Car Rental in Italy – Full of charm

You must be at least 18 years of age and have held your driving licence for at least one year to rent a car in Italy. If you’re under the age of 21 years, you may be charged a Young Driver Surcharge on top of your rental rate. This may also apply to anyone under the age of 26 years of age. Age restrictions vary from supplier so make sure you’re fully aware of the terms and conditions. Further information can be found by clicking on the blue (i) icon during the online booking process – results screen. Consult our information about age restrictions section for those visiting Italy.

Yes – it is possible to collect your car from one location and drop it off in another location. A fee may apply for this privilege and specific terms and conditions may apply which vary between suppliers. Both domestic and international one-way car hire is available with relevant charges added. To book simply add your desired dates, pick-up location and alternative drop-off location.

The booking engine will then display the relevant and available suppliers that are willing to allow a one-way car rental. The one-way fee amount will appear in the breakdown section of your rental rate. Generally, this fee with be paid locally to the supplier with Auto Europe providing the amount details for transparency only. To be able to provide you with the correct information, you must inform us of your travel plans. We will liaise with the supplier and confirm the booking beforehand. This is especially important if you wish to drive outside of Italy, as some suppliers may not allow this.

The fee is dependent on the car category, duration of your rental and locations chosen. If planning to drive into Germany, Spain, France and many other western European countries – it is more than likely your request will be allowed. If, however, you plan to drive to an Eastern Europe country – restrictions may apply.

Yes – a credit card from one of the major suppliers is required. The credit card must be under the main driver’s name and contain enough funds for a security deposit to be held on it. The deposit amount is stated in your rental voucher’s terms and conditions. The amount taken will be released back onto your card once it has been confirmed that your vehicle is in the same condition as when it left. Some bookings may request more than one credit card for this purpose. Generally, these are for luxury car bookings.

Mastercard and Visa credit cards are accepted. For full details on your deposit amount and accepted cards please consult your terms and conditions or by clicking the (i) icon during the booking process. We highly recommend your video and photograph your vehicle during pick-up and then again once you have dropped it off.

In Italy you drive on the right-hand side of the road like in other countries in Europe. The speed limit is 130 kph on motorways, 110 kph in rural areas and 50 kph in urban built up areas. The wearing of seatbelts is mandatory for everyone in the vehicle. Drink driving and drug driving is prohibited, and so is the use of a mobile phone. There may be other road rules and regulations when you rent a car in Italy. Such as, the need to be over 18 years of age to drive in the country. Individual suppliers may have differing policies, so it’s best to check beforehand.

Other important factors of note are that trams have right of way. A Hi-Viz must be always worn by everyone when involved in an accident or breakdown. Petrol stations on motorways are generally open 24 hours, whilst in urban areas and especially rural, opening times may vary significantly. Lights must be dipped when driving on motorways and if needed, police can be contacted on 113, fire brigade on 115 and the ambulance service on 118.

Yes – when driving in Italy you can expect to pay tolls on most of its motorways. Autopistas as they are known in Italy are signposted in green. The amount payable is dependent on the car type and the distance travelled. Bank cards are accepted as forms of payment; however, we always recommend carrying some money to pay for tolls.

For ease, you may sign-up to the Telepass payment portal which allows you to pass through tolls and have the amount deducted from your bank account with ease. Other similar devices include the Carte and pre-paid Viacard. Read our tolls in Italy section for more information.

With the base rate provided you have the minimal legal cover for driving in Italy. This is Collision Damage Waiver (CDW), Theft Protection, Fire Insurance and third-party liability. Although this basic cover does not cover you for all eventualities and parts. Due to this we highly recommend taking out our Full Damage Protection for greater security. This helps cover additional parts of the vehicle and more eventualities, plus your deductibles are reduced.

Local suppliers may also offer additional insurance – these are strictly optional. Auto Europe does not endorse any insurance taken out directly from the supplier. Nor do we refund any unwanted insurance even if deemed unnecessary afterwards. Such optional insurances include Travel Insurance, Breakdown cover, Super CDW and more.

For more car insurance information simply click on the blue (i) icon during the online booking process. Please be aware that for those renting a car in the Campania, Catania and Puglia regions – that the supplier may charge double the excess in the event of vehicle theft.

Yes – including an additional driver with your booking is possible when you opt for a car rental in Italy. There is normally a daily fee for this service known as “Additional Driver Fee”. On our website we often partner with suppliers to offer “Free Additional Driver” promotions on select bookings. Look for the green message over your rental rate during your search results.

It is important that you provide the details of everyone that will drive the vehicle. Failure to do so will make your insurance void. This will result in you being charged for any damage or losses incurred to the vehicle. It is also illegal to drive uninsured. Added driver’s must be authorised to drive by the supplier and added to the booking accordingly. Added drivers must provide the same paperwork as the main driver upon pick-up.

For further information or to see what current Free Additional Driver offers are available consult our free additional driver section.

Numerous Italian towns and cities have adopted a Zona Traffico Limitato (ZTL) areas. The aim is to reduce vehicles and thus pollution, and to make the environment substantially better for residents. Reducing vehicles also means less congestion in key areas and around protected monuments. Zones covered are normally in city centres and old historical areas. Rome, Palermo, Milan, Pisa and Bergamo are just some cities who have adopted this policy.

ZTL areas are noticeable by their large signs. The sign consists of a red circle with information pertaining to the hours of operation. Cameras are located at entry and exit points into the zone. If entering unauthorised you can expect a fine. This fine will be sent to you via the car rental supplier, with an added administration fee. If your accommodation is located in such an area. Please inform the hotel that you will be driving. They in turn will provide your vehicle details to the local police. Once registered with the police you can enter only that zone and no other. A fee may be applied by the police for registration.

Consult the Zone Traffico Limitato (ZTL) blog post to find out more on ZTL areas and what happens if you enter one without authorization.