Driving in Italy

Drivers from certain countries might find the customs of the road in Italy take some getting used to.

For starters it is not unusual for cars to drive far closer to each other than in other places, and overtaking is much more common. It’s not unusual to find locals flashing their lights at you on the motorway as a way of asking you to let them past, and seemingly daring maneuvers are commonplace.

In the tight and winding streets of many Italian cities, it’s not unusual to give parked cars a friendly bump as you maneuver into a space. It’s the kind of thing that could spark road rage elsewhere, but it seems perfectly acceptable in Italy. With that in mind, it’s probably worth getting excess insurance if you are driving a hire car, just in case another driver gives your vehicle an overzealous shove.

However, it doesn’t take long to get used to things, at least on the open road. The most important thing is not to panic, and make sure you hold your line.

While some things will just take practice, others are regulations you need to remember. For example, you are legally required to have a high-vis jacket and a warning triangle in your car in case you break down on the side of the road. You will also have to have side lights on at all times.