Renting a Car in Italy: Few Tips to Enjoy Your Italian Road Trip
Italy is a very beautiful country which you must for sure visit at least one time in your lifetime. The country has various great destinations and fantastic monuments that would surely enjoy your senses.
If you really want to explore the cities and the countrysides then the best option for you would be hire a car in Italy, because of the morphology of the Italian territory, which doesn’t give so many opportunities in terms of public transports.
We have written many times about Italy: see all our articles about hire a car in Italy.
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Hire a Car in Italy: few tips
There are many operating car renting companies in Italy. You can book a rental car from Avis, Hertz Italy, Maggiore Italy, Budget rent a car Italy, Sicily by Car, Win Rent and many others.
Some important tips and tricks that would help you to select the best car rental for your vacations in Italy are mentioned here: checking the local driving customs. If you have rented a car in Italy then you must be aware of all the driving rules and regulations.
Besides, you will see that italian car rental companies only offer cars just for trip inside the italian borders: if you have to rent a car to cross the border of the country then you must find about the terms and conditions to see for some exceptions.
The local traffic can really be troublesome, that is why you need to be very careful while driving a hired vehicle in big cities.
You will see that certain taxes are also charged from tourists when they enter major cities of Italy like Milan.
There are also various stop signs and stop lights which the tourists should never ignore. About the need for any permits, in order to hire a car in Italy it is very important for you to have the international Drivers Permit otherwise you would not be able to drive around the city (but no needs of it if you live in EU).
Before you come to Italy, make sure that you have the international Drivers permit as well as your regular driving license. Permits are sold by national automobile associations.
Driving in Italy offers a very different experience to driving in the UK, for example, like the rest of mainland Europe: only in UK countries you have to drive on the left-hand side.
Speed traps are common on Italian roads and police will often issue on the spot fines for motoring offences such as speeding.
If you are subject to one of these be sure that the officer collecting the fine issues you with an official receipt. Italy also has a stricter drink driving limit than the UK, so it is probably best to avoid drinking any alcohol if you are driving.
Make sure your car is prepared for the journey as snow chains or winter tyres are mandatory when driving (not only in mountainous areas, but wherever) between November and March or at any time there is snow; you will also need to ensure your hire car comes with a warning triangle, for safety reasons.
Widely regarded as one of Europe’s most culturally rich and socially diverse countries, there is so much to see and do in Italy!
Whether you are looking for some of the most iconic European cities such as Venice, Rome or Florence, or you want to experience the scenery of the Italian Lakes or the Alps in the north (from Treviso, maybe), a car rental will get you on your way.
You’ll find everything from palaces and gardens to nice architecture and art collections and, of course, the fantastic food and drink, all of which add up to a baggage of experiences for any holidaymaker.
And when you have finished your sightseeing and driving, why not retire to one of the many beaches, many of which are quiet and deserted outside the summer season? Hire your car in Italy and enjoy the most beautiful country in the world!
Let’s see now the most common researches when renting a vehicle in Italy.
The ultimate guide to renting a car in Italy
If you’re asking yourself “is renting a car in Italy a good idea?” – As we said before, definitely yes!
Renting a car in Italy gives you the freedom to move around at your own pace, allowing you to make the most of your time in this magnificent country.
With its wide array of rental options, you’ll be sure to find the perfect car that meets your needs and budget.
In this guide we will see the most frequently asked question about how to rent a car in Italy.
What is required to rent a car in Italy?
In order to rent a car in Italy:
- you must have a valid driver’s license that is accepted in the country,
- be at least 21 years of age (some companies may require you to be 25 or older),
- have a valid credit card in your name.
- You may also need to provide proof of insurance, such as a letter from your insurance company confirming coverage.
Renting a car in Italy with US driver’s license
If you’re planning a trip to Italy and need a car to get around, you’ll be pleased to know that you can rent a car there with just your US driver’s license.
With the right paperwork and some simple steps, you can hit the road and explore Italy in your own rental car.
If you drive with an US driver’s license, you must obtain an International Driver’s Permit (IDP) from the American Automobile Association (AAA) or the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA) before you travel to Italy.
There may be additional restrictions depending on the rental agency, but with the right preparation, you can ensure a smooth and hassle-free car rental experience.
Car rental insurance in Italy
Before you hit the road, it’s important to understand the local rental car insurance regulations. In Italy, rental car insurance is mandatory and must be purchased through the car rental agency.
This includes third-party liability coverage, which covers damage to other people’s property. It also includes collision damage waiver (CDW) coverage, which pays for damage to the rental car caused by an accident, theft, vandalism, or fire.
In addition to the mandatory insurance, many rental car agencies offer additional optional insurance coverage such as personal accident insurance, legal assistance, and roadside assistance.
It’s a good idea to inquire about these coverage options when booking your rental car, as they can provide extra peace of mind while driving in a foreign country.
Renting a car in Italy – which is the speed limit on Italian roads?
Italy has strict speed limits on its highways, with the speed limit varying depending on the type of road.
- On urban highways, the speed limit is 90 km/h (55 mph),
- on extra-urban highways it’s 110 km/h (68 mph),
- on “autostrade”, the speed limit is 130 km/h (81 mph).
On some highways, there are also temporary speed limits that can be enforced due to unusual traffic conditions, such as roadworks or heavy traffic.
In addition, it’s important to remember that fines for speeding can be quite steep in Italy, especially on highways. Depending on the speed at which you are traveling, the fines can range from €200 to €2,000. We already talked about this here.
Is it possible to cross the border with a rental car in Europe?
Yes, it is possible to cross the border in Europe with a rental car. However, it is important to check with the rental company to ensure that the agreement allows for the car to be taken across the border.
The rental company may also have additional restrictions, such as requiring an additional fee for taking the car across the border, so be sure to check everything.
How much does it cost to rent a car in Italy?
The cost of renting a car in Italy will depend on:
- the type of car you are looking for;
- the rental company you are using;
- the length of your rental;
- the location of the pick-up and drop-off points.
Generally, you can expect to pay anywhere between €30- €100 per day for a standard car, with additional charges for insurance, fuel and additional drivers.
How to rent a car in Italy? Choose Rentcar360! We allow you to book your car online, wherever, whenever. It’s simple, it’s fast and it gives you real time pricing.
You can request a car from a wide range of available vehicles in your location and make an easy booking.
We hope this guide has answered your questions on how to rent a car in Italy.
If not, we are always here to help!
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