Driving In Italy

Basic Legal Requirements

Driving Licence

When driving in Italy, you will need to ensure you bring both parts of your driving licence - the Photocard plus the Paper Counterpart (D740). If you do not have a Photocard yet, only the paper copy is required, but you will need Photo ID, such as a Passport

You must be the holder of a full driving licence (not a provisional), and have passed your test. Even if you have already passed your full test, you must be at least 18 years old. Scooters (“motorino”) up to 125cc can be ridden with a full car licence

The International Driving Permit is not required, but if you would like one you can apply through the Post Office. The international driving permit is in addition to your driving licence, so you will need to carry both copies.

While a photocopy may be useful if your licence is lost, you should carry the original with you.

Car Documents

You should carry your vehicles Registration Certificate (V5C) with you, which should be updated to show your correct details. For security reasons, it's best NOT to leave the Registration Certificate in the vehicle while it is parked - it makes it harder to a thief to resell the vehicle if they do not have the documentation.

While a photocopy may be useful if your Registration Certificate is lost, you should carry the original with you.

Insurance

It is compulsory to have at least third- party insurance for Italy, as for the UK. Most UK insurance policies will allow an element of European driving, often for a limited period.

Before leaving the UK, it is a good idea to contact your insurer, and check what your existing cover allows. You should request a 'Green Card' which is an internationally recognised form of proof of insurance. You should carry proof of insurance with you while driving.

If your existing insurance does not provide European cover for the period required, most insurance brokers will have a suitable policy covering Italy, and will provide a Green Card.

Your Vehicle

Your headlights will need to be adjusted to ensure that they do not dazzle oncoming users.

Standard halogen headlights and Autobulbs Xenon HID Conversion kits can be modified by the use of a stick on Headlight Beam Adaptor. Vehicles with factory fitted Xenon HID headlights may find there is an adjuster either on the headlights themselves or on the dashboard - check your manual for details. If there is no adjuster, you may need to visit a dealer for them to make the adjustments, and again to change them back after your visit.

Reflective Jackets or vests must be worn when getting out of a vehicle stuck on a motorway, dual carriageway or other busy road. However, there is not yet the requirement to have them at all times. To comply in an emergency it makes sense to have one for each passenger in the vehicle.

You must also carry a reflective Warning Triangle in the vehicle. In the event of an accident or breakdown, the triangle should be set up by the side of the road, at least 50 meters in the direction of of the traffic. If you have broken down in the outer lane of a dual carriageway or motorway, or attempting to place the warning triangle would place you in danger, do not use it. Remember to collect your warning triangle before leaving! Warning triangles are not required for motorbikes.

If you are planning on driving in mountain areas in winter, you must carry snow chains or have winter tyres fitted and use them when conditions demand it.

Children under the age of 1.5m (4 feet 10 inches) must use child seats or booster seats. All passengers must use seat belts if fitted

Children under 5 cannot be carried on a motorcycle or moped.

Motorcycles under 150cc are not allowed on motorways.

You may have a number plate that already has a valid 'GB' mark. If you do not, you will need to apply a GB sticker to the back of your vehicle.

There is no legal requirement to carry a first aid kit in the vehicle, but it is recommended. Similarly, there is not a requirement to carry a fire extinguisher, but they are generally a useful safety item to carry in your vehicle if you have the space.

It is recommended that you carry a spare bulb kit suitable for your vehicle. While HID bulbs last longer than their halogen counterparts, it makes sense to carry at least one spare Xenon HID bulb suitable for your headlights.

Driving - Legal Requirements

Lights

Dipped headlights are required on motorcycles all the time, and on other vehicles when there is low visibility, such as when it is raining. They are also required when driving through tunnels - you will see reminder signs before and after the tunnels. You must not use main beam in built up areas.

Fog lights should only be used where visibility is down to 50 metres or less.

Speed Limits

Speed limits can be modified by local signs, but the usual ones are:

• Built- up areas: 31 mph or 50 km/h
• Outside built- up areas: 55 mph or 90 km/h
• Dual carriageways: 68 mph or 110 km/h
• Motorways: 80 mph or 130 km/h

In wet weather, the speed limits on dual carriageways are reduced to 55mph or 90km/h, and to 68mph or 110km/h on motorways.

Towing and Carrying

Vehicles towing trailers are subject to lower speed limits. Any vehicle with an overhanging load (such as a bicycle on a rear rack) must display are red and white reflective panel 50cm by 50cm

Traffic Priorities

In general, traffic priorities are the same at the UK, but reversed for driving on the right. Many scooter riders will ignore traffic priorities, traffic lights, pedestrian crossings, and the difference between road and pavement, so be aware of them, especially in built up areas!

Helmets

Helmets are compulsory at all times for scooters, mopeds and motorcycles. Visors should not have a tint of more than 50%, but apparently the local Police do not rigidly enforce this.

Overtaking

Overtaking is only on the left (the outside lane of motorways and dual carriageways). Unless you are a scooter, then overtaking is on the left, right or anywhere else there is room!

Italian drivers in general overtake freely. If you are travelling at the speed limit, you may find yourself being overtaken regularly. When being overtaken, you are generally expected to move as far over as possible to make room - vehicles may well overtake into oncoming traffic if you you can move over enough to create a 'third lane'.

On motorways and dual carriageways be prepared to move out of the way of faster vehicles to let them through. They may well flash their lights as they approach to make you aware they are approaching.

Warning with Horn and Lights

As in the UK you should not use the horn except to warn of danger. However, also as in the UK this is widely ignored! Italian drivers, especially in the main cities, will use their horns to get your attention, vent their frustration or generally make themselves heard!

With lights, the official rule is that they should only be used to warn others of your presence. In practice flashed headlights are commonly used to indicate that the vehicle is coming through or planning to overtake.

GPS, Speed Cameras and Phones

You must NOT use any form of radar detector, but as far as we are aware a GPS unit that contains the locations of speed cameras is still allowed.

It is an offence to use a hand- held mobile phone in Italy while driving. Similarly, any display screens fitted, such as a DVD player, must be set up in such a way so the driver cannot see it.

Alcohol

Drink driving in Italy is similar to most European countries. Over 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood will result in a fine. Significantly more will result in much larger fines and loss of your licence. Note that this is slightly lower than the 80mg blood alcohol allowed in the UK, so the safest option is not to drink at all when you are driving.

Be aware that you may still have alcohol in your blood if you have been drinking the evening before.

City Centre Traffic Restrictions

Many of the historic city centres are restricted to local traffic. If you see a sign saying “zona traffico limitato” (ZTL) then only local vehicles can enter. If you inadvertently do drive in one of these areas, you may well receive a fine by post.

Milan also has a pollution charge for vehicles in the city centre, similar to London's congestion charge. You must purchase an 'eco- pass' before entering the area.

Police and Fines

Police in Italy can and issue on the spot fines for a range of offences including speeding and other motoring offences. Fines issued are normally 25% of the normal maximum for the offence. Offences committed at night (between 10pm and 7am) will have the fine increased by a third.

Visitors driving in Italy will be expected to pay the fine immediately by cash or Euro cheque - police cannot take cards or payments in sterling. If you do not have enough cash on you, the police may allow you to be escorted to a cash point. If you cannot pay the fine, the vehicle may well be impounded until you do.

If you do get stopped by the police, remember to remain polite. If you are abusive you can and will be arrested on the spot, and may find yourself facing more than a on- the- spot fine. The Police MUST give you a receipt for any fines paid.