Deutsch
Español
Français
Italiano
Nederlands
Polski
Português
How to Rent a Car: What You Need at the Desk
To rent a car, bring a valid licence held over 1 year, a photo ID and a card in the main driver's name. Here is each step from booking to return.
Oct 27, 20267 min read
Driving in Italy
- Currency
- EUR
- Driving side
- Right-hand traffic
- Speed limits
- 50 / 90 / 130 km/h
- Alcohol limit
- 0.5 ‰
- Motorway tolls
- motorway tolls paid at the barrier
- Rental locations
- 44
- Rental offices
- 580
- Rental companies
- 23
Renting and documents
A non-EU licence must be accompanied by an International Driving Permit.
Rules of the road
Speed limits are 50 km/h in towns, 90 km/h on open roads and 130 km/h on motorways. The alcohol limit is 0.5 ‰, and 0.0 ‰ in the first years of driving. Children below the age of 12 travel in a child seat.
Tolls and winter tyres
Motorways charge at the barrier, payable by cash, card or an electronic tag.
Compare car rental in Italy
500+ rental companies. Free cancellation on most bookings.
Popular searches in Italy
One click to the results with the filter already set.
Airports in Italy
- Abruzzo Airport PSR
- Bari Karol Wojtyła Airport BRI
- Bergamo-Il Caravaggio BGY
- Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport BLQ
- Brindisi – Salento Airport BDS
- Cagliari Elmas Airport CAG
- Catania-Fontanarossa Airport CTA
- Falcone–Borsellino Airport PMO
- Federico Fellini International Airport RMI
- Florence Peretola Airport FLR
- Genoa Cristoforo Colombo Airport GOA
- Lamezia Terme International Airport SUF
Show all 24 airports
- Linate Airport LIN
- Milan–Malpensa "Silvio Berlusconi" Airport MXP
- Naples International Airport NAP
- Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport OLB
- Perugia San Francesco d'Assisi PEG
- Pisa International Airport 'Galileo Galilei' PSA
- Roma Fiumicino Airport FCO
- Rome Ciampino Airport CIA
- Treviso Airport TSF
- Trieste – Friuli Venezia Giulia Airport TRS
- Turin Airport TRN
- Venice Marco Polo Airport VCE
Rental companies in Italy
Offices come from open map data — not every one can be booked through our search.
Hertz
- Offices
- 41
Europcar
- Offices
- 38
Avis
- Offices
- 36
Sixt
- Offices
- 35
Sicily by Car
- Offices
- 26
Locauto
- Offices
- 25
Maggiore
- Offices
- 20
Autovia
- Offices
- 18
Noleggiare
- Offices
- 13
Budget
- Offices
- 12
Centauro
- Offices
- 10
Goldcar
- Offices
- 10
Drivalia
- Offices
- 8
Enterprise
- Offices
- 7
Firefly
- Offices
- 7
Alamo
- Offices
- 4
National
- Offices
- 4
Thrifty
- Offices
- 4
Dollar
- Offices
- 3
Green Motion
- Offices
- 2
Record Go
- Offices
- 2
OK Mobility
- Offices
- 1
Frequently asked questions
Italy: which side of the road do they drive on?
On the right. Speed limits are posted at the roadside and differ between towns, open roads and motorways.
Which currency will I be charged in?
Prices are usually set in EUR. The rental company sets both the price and the deposit, and shows them before you book.
Can I drive the car into another country?
Often yes within the EU, but never assume it. Crossing a border has to be allowed by the rental company and usually costs extra, so check the terms before you book.
Do I need an International Driving Permit?
A non-EU licence must be accompanied by an International Driving Permit.
What are the speed limits in Italy?
50 km/h in towns, 90 km/h on open roads, 130 km/h on motorways.
Are the motorways tolled?
Motorways charge at the barrier. Payment is by cash, card or an electronic tag.
Travel guides to read before you book
Rental Car Insurance Explained: Do You Need It?
Rental car insurance includes third-party liability, which EU law requires for every vehicle. Damage to the car itself is a separate layer with an excess.
Oct 27, 20267 min read
International Driving Permit: Who Needs One and How
An international driving permit translates your licence and is valid only with it. A US permit costs $20 from AAA, a Great Britain one costs £5.50.
Oct 27, 20268 min read
Payment and driversCan I Rent a Car for Someone Else? Who Can Drive
Can I rent a car for someone else? Not really: only drivers named in the contract may drive, and many companies ask for 2 years with a full licence.
Oct 27, 20268 min read
Waivers and excessCollision Damage Waiver (CDW) and Excess Explained
A collision damage waiver covers damage to the rental car but leaves an excess. With extra cover that excess is typically 600 to 1,500 euros, or zero.
Oct 27, 20269 min read
Who covers the carDoes My Car Insurance Cover Rental Cars?
Does my car insurance cover rental cars? Often at home, if the policy says so. One Visa Infinite benefit lasts 15 days at home and 31 abroad. Read terms.
Oct 27, 20267 min read