Driving in Italy

The total length of roadways of Italy is 487,700 km. Length of motorways - 6,758 km. In Italy all roads are paved.

Contents

Toll roads

In Italy, there is a charge for using roads depending on the category of vehicle and the distance traveled. Some tunnels are also subject to payment.

Toll rates on motorways at 2023:

The table shows approximate tariffs, which are calculated once at the beginning of the year on the basis of the Italian motorway website, provided that traffic between points is carried out along the selected motorway.

For example: Milan - Napoli (€ 58.20), if you driving on the A1 motorway only. When traveling by another route, the tariff may vary.

How toll rate is calculated

To calculate the amount due for payment, the customer must multiply the unit rate by the number of kilometres travelled. As well as the number of kilometres between toll plazas, the calculation has, since opening of traffic, always included the kilometres for junctions, link roads and stretches before and after the toll plaza that are built and managed by the concessionaire.

VAT (22%) must then be added to the above amount which is then rounded up or down to the closest 10 euro cents.

UNIT RATE PER km

The unit rate applied depends on the following elements:

• Type of vehicle (5 classes) — vehicles are classified based on physically measurable elements such as:
  1. shape - i.e. height of vehicle on the front axle perpendicular - for 2-axle vehicles (classes A, B)
  2. number of axles for vehicles or convoys with more than two axles (classes 3, 4 and 5).
  
  
• Characteristics of highway stretches travelled — plains or mountains
  
  

  Toll rates for some motorways in Italy

  Type of vehicle	A	B	3	4	5
  plain tariff (€/km)	0.07231	0.07401	0.09862	0.14864	0.17530
  mountain tariff (€/km)	0.08547	0.08749	0.11414	0.17426	0.20629

• Concessionaire managing the stretch — for routes covered by more than one company. In this case you need to calculate kilometres and unit rates of single concessionaires separately before rounding the figure up or down.

In 2023, motorway fares increased approximatly on 2% compared to 2022.

Payment at the toll gate

ENTRY gates:

Gates dedicated to Telepass customers have signs above the projecting roof with a yellow background and the wording "reserved for TELEPASS customers". All the other gates that issue tickets are marked by signs placed below at the entrance to the gate.

EXIT gates:

The signs aim to facilitate payment operations, enabling Customers to distinguish and identify, along the 2,855 km of the Autostrade per l'Italia network, the different payment options associated with each gate clearly and instantly. The layout provides for 5 types of boards (placed above the projecting roof) corresponding to the different payment options.

Payment methods

The yellow background — unequivocally indicates dynamic collection with Telepass.

The blue background — uniquely indicates that payment can only be made using the following cards: Viacard, Credit Cards and Cash cards.

The white background — indicates cash payments. Gates displaying these boards only accept payment through the automatic self-service till (enabled to give change). Along with the cash symbol, this board displays card logos on a blue background indicating that payment can also be made using Viacard, Credit and Cash Cards. Card logos placed on the lower part of the board indicate that this gate is not only for that type of payment.

The white background with hand — indicate that these gates only accept cash payments. The board displays the symbol for cash plus that of a hand to indicate that there is an operator present.

In Italy, there are fully automatic payment points. You insert the ticket you received earlier, and the amount payable is displayed on the monitor. You can pay in cash (banknotes and coins) or by credit card.

When paying for travel at automatic points, it is not necessary to lower the exact amount into the machine. The machine gives change, but only in coins. The amount of change may be limited.

You can learn more about vehicle classes and route calculation methods on the website Autostrade per l'Italia 

Special toll

Tunnel Mont Blanc

The Mont Blanc tunnel is laid under Mont Blanc between Chamonix (France) and Courmayeur (Italy). The Mont Blanc tunnel has a length of 11.611 m. Of these, in France - 7.644 m, in Italy - 3.967 m.

Tunnel location: Google Maps

Toll rate at 2023:

Tunnel prices on the Italian side are different from the prices on the French side.

Additional information about the Mont Blanc Tunnel 

Tunnel Great St. Bernard

Tunnel Great St. Bernard connects the Aosta Valley in Italy with the Valais canton in Switzerland. Tunnel Great St. Bernard has a length of 5.798 m. Of these, 1.602 m in Italy and 4.196 m in Switzerland.

Tunnel location: Google Maps

Toll rate at 2023:

Additional information about the Great St. Bernard Tunnel 

Tunnel Frejus

The Frejus Tunnel connects Bardonecchia in Italy and Modane in France. The Frejus Tunnel has a length of 12.895 m. Of these, 6.360 m in Italy and 6.535 m in France.

Tunnel location: Google Maps

Toll rate at 2023:

Frejus Tunnel fares in Italian (474 Кб).

Tunnel Munt la Schera

The Munt la Schera Tunnel connects the Livigno Valley in Italy with the Grisons Canton in Switzerland. The Munt la Schera tunnel has a length of 3.385 m. Since January 1, 2010, the tunnel has been working around the clock.

The tunnel has only one lane for movement (maximum width 2.5 m). Therefore, a reverse movement is organized in the tunnel, which is controlled by traffic lights. A change of direction occurs every 20 minutes.

Tunnel location: Google Maps

Toll rate at 2023 (valid from 1st May 2022 - 30th November 2022):

The fare is paid in cash (EUR and CHF) or by credit card.

For the passage through the tunnel in 2020-2021, special traffic rules apply:

Additional information about the Munt La Schera Tunnel 

Timmelsjoch High Alpine Road

This is an alpine road from Austria to Italy. Connects the Ötztal Valley in the Austrian state of Tyrol with the Passeier Valley in the Italian province of Bolzano.

Road location: Google Maps

The road is open for travel from June to October (depending on weather conditions) in the daytime.

Toll rate at 2023:

The return ticket is valid throughout the season, but it should not be used on the same day.

Parking (Parcheggio) in Italy

Many Italian cities have restrictions on the time at which parking is allowed in the center. These restrictions depend on the day of the week, time of day, and whether the date is an even or odd number. Severe punishment is imposed even for inadvertent violation of the rules.

It is best to park outside the walls of the main villages as the roads inside can be very narrow. If you find a parking lot it is usually a good idea to just park as a lot of time can be wasted looking for a better spot. You can only park in the direction of travel unless it's a one way street in which case you can park on either side of the road as long as there is a three metre gap for cars to get through.

Parking zones

Blue zone — blue parking lines indicate either “pay and install” (pay for a ticket in the machine and put it under the windshield) or set on the blue parking disk the time from which parking was paid. Blue discs can be purchased at banks, travel agencies, tobacco and post offices.

White zone — if parking is marked with white lines, this indicates that parking is free.

Yellow zone — indicates that this is a parking for disabled people or intended for delivery vehicles.

Enforcement of parking is done by the police and you may find you are clamped as well as fined. The cost for removal of clamps is expensive so be careful where you park. If you are causing an obstruction you may be towed away. Parking fines will set you back about 70 Euros.

Italy road map

Buy a Italy Road Map on Amazon 

Road rules in Italy

Speed limits

Standard speed limits in Italy (unless otherwise indicated on the signs).

Cars (to 3.5 tons) and motorcycles^[1]:

• built-up areas - 50 km/h
• outside built-up areas - 80 km/h
• expressway - 110 km/h
• motorway - 130 km/h

Cars with trailers:

• built-up areas - 50 km/h
• outside built-up areas - 70 km/h
• expressway - 80 km/h
• motorway - 80 km/h

¹ In rainy weather, speed limits are lower: 90 km/h on the expressway and 110 km/h on the motorways.

The same restrictions apply to cars equipped with studded tires.

For vehicles with snow chains the maximum permitted speed is not more than 50 km/h.

Alcohol

The maximum permitted level of alcohol in the bloodstream is 0.5 ‰.

If the blood alcohol level is more than 0.5 ‰ and less than 0.8 ‰, then the fine will be from € 527 to 2,108 and suspension of the driving license for a period of 3 to 6 months.

If the blood alcohol level is more than 0.8 ‰ and less than 1.5 ‰, then the fine will be from € 800 to 3,200 and suspension of the driving license for a period of 6 to 12 months.

If the blood alcohol level is more than 1.5 ‰, then the fine will be from € 1,500 to 6,000 and suspension of the driving license for a period of 1 to 2 years.

Refusal of the alcohol survey is punishable by a fine of € 1,500 to 6,000 and suspension of the driving license for a period of 6 months to 2 years. And it is also possible imprisonment for a period of 6 months to 1 year.

For drivers under the age of 21 years or whose experience is less than 3 years, the permissible level of alcohol in the blood is 0.00 ‰.

If the blood alcohol level of such drivers is more than 0.00 ‰ and less than 0.5 ‰, then the fine will be from € 163 to 658.

Dipped headlights

The use of dipped headlights is mandatory outside settlements and in conditions of poor visibility (in snow and rain). Also, the use of dipped headlights is mandatory when traveling through tunnels.

The rear fog lamps may only be used when visibility is less than 50 meters or in the event of heavy rain or snowfall.

In case of violation, a fine from € 41 to 168.

Children in cars

Children under 3 years old can only travel using suitable child restraint systems appropriate to their weight.

Children from 3 years old and shorter than 150 cm should use a child seat appropriate for their weight, or a booster.

Children taller than 150 cm can use regular seat belts.

The penalty for violating the rules for transporting children is from € 80 to 323.

Seat belts

Seat belts is mandatory for both front and rear passengers.

Fine from € 80 to 323.

Mobile phone

The use of a mobile phone while driving is restricted to use of a hands-free device.

Fine from € 160 to 646.

Window Tinting

It is forbidden to tint the windshield and front side windows.

Tinted rear windows are allowed, if the car is equipped with 2 side mirrors.

Fines

Police officers have the right to levy fines on the spot for traffic violations. If paid on the spot, the amount of the fine is 1/4 of the maximum amount of the fine. An official receipt is issued.

For serious crimes (speeding, driving at a red light, exceeding the permissible level of blood alcohol content, etc.) committed at night between 22:00 and 07:00, the fine is increased by a third.

Vehicles parked in violation of the rules may be taken away by the police at the owner's expense.

Traffic fines in Italy:

Restricted traffic area

Entering the restricted traffic zone ( zona traffico limitato ) - usually these zones are located in the historic centers of cities - is prohibited without special permission. Before entering such a zone there is a corresponding sign.

The only exception may be that your hotel is located inside such a zone. Upon arrival at the hotel, you must inform the staff of the number plate and model of the car. The staff will forward this data to the police, which will add your car to the list of allowed vehicles.

How to read such a sign? For example, this sign indicates that travel restrictions apply to unregistered cars and motorbikes. Travel is permitted for vehicles with disabilities, police, ambulances and emergency services. And also allocated hours for loading/unloading trucks.

If you have doubts about what is indicated on the sign, then it is better to play it safe and not enter under it.

Together with these signs are surveillance systems that automatically take foto of all vehicles entering this sign. The Italian authorities have 360 days to report a violation.

Useful information

Fuel prices

Unleaded gasoline (95 and 98 octane) and diesel fuel (Gasolio) are available in Italy. Leaded gasoline is absent. There are a large number of gas stations (LPG).

Trends gasoline prices in Italy for last years.

In the country, it is allowed to carry 10 liters gasoline in cans in a car.

In Italy, a huge number of gas stations. But keep in mind that many of those located in small towns can close for several hours in the middle of the day (like shops and restaurants). When entering such gas stations, the Aperto (open) or Chiuso (closed) sign is installed. Gas stations on motorways are open 24 hours a day. Gas stations on motorways are open 24 hours a day.

Emergency phone numbers

• European emergency number – 112
• Police – 113
• FIre – 115
• Roadside assistance – 116
• Ambulance – 118

Compulsory to carry in car

Оборудование, которое необходимо иметь в автомобиле :

• Warning triangle — except motorcycles
• Reflective jacket — mandatory when exiting a car that has stopped on a carriageway or curb at night or in conditions of poor visibility.
  Fine from € 41 to 168.

Winter equipment

Winter tires

The use of winter tires is optional, but highly recommended in the northern regions of the country. Any region can set its own requirements and timelines for the use of winter tires and snow chains.

In the Valle d'Aosta region, vehicles must be equipped with winter tires or summer tires with snow chains from October 15 to April 15.

In the Bolzano (Südtirol) region, winter tires must be installed on vehicles from November 15 to April 15, regardless of weather conditions.

If the car is not ready for winter conditions - a fine from € 80 to 318.

Spiked tires

The use of studded tires is permitted only from November 15 to March 15. Studded tires can only be used on vehicles with a gross weight of up to 3.5 tons. If used, studded tires should be mounted on all wheels, including the trailer.

Snow chains

Snow chains may be used if the appropriate traffic sign is installed.

Optional equipment and other rules

It is recommended to equip your cars with a set of spare bulbs.

The transport or use of radar detectors is prohibited. Violation of this rule will result in a fine of € 821 to € 3,287 and confiscation of the device.