Taking Italy by car: tips for stress -free driving!

Taking Italy by car: tips for stress -free driving!

Travelers who want to drive to Italy by car should adapt to the lively but generally not aggressive traffic conditions. The horn is a usual communication method among the drivers. However, the traffic rules and the special features that need to be considered are particularly important in order to avoid unpleasant surprises. The Italian road traffic follows specific speed limits: It is 50 km/h in town, 90 km/h, 110 km/h on expressways and 130 km/h on motorways, whereby the top speed is reduced to 110 km/h when it rains. In order to control the speed on strongly frequented connecting routes, many regions use "Section Control" systems that measure the average speed.

Another important topic is the toll fees on the Italian highways, also known as the "Autostrade". For a passage from South Tyrol to Calabria, the costs can be up to 90 euros, depending on the selected route and the vehicle type. Payments to toll stations are possible both bar and by credit card or electronically via telepass. Travelers should be careful not to move on the wrong lanes, which may only be approved for telepass users, since in this case the license plate is recorded and subsequent invoices can be sent.

Traffic rules and environmental zones

In the historic old towns in particular, many Italian cities of ZTL zones (Zona a Traffico Limitato) have introduced, which are closed to non-residents and are often monitored. Such ZTLs are present in almost all cities that are important touristically to protect the old city nuclei. Only certain vehicles, including residents and delivery vehicles, are allowed to enter zones, with exceptions to certain emission classes or for people with disabilities. Travelers should make sure to park their car outside of the ZTL in parking garages and to find out about parking and possibly required entry permits when booking the hotel. Hotels can also issue limited entry permits for your guests.

Especially in cities such as Milan, where Area C and Area B have different fee structures, it is advisable to find out beforehand about the applicable regulations and fees. The signage of the ZTL can vary and is not always easy to interpret, which often leads to misunderstandings. The access roads are monitored by video cameras or the local police, and violations of the entry bans can result in sensitive fines. Travelers have the opportunity to contact the legal center of the ADAC in the event of a fine.

Petrol stations and parking

Fueling can be more expensive in Italy than in Germany, especially at motorway filling stations. However, travelers often find cheaper prices at smaller, independent petrol stations. Various apps such as "Prezzi Benzina" help with price comparison and often only the card payment is possible at machines. Parking in Italian cities is usually based on a color code system: white lines stand for free parking, blue lines for paid and yellow lines for special permits. In many cities, parking can also be paid via apps such as "Easypark" or "Telepass Pay", which makes handling easier.

For emergencies, travelers should have useful Italian vocabulary, such as "Carburante" (fuel), "Benzina" (petrol), "Gommista" (tire dealer) and "Meccanico" (mechanic). Special rules apply in road traffic, in contrast to Germany there is no rescue alley, so that if an emergency, the warning indicators should be switched on in an emergency. There are special traffic regulations to be observed in summer, especially for the SS163 on the Amalfi Coast.

For more information about driving in Italy, interested travelers can use the itemsMercuryandADACvisit.