Driving in Italy - Rules & Regulations
It is actually not as difficult as it seems, it may be scary in big cities as Italians are fast drivers with little patience. Obviously you will not need cars in big cities, but countrysides and villages are best visited driving on your own or with a driver - it allows tourist to discover many routes that public transportation would not take.
RULES & REGULATIONS
TYPES OF ROADS
- AUTOSTRADA: Highway/Freeway (signs are green with white text), follow speed limit signs 110/130 Km/H. Highways are tolled and each journey is tolled depending on the kilometers travelled and the car type. You can pay with cash or credit cards. Make sure you do NOT head for the TELEPASS entrance or exit as those are for subscribers only (you need to have the telepass device installed in your car). Petrol Stations on Highways are open 24 Hrs with operators and bars/restaurants (Autogrill). You can organize your trip here .
- STRADE STATALI: dual carriageways, leading to town centres, numbered with a SS prefix. Towns and residential speed limit is 50 Km/H.
- STRADE PROVINCIALI: regional roads, numbered with SP prefix. Speed limit is usually 90 Km/H.
- STRADA BIANCA: white roads are unpaved.
FUEL
Petrol Stations in Italy can have pump operators, hand them your keys, the kind of fuel you need and how much you want to fill in. But most of them now have self service lanes, fill up and go pay afterwards. Automatic Self Service machines are available 24hrs (except when the station is open with attendants) – Be aware that Automatic Machines: do not make change!
Italian | English |
Benzina Senza Piombo | Unleaded Fuel (Green handle) |
Gasolio | Diesel (Yellow handle) |
Pieno | Full, Full tank |
Aperto | Open |
Chiuso | Closed |
Uscita | Exit |
Autogrill | Petrol Station with Restaurant/Bar |