Italy is a popular country among labor migrants and tourists, many of whom come here by car. That's why we've created a comprehensive guide for you to help you feel confident on the road and avoid hefty fines. Learn more about the peculiarities of traffic rules, the most common fines and the cost of toll roads in Italy

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Ciao! Today, you are welcomed to Italy, a country that welcomes tourists with incredible cuisine, rich history, rocky mountains and crystal clear lakes scattered across different regions.

Italians are an energetic people, which is also reflected in their driving style. They have gained a reputation for being aggressive and impatient drivers, especially in urban areas with long traffic jams.

Be prepared that drivers in Italy do not hesitate to use their horns to communicate their intentions, and motorcyclists are constantly making daring maneuvers in traffic and between cars.

This can be a real challenge for tourists or migrants with a reserved driving style. That's why we've prepared a detailed guide to driving in Italy that will give you extra confidence on the road.

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Basic traffic rules in Italy

Traffic in Italy is right-hand drive, so you can overtake only on the left side.

The use of seat belts, talking while driving, and the use of fog lights when visibility is less than 50 meters are also monitored quite strictly. When driving outside the city, the low beam headlights must be on at all times.

The biggest peculiarities await you when driving on the so-called ring. Traditionally, preference is given to those who are "on the ring", but Italians often violate this right.

The location of road signs here is also unusual. They are not installed directly, but at an angle to the desired street. One-way traffic is quite common in the country, so it is better to use a navigator in unfamiliar areas. 

In the historical centers of popular tourist cities, you can often find road signs with the inscription "Zona traffico limitato", which restricts the movement of private vehicles. Such signs indicate the days and times when traffic is prohibited, so it's worth familiarizing yourself with the main abbreviations in Italian: Lun - Monday, Mar - Tuesday, Mer - Wednesday, Gio - Thursday, Ven - Friday, Sab - Saturday, Dom - Sunday). The inscription "diurna" means daytime from 06:30 to 21:00, "notturna" means nighttime from 21:00 to 06:30. Ignoring this sign can result in a €100 fine.

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Drunk driving in Italy

Although Italy is world-famous for its vineyards, drunk driving is strictly prohibited here. The permissible blood alcohol concentration is only 0.5 milligrams per liter, which is relatively strict compared to other European countries. For drivers with less than 3 years of driving experience, this figure is 0.

You will face severe fines for violating this rule. You will most likely be arrested for trying to bribe a police officer in Italy. The amount of the fine depends on the driver's blood alcohol concentration. In addition to fines, the police can also confiscate the car or even arrest the driver. 

Let's look at the approximate amounts of fines for drunk driving:

1. From 0 to 0.5 g/l - from 164 to 663 euros and a five-point reduction in driving license for drivers under the age of 21;

2. From 0.5 to 0.8 g/l - fines from 531 to 2125 euros and deprivation of driving license for three to six months;

3. Over 1.5 g/l - fines from 1500 to 6000 euros and imprisonment from six months to one year.

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Fines for traffic violations in Italy

Drivers who violate the traffic rules of Italy face quite severe sanctions. For example, for speeding up to 10 km/h in Italy, you will have to pay from €20 to €75, from 10 to 40 km/h - up to €100, and over 40 km/h - from €190 to €760. And for overtaking in a prohibited place, you will have to pay a fine of €75 to €300. Driving in a restricted traffic zone is punishable by a fine of €100, and violation of parking rules - from €19.

Let's consider the most common types of fines in Italy:

1. For ignoring the Zona traffico limitato sign - €100;

2. For speeding up to 10 km/h - from 20 to 75 euros;

3. For speeding from 10 to 40 km/h - up to 100 euros;

4. For speeding over 40 km/h - from 190 to 760 euros;

5. For overtaking under a prohibited sign or on a bridge - 75 to 300 euros;

6. For driving in a restricted traffic zone - 100 euros;

7. For violation of parking rules - from 19 euros;

8. For a driver's blood alcohol content of 0.8 ppm - 2000 euros;

9. For a driver's blood alcohol content of 1.5 ppm and above - €6000 and mandatory deprivation of license.

If the amount of the fine does not exceed €350, it can be paid immediately on the spot, and you can even get a discount. If the offense was committed at night, the fine will be 30% higher.

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Speed limits in Italy

There are thousands of speed cameras on Italian roads that capture images of vehicles and record their speed. If you exceed the speed limit, you will receive a fine by mail from the car rental agency.

The established speed limits are as follows:

1. In cities: 50 km/h;

2. Local roads: 90 km/h, reduced to 80 km/h in rainy weather;

3. Highways: 130 km/h, reduced to 110 km/h in wet conditions;

4. Secondary roads outside cities: 110 km/h, reduced to 100 km/h in the rain.

For speeding, you can expect fines from 40 to 4000 euros, depending on the degree of excess. Between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., fines are increased by 30%. 

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Toll roads in Italy

Of course, you can travel in Italy, like in any other country, for free. However, toll roads are also quite common here. The average cost is 5-7 euros per 100 kilometers. 

When entering a toll road, do not forget to keep the ticket you received. Otherwise, when you leave the highway, you will be forced to pay for the entire length of the highway. Toll tunnels are also common in Italy, with an approximate cost of 15-44 euros.

The Austostrada A1 is the main highway of the country, which is called the "Highway of the Sun" because of its geographical location. The A1 highway connects the north and south of Italy, from Milan to Naples via Florence and Rome, its length is 470 miles. The A4 and Serenissima highway connects Turin and Trieste, passing by Venice and Milan.

In the south of Italy, the A2 road takes you from Fisciano to San Giovanni. And the journey to France takes place on the A5 highway. 

A map of the largest toll roads in Italy is presented below:

To accurately calculate the cost of travel while planning your trip, you can use the following convenient service. You can also calculate the cost yourself. It depends on three parameters: vehicle class, type of highway section (flat or mountainous), and management company.

Mandatory documents and insurance for entering Italy by car

To enter Italy by car, you must have:

1. Foreign passport;

2. Driver's license;

3. Registration documents for the vehicle;

4. International insurance policy "Green Card".

The absence of any of these documents may be grounds for refusal of entry. In the absence of mandatory international insurance, the driver may be fined and, in some cases, banned from further entry into the country. 

You can apply for a Green Card quickly and easily on the Visit Ukraine portal. Follow the link and apply for an insurance policy for the required period in just a couple of minutes. The finished insurance will be sent to your email immediately.

We currently have a special offer for purchasing Green Card insurance:

1. Buy a Green Card policy and get a free 30-minute legal consultation from our professional lawyer;

2. You can take advantage of the promotion during the validity of the Green Card policy;

3. The consultation lasts 30 minutes. The consultation can be oral or written. 

How to buy a green card?

1. You can buy a green card on our website by yourself by following the link and filling in the necessary data.

2. Call our hotline at +380939724145 or write to us in a convenient messenger: Telegram or WhatsApp.

Our manager will be happy to help you with the issuance of a green card, which you will receive within 5 minutes by e-mail.

We remind you! Most major cities in Portugal have a convenient and efficient public transport system, but to get to know this beautiful and colorful country better, it is better to organize a flexible and leisurely trip by car. Read more about the peculiarities of traffic rules, the most common fines and the cost of toll roads in Portugal. 

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Darya Rogova is the head of the Visit Ukraine insurance department

A Green Card is not only a mandatory document for traveling abroad by car, but also a guarantee of financial security and safety for the driver and passengers. To avoid risks and fines, take out international insurance on the Visit Ukraine portal. We cooperate only with reliable insurance agents.