Italy summary
Key facts
Official language(s)
Currency
Population
Time zone
Calling code
Drive on the
Member of the EU
Italian
Euro
60,045,068
GMT + 1
39
Right
Yes
Local weather
Rome
-
Thu16° | 28° -
Fri16° | 27° - Sat16° | 28°
- Sun16° | 28°
Speed limits
- Motorways:
- 130kmh (81mph) Police often monitor speeds of motorists between two tolls on motorways
- Open roads:
- 90kmh (55mph) -110kmh (68 mph)
- Towns:
- 50kmh (30mph)
Road Safety
-
Alcohol limit:
- 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood
-
Use of mobile phone whilst driving:
- It is illegal to use a hand held mobile phone when driving and can result in an on the spot fine
- It is legal to use a hands free unit
-
Seat belts:
- Compulsory for front and rear seated occupants if fitted
- Children under the age of 4 years cannot travel in the front or rear passenger seat unless using suitable child seat
-
Traffic lights regulations:
- Red – Stop
- Amber – Slow down
- Green – Go
Costs
- Road tolls:
- Almost all motorways are toll roads
- The easiest way to pay tolls is to use a major credit card
- Alternatively, you can buy a Viacard from service stations and tourist offices
- On the spot fines:
- There are particularly heavy penalties for speeding offences
- Police officials provide a receipt on payment
General motoring advice
- Rush hour in built up areas:
- 0730-0930hrs
- 1700-2030hrs
- Fuel:
- Petrol stations are generally open 0700 -1300hrs and 1500 –1900hrs
- 24hrs self service stations are available throughout the country
- 24hrs manned service is always available on the motorways
- Credit and debit cards are widely accepted, although they may not work at automatic pumps, which are often the only pumps open out-of-hours and at lunch time away from the Autoroutes
- All grades of unleaded petrol (benzina), diesel (gasolio) and LPG are available
- Leaded fuel no longer exists
- It is allowed to carry petrol in a proper can
- Parking advice:
Ask the Agent at the National Car Rental location for advice on local parking rules and regulations