Driving in Italy: Rules, Fines and Tips for Visitors

Updated September 2026. Rules checked against the reform of the Italian Highway Code in force since December 14, 2024 (Law 177/2024) and the e-scooter rules in force since May 2026. Fines are the ranges set by law and can change.

A car is the easiest way to see the Italian countryside, from the Tuscan hills to the Dolomites and Puglia, and the hardest way to see its cities. Italy reformed its Highway Code in December 2024, with tougher rules on phones, alcohol and drugs, so even experienced visitors should check what changed. This guide covers the rules that matter most if you rent a car.

Driving in Italy at a glance

What changed in December 2024

Phones

Holding a phone while driving now costs €250 to €1,000, up from a maximum of €660, and a license suspension of 15 days to two months can apply, with heavier penalties for a second offense within two years. Hands-free and speakerphone use are allowed: set up navigation before you leave.

Alcohol

The limit is still 0.5 grams per liter, and zero for drivers under 21 or in their first three years with a license. Fines rise with the level, and above 0.8 g/l drink driving is a criminal offense. Drivers convicted above 0.8 g/l can now be required to use an alcolock, a device that stops the car from starting, for at least two years. The simplest rule on a wine trip: let someone else drive.

Drugs

Since the reform, the offense is driving after taking drugs: the police no longer have to prove that you were impaired. This matters for visitors from places where cannabis is legal, because a positive test days after use can still mean fines, a license suspension and criminal charges. If cannabis is part of your trip at home, do not drive in Italy.

Speeding in towns

Drivers caught at least twice in a year going 10 to 40 km/h over the limit inside a town now face an extra fine of €220 to €880 and a license suspension of 15 to 30 days.

New drivers

Drivers in their first three years with a license can no longer drive cars above 75 kW per tonne or 105 kW of power, a limit that used to apply for one year only. If you have held your license for less than three years, check the car when you rent it.

Before you rent a car

• Carry an International Driving Permit if your license was issued outside the EU. In the US it comes from AAA or AATA and must be obtained before you travel.
• Check the excess and the insurance in the rental agreement; narrow roads and tight parking make scrapes common.
• Ask whether your hotel is inside a ZTL before you drive to it. Some hotels can register your plate so you can reach them.
• Choose a small car for hill towns and the coast.

ZTL zones: the fine most visitors get

Most historic centers, from Florence and Rome to Siena and Bologna, are Zone a Traffico Limitato, limited traffic zones. The entrance is marked by a sign and a camera, and when the zone is active, every car that enters without a permit is fined. The fine is sent to the rental company, which passes it on to you, usually with an administrative fee and often months later. Italian law also lets regions set seasonal ZTLs at UNESCO sites for up to five months a year. Park outside the center and walk in.

Speed limits and the autostrada

Unless signs say otherwise, the limits are 130 km/h on the autostrada (110 in rain or snow), 110 km/h on main highways outside towns (90 in rain), 90 km/h on other roads outside towns and 50 km/h in towns. Speed cameras are common, including systems that measure your average speed between two points.

The autostrada is a toll road. At the booths, lanes marked with a yellow Telepass sign are only for cars with an electronic transponder; use the lanes for cash or cards instead. Keep your ticket from the entrance: you pay at the exit.

E-scooters

If you ride an e-scooter, a helmet is compulsory for every rider. Since May 16, 2026, privately owned scooters also need an identification plate and insurance; with rental and sharing scooters, the operator takes care of those.

When not to drive

Cities are easier without a car, and so are wine regions. For the vineyards, a tour with transport solves the alcohol problem: compare the Chianti wine tours from Florence, the Barolo wine tours and the Prosecco hills tours from Venice. On the Amalfi Coast, where parking is scarce, the sea is the better road: see the Amalfi Coast boat tours. And for the mountains without the hairpin bends, compare the Dolomites day trips from Venice.

If you love the cars as much as the roads, read our guide to Italian car brands.

Sources: changes to the Highway Code from Law 177/2024, in force since December 14, 2024, as summarized by ACI; e-scooter plate and insurance obligation in force since May 16, 2026. Speed limits from article 142 of the Highway Code. Checked in September 2026.

Planning a first trip? Our Italy travel tips gather the entry rules, the tickets to book ahead and the local habits worth knowing in one place.

Not sure you need a car? Our guide to trains in Italy compares Trenitalia and Italo, explains regional tickets and shows how to check for strikes.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need an International Driving Permit in Italy?

If your license was issued outside the European Union, yes: Italy expects you to carry an International Driving Permit together with your national license. US drivers get one before leaving home, through AAA or AATA. Rental companies may not ask for it, but the police can.

What is the drink-driving limit in Italy?

0.5 grams of alcohol per liter of blood. It is zero for drivers under 21 and for anyone in their first three years with a license. Above 0.8 g/l, drink driving is a criminal offense.

What is the fine for using a phone while driving in Italy?

Since December 14, 2024, from €250 to €1,000, and a license suspension of 15 days to two months can apply. Hands-free and speakerphone use is allowed.

What is a ZTL in Italy?

A Zona a Traffico Limitato, a limited traffic zone, usually covering a historic center. Cameras record every car that enters without a permit, and rental companies pass the fine on to you, often months later.

What are the speed limits in Italy?

Unless signs say otherwise: 130 km/h on the autostrada (110 in rain or snow), 110 km/h on main highways outside towns (90 in rain), 90 km/h on other roads outside towns and 50 km/h in towns.

Can I drive in Italy after using cannabis?

No. Since December 14, 2024, the law punishes driving after taking drugs, without the police having to prove that you were impaired. A positive test can mean fines, a license suspension and criminal charges, even if you used cannabis legally at home days earlier.