Driving in Italy
Discussion
Driving tips and rules for Italy –
Keep your car headlights on all the time. The law was changed because too many drivers were not putting their lights on at dusk in the hope that it would save petrol, the bulbs, or err, something.
Buy a neon yellow vest and keep it in your glove box. Another new law after too many people were killed changing tyres by the side of the road.
Make sure you have your insurance documents and driving licence with you. If you get stopped by the police this is what they will usually be checking for. The reason the police will be armed is that too many people (Mafia) down South didn’t have car insurance and would shoot whoever stopped them.
For some reason whenever I have been stopped, the tall skinny one has the pistol and does all the talking, while the short fat one holds the machine gun and is obviously thinking about lunch.
Don’t worry if you get stopped, the police on the whole are a friendly bunch and will just be curious about what you think about Italy. Last time I was pulled over, when I might have been going a bit quick, I was told off a bit, papers were checked and I was on my way within 5 minutes.
If you are asked to pay a fine and think at the time it is just for extra “pocket money” then offer to write a cheque and ask for a receipt. Don’t be rude or pushy and even if you are on holiday treat the police with the respect you would back home. Any real problems, give me a shout.
Speed Cameras. There are none in the region where I live so I am not sure what the situation is with these.
Police with speed guns by the side of the road. Seen this twice in 4 years on main roads. And the same number on the motorway.
Speeding. The official limit is 130 kph on the Motorway, less if it is raining. My only advice would be to see what others are doing and (if you want) take that as a lead. It is quite common to see BMWs, Audis and Mercedes in convoy at twice this limit. For some reason it is usually the Mercedes that get pulled for “rapid progress” You have a chat, pay the fine and go on your way. At the moment you will not get points on your licence.
Slow right down when going through towns and villages. You will find people will just pull out without looking, open car doors and generally not worry too much about road traffic.
Horn. Use your horn; it will save you and your car. The best thing to do is pretend you are Italian and having a conversation. It is not seen as rude to beep, more like just saying, Ciao! Don’t be all British (or whatever) and think that it would be rude to interrupt the chap on his mobile phone that is coming towards you on your side of the road. He is probably deep in conversation talking about food or football. He will be happy that you took the effort to say hi, oh and by the way could he move over a bit and not hit you head on.
Lights. If you are driving along the Motorway at 130kph and you get a driver 10cm behind you flashing their lights, don’t panic. They just want to get past and on their way. They are not being pushy; it is just the style of driving here.
Road rage. I haven’t ever come across any the whole time I have driven in Italy. Someone cuts you up, just use your horn, a few choice swearwords and the right hand gesture and everything is ok. (Just don’t insult their Mother)
You will get lost in any city you go to. Best thing is to buy a sat nav and use it. It saved me in Rome and Bologna.
Mobile phones. Everyone seems to be on the phone while driving, all the time. My only advice would be to just be aware that Italian drivers could be fairly unobservant at the best of time. Add in a phone call, chatting to a friend or reading the paper (regular occurrence) and you have a recipe for disaster. Just be aware that the driver in front or coming the other way really might be an idiot and you will be ok.
If, (and this is a big if) you do something really stupid then there is often a way out of the situation. This normally involves some smooth talking and some money changing hands. It also helps if you know the local Mayor and Head of Police and can ask for a favour. Left me know if you are in deep trouble and I will see if I can help.
Do please add to the list if you think of all the things I have missed. It really is a wonderful place to drive.
Great scenery, wonderful roads and no bloody cameras.
Enjoy.
Keep your car headlights on all the time. The law was changed because too many drivers were not putting their lights on at dusk in the hope that it would save petrol, the bulbs, or err, something.
Buy a neon yellow vest and keep it in your glove box. Another new law after too many people were killed changing tyres by the side of the road.
Make sure you have your insurance documents and driving licence with you. If you get stopped by the police this is what they will usually be checking for. The reason the police will be armed is that too many people (Mafia) down South didn’t have car insurance and would shoot whoever stopped them.
For some reason whenever I have been stopped, the tall skinny one has the pistol and does all the talking, while the short fat one holds the machine gun and is obviously thinking about lunch.
Don’t worry if you get stopped, the police on the whole are a friendly bunch and will just be curious about what you think about Italy. Last time I was pulled over, when I might have been going a bit quick, I was told off a bit, papers were checked and I was on my way within 5 minutes.
If you are asked to pay a fine and think at the time it is just for extra “pocket money” then offer to write a cheque and ask for a receipt. Don’t be rude or pushy and even if you are on holiday treat the police with the respect you would back home. Any real problems, give me a shout.
Speed Cameras. There are none in the region where I live so I am not sure what the situation is with these.
Police with speed guns by the side of the road. Seen this twice in 4 years on main roads. And the same number on the motorway.
Speeding. The official limit is 130 kph on the Motorway, less if it is raining. My only advice would be to see what others are doing and (if you want) take that as a lead. It is quite common to see BMWs, Audis and Mercedes in convoy at twice this limit. For some reason it is usually the Mercedes that get pulled for “rapid progress” You have a chat, pay the fine and go on your way. At the moment you will not get points on your licence.
Slow right down when going through towns and villages. You will find people will just pull out without looking, open car doors and generally not worry too much about road traffic.
Horn. Use your horn; it will save you and your car. The best thing to do is pretend you are Italian and having a conversation. It is not seen as rude to beep, more like just saying, Ciao! Don’t be all British (or whatever) and think that it would be rude to interrupt the chap on his mobile phone that is coming towards you on your side of the road. He is probably deep in conversation talking about food or football. He will be happy that you took the effort to say hi, oh and by the way could he move over a bit and not hit you head on.
Lights. If you are driving along the Motorway at 130kph and you get a driver 10cm behind you flashing their lights, don’t panic. They just want to get past and on their way. They are not being pushy; it is just the style of driving here.
Road rage. I haven’t ever come across any the whole time I have driven in Italy. Someone cuts you up, just use your horn, a few choice swearwords and the right hand gesture and everything is ok. (Just don’t insult their Mother)
You will get lost in any city you go to. Best thing is to buy a sat nav and use it. It saved me in Rome and Bologna.
Mobile phones. Everyone seems to be on the phone while driving, all the time. My only advice would be to just be aware that Italian drivers could be fairly unobservant at the best of time. Add in a phone call, chatting to a friend or reading the paper (regular occurrence) and you have a recipe for disaster. Just be aware that the driver in front or coming the other way really might be an idiot and you will be ok.
If, (and this is a big if) you do something really stupid then there is often a way out of the situation. This normally involves some smooth talking and some money changing hands. It also helps if you know the local Mayor and Head of Police and can ask for a favour. Left me know if you are in deep trouble and I will see if I can help.
Do please add to the list if you think of all the things I have missed. It really is a wonderful place to drive.
Great scenery, wonderful roads and no bloody cameras.
Enjoy.
blueyes said:
Good post... but I think a lot of it applies more to the south of the country: Rome and below.
I live in Marche, and have based my comments on driving there and the surounding regions(Tuscany, Umbria etc). It is a different situation when you get to Naples (so be warned) and below.
gmk666 said:
A really useful post. If only you'd posted it 3 weeks ago.
Sorry, only just got round to posting up these tips.gmk666 said:
..back from my honeymoon which featured a 1966 Alfa Duetto and a 10 day trip taking in Rome, Naples and the Amalfi coast.
Congratulations. Do you mind me asking where you hired the Alfa from ?I am thinking about setting up a classic car (or Lotus 7) car hire company in Marche and was wondering how you got on with the people you used.
And, yes Naples really is quite mad.
If you want to get fully into the swing of things I can recommend turning off the air con and instead roll down all the windows and hang one arm out, yes by the end of you trip one arm will be more tanned than the other. This arm is best used to signal to other drivers, gesticulate when having an in-depth (usually food based) conversation with your passenger and generally point things out. You will find your control of the car is not so good but this is looked upon as only a small downside.
Sunglasses. These obviously should never, ever be taken off, ever. Rain, snow or darkness are no excuse. The darker and bigger they are the better.
Sunglasses. These obviously should never, ever be taken off, ever. Rain, snow or darkness are no excuse. The darker and bigger they are the better.
blueyes said:
Olivero said:
Cafe Machiatto* Although with the proviso that all drinks should be consumed standing up at the bar while wearing sunglasses and chatting up the staff.
At last some sense! - The taste has nothing to do with the fact that all the staff are young, female and very perky (honest).
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