Driving Regulations Italy

Speed limits:

Motorway:

130 km/h (when wet- 110 km/h)

From 1 January 2003 some three-lane motorways with emergency lanes may have a speed limit of 150 km/h

Dual carriageway:

110 km/h (when wet - 90 km/h)

Open road:

90 km/h (when wet- 80 km/h)

Town:

50 km/h (when wet - 50 km/h)

General driving regulations - Italy

Traveling with children:

Children under four are not allowed to travel in the vehicle unless a suitable restraining system is installed and used. Children between the ages of 4 and 12 cannot travel in the front seat unless a suitable restraining system is installed and in use.

Documentation:

Non-European licenses and old-style green European licenses must be accompanied by an International Driving Permit. EC format pink/green licenses, however, are acceptable without an international permit If you have a UK photo card remember to take the paper counterpart. You should always carry your driving license, the vehicle registration document and insurance document with you. To thwart car thieves, police are increasingly subjecting foreign-registered vehicles to spot checks. To pass such a check, operators must present vehicle and personal identification documents - including written permission from the owner if it's a borrowed vehicle. Vehicles which don't pass may be confiscated.

Drinking and driving:

Just one word of warning - don't! If you have anything over 0.05 percent alcohol in your blood, you will be liable for anything from a stiff fine to imprisonment. Plus, you may have a very nasty accident. So - don't!

Traffic fines:

Police are empowered to revoke your license and to collect fines on the spot. If you are unfortunate enough to get one, ensure the officer issues you an official receipt.

Fuel:

All grades of petrol, diesel and LPG fuels are available, apart from leaded fuel, which no longer exists. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted, although they might not work at automatic pumps. These are often the only pumps available from the late evening onwards.

Headlights:

Headlights are required from half an hour after sunset to half an hour before sunrise. Dipped headlights must be used during poor daytime visibility, and in tunnels at all times. They must also be used when on motorways, dual carriageways, and on all out of town roads. Motorcycles must use dipped headlights during the day at all times. Only use fog lights in conditions of poor visibility.

Legal driving age:

Minimum legal driving age is 18 for a car and motorcycle over 125 cc.

Motor insurance:

Third-party insurance is compulsory.

Seat belts:

Compulsory for all occupants, front and rear seats.

Special requirements:

- Visibility vests are now compulsory in Italy, Austria, Belgium, Norway and Spain (and likely to become compulsory throughout the EU). The rules vary from country to country concerning number of vests required and whether they should be carried in the car or boot. Common sense suggests that there should be a vest for every occupant, and that the vests should be carried in the car. Do this and you will not have a problem.

- A warning triangle is compulsory

Car horns:

Use of the horn is prohibited in built-up areas except in cases of immediate and extreme danger; at night flash your lights instead. Outside built-up areas, however, you must use the horn to signal your intention to pass.

Bike racks:

Anything hanging off the end of a vehicle, such as a bicycle, must be tagged with a reflective red and white striped sign 50 cm square. The signs are sold at most automotive shops in Italy. You may be fined € 50 if you fail to satisfy this requirement.

Highway tolls:

Tolls are charged for using the highways (autostrade). Except for Sicily, tolls can be paid either by cash or by Viacard. Tickets are obtained on entrance to the autostrade and paid upon exiting. Viacards valued at  25 can be purchased at toll booths, fuel stations, tobacconists, etc, and are accepted on all routes excepting the A18 and the A20.