- It is cheaper to rent a car in advance in your home country than to book a car in Italy.
- 95% of rental cars in Italy have manual transmission. Very few are automatic.
- Make sure you have your driving licenses, both plastic and international, with you – no photocopy will help if you forget them at home.
- Don’t leave without a data package that supports the Waze app. You will use it a lot during your trip.
- Do not enter the highway without taking the entry ticket even if the barrier is wide open – the full bill will still come to you.
- Do not enter the area known as ZONA TRAFFICO LIMITATO (ZTL) – restricted traffic zone. Entry into these areas is prohibited for you, and if you accidentally entered – you were photographed, and the fine will be on its way to your home.
If you accidentally entered because you are staying at a central hotel or want to park in regulated parking in the city centers – remember to ask at the hotel reception or when paying at the parking meter for the cancellation of the vehicle photo and the upcoming fine. It is common in Italy to request this.
7. When entering the highway – do not stand in the TELEPASS lane (yellow) – it is only for subscribers. Enter the CARTE lane (blue) – for payment by credit card (the easiest, quickest, and most convenient). Or the lane with the currency symbol – for cash payment (make sure to have coins or small bills of 5/10/20 Euro).
8. Always make sure to pay for public parking even if you are in a remote town in the mountains. The inspectors will make sure to give you tickets even there.
9. Be careful not to leave valuable items in the car and do not leave any noticeable equipment in the parking lot, especially if it is open. Make sure to put what you can in the trunk and cover it.
10. Adhere to the speed limit and do not exceed it. There are speed traps around every corner.
