Do I need an IDP to rent & drive a car in Italy?

Question

I think it is too late for me to obtain an IDP International drivers permitt...but I do want to drive in Italy especially going into the countryside not so much in Rome. Do I need an IDP to rent & drive a car in Italy?

Answer 1

No, you do not need an IDP to drive here in Italy. Your driver's licence with your passport is good to rent and drive a car if you are here as a tourist only (max 3 months).

Answer 2

Good for you.  Driving is really the way to get to many of the interesting places in Italy.

All you need is your driver's license.

I can recommend the car rental agency we've been using for a number of years.  It's www.italybycar.com.   It is affliated with Thrifty Car Rental in some way (shares a counter) but has it's own web site.  I've found their rates to be better than most (much better than the big names) and their service has been good.

You will pay extra to pick up the car at one of the Airports.  So if you're staying in Rome you might want to pick it up at the train station (the car rental counters are a little hard to find - but they are there).

You are required to take most insurance in Italy and Italy by car includes it in the rental cost quoted on the web.  There is also a deductible of about 850 Euros which you can pay to waive.  If, like me, you decide not to waive the deductible (it's expensive for a long rental), you will have a credit hold placed on your card for the deductible, so come with enough credit to handle that.

If you are going to drive in Rome at all, you need to be very careful about the ZTL (zona a traffico limitato).  This is a zone you cannot drive in without a permit.  Most Italian cities and towns have such a zone and it's generally a good idea not to violate them.  But Rome has gone a step further and enforces with video cameras so it's easy to get caught and the rental company will catch up with you.

When you rent a car, the sizes are much smaller than in the US.  But that's good because the gas costs twice as much (even now).