mrt

Driving in Italy
I am going to Italy from Florida, U.S.A. Is my Florida Driver's License accepted to rent a car and to drive in italy. Someone said I need a special license.

adrienne

You need an International Driver's Permit which you can get from AAA. You will also need your US license.

mrt

I don't have AAA. Why would AAA control italy driving requirements. Isn't there an agency that administers this?

JerryS

Go to your local AAA. You do not have to be a member to get the IDP.
I would also suggest getting a GPS with your auto rental. It will make life much easier.

kybourbon

>>>Isn't there an agency that administers this?<<<

Yes, AAA or AATA. You don't have to be a member of either.

You can get it by mail from the National Automobile Club (AATA). You need to send in two passport photos (use passport setting on your digital camera) with the application (download from link below). The US government has only authorized AAA and AATA (link below)to issue these. Many countries don't require an IDP, but Italy does.

http://www.nationalautoclub.com/idp_faqs.htm

daveesl

The reason for the IDP is that it provides kind of a "rosetta stone" for your basic DL info, Like the number, your name, etc. This allows a police officer to easily find what they are looking for. I think it costs like $10.

dave

ira

Hey mrt,

>I don't have AAA. Why would AAA control italy driving requirements. Isn't there an agency that administers this?<

AAA is the designated agency in the US for getting your IDP. You can get one online from http://www.aaasouth.com

charnees

The IDP is just a translation of the info on your driver's license, so the police can tell which item is which. The AAA isn't "controlling" anything. They are providing you with a service. They are just re-writing your driver's license for Italian use. You don't need to belong. It costs about $25 as I remember, regardless whther you are a member or not.

Jennifer_Scutari

You are brave. They drive like maniacs there! Don't know why they have road lane markers....nobody uses them!

charnees

We have driven in Italy many times. I disagree with Jennifer. Except I would not drive in cities for many reasons. Not the least of them because the Zone of Traffic Limitation, where only resident cars are allowed. They are not well marked and you can accidentally drive into one and then get a whopping fine charged to your credit card that you used to rent the car (and this happens months after you come home.)

Driving outside the cities is not bad. But they drive very fast in the fast lane on the freeways (autostrade) and if you do not move over they will drive on your tail and flash their lights. The fast lane is supposed to be for passing only.

LoveItaly

Mrt, here is a good informative website about driving in Italy including the rules etc., from the SlowTravel website.

http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/driving/index.htm

ParisAmsterdam

Yes MRT, you need an IDP from the AAA. You may be able to rent a car without one but in the event you are stopped by he police you will be in trouble if you don't have an IDP. Get into an accident and your insurance will be void with you on the hook for all the damage.

Complaining that the AAA is 'controlling Italian driving requirements' is as silly as claiming the airlines control immigration to Europe... if you can't show your passport when you check in for your flight you aren't going anywhere.

daveesl

I agree with charnees, I've driven all over Italy (as well as most of the rest of Europe) and would much rather drive there than ANY major city in the US. Now I will say this, I have a hard and fast rule that I try to NEVER drive in cities, unless I absolutely have to. The reason isn't fear, it is because there are numerous restricted driving zones and lack of parking. It is easier to park outside and take mass transit into the city itself. Just like driving into NYC, LA or Boston, you gotta be nuts to do that.

dave

Mimar

If you go into your local AAA/CAA office, as well as issue the IDP, they will take the required photo for a nominal fee. More convenient that way.

cruisinqueen

My husband got the license at AAA. It took about 10 minutes and was no big deal. We are picking up a car as we leave Rome en route to Chiusdino and thinking about stopping for lunch in Orvieto. Any suggestions on where to park? Eat? Or a better idea?

charnees

In orvieto there is a large free parking lot at the bottom of the hill on the north side. From there take the escalator and stairs up to the train ticket office, go into the convenience store and buy a ticket for the ,funicular, then out the door and across the street to the funicular station. At the top of the hill get on the bus and ride it into the piazza del Duomo.

bobthenavigator

Or, get the car first to hold the luggage, and drive up the hill and park behind the Duomo--it is all well marked.

jnjfraz

We drive in Italy all the time. Just have to know how they think. BobtheNavigator has a great list about driving..... I have seen it on this site and also slowtrav.com

mamamia2

Italian (and southern French) are superb drivers. They follow the logical rule of "Slower Traffic Keep Right" so you use the left lane (or even the middle lane in a 3-lane highways) ONLY FOR PASSING.

I wish American drivers were as smart.... We would have less congestion and less road rage...

cruisinqueen

Thank you Bob and Charnees. We have rented a very small car. We are trying to pack very light- a challege but even so, I hope our bags fit in the tiny trunk. If there is a bag in the car is it safe in either of these lots? I have downloaded maps and routing on my ipad2 and by pushing home button and on/off button at once I was able to photograph them so I will not need a paper map or wifi. We purchased the GPS garmin 275 on Amazon, loaded with European and North American maps for about the same price of a rental (as we are returning the car to a different location there were drop off charges)