time during these periods is one hour. Some cities also have Green Zones or Zona Verde where parking is prohibited from 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and from 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on weekdays.

Helpful Road Sign Translations

Roadside Assistance Numbers
Automobile Club Italiano (ACI)
Via Marsala 8
00185 Roma
Telephone: 011-39-6-49981
Fax: 011-39-6-499-8234

Emergency Contact Telephone Numbers
Police: 113
Fire: 115
Ambulance: 118