Fixed speed camera
SignpostedAutovelox
Catches: Speeding.
Since 12 June 2024, cameras outside towns may only be used where the limit is no more than 20 km/h below the road's general limit, unless the road's layout or crash record justifies it.
Driving in Italy: the road rules for visitors
In Italy you drive on the right, with the steering wheel on the left, and roundabouts go anticlockwise. At junctions without signs or road markings, traffic from your right goes first, even from a small side street.
Watch for fixed, mobile, average speed and red light cameras, and for the cameras at the entrances to restricted traffic zones.
RightSide of the road
50km/h in towns
90km/h on country roads
130km/h on motorways
0.05blood alcohol limit
Noturning right on red
Limitedearphones while driving
112emergency number
The rules that catch visitors out
The most important first.
Priority to the right
At a junction without signs, give way to traffic coming from your right, even from a small side street. The same applies at roundabouts without give way signs.
Phone use costs your licence
Holding a phone while driving costs €250 to €1,000 and a licence suspension of 15 days to 2 months, even for a first offence.
Lower limits in rain
In rain or snow the motorway limit drops from 130 to 110 and the limit on main roads outside towns drops from 110 to 90, without any sign telling you.
Limited traffic zones (ZTL)
Only vehicles with a permit may enter while the zone is active. A camera at every gate records each number plate. An electronic panel at the gate shows ZTL ATTIVA in red when the zone is closed and ZTL NON ATTIVA in green when it is open. Older panels say VARCO ATTIVO, which also means closed. Where: Historic centres of many cities and towns, including Rome, Florence, Milan and Pisa. Fine: €83 to €332 plus notification costs. Repeated entries into the same zone on the same day bring one fine. A hire car has no permit. If your hotel is inside a ZTL, ask the hotel to register your number plate before you drive in. That authorisation covers only that zone, not others in the city.
Rome ZTL Centro Storico
Closed to vehicles without a permit from 6:30 to 18:00 Monday to Friday and from 14:00 to 18:00 on Saturday, except public holidays. A night zone also applies from 23:00 to 3:00 on Friday and Saturday nights, except in August. Where: Historic centre of Rome. Fine: €83 to €332. Rome has five ZTLs. Park outside the centre and use public transport.
Florence ZTL
In the central sectors A, B and O, cameras enforce the zone from 7:30 to 20:00 Monday to Friday and from 7:30 to 16:00 on Saturday. From spring to early autumn a night zone also runs on some nights from 23:00 to 3:00. Where: Historic centre of Florence, a UNESCO World Heritage site, split into sectors A, B, O, F and G. Fine: €83 to €332. You can buy a daily permit online, for transit only or for transit and parking in residents' spaces. Print it and display it in the car. Permits cannot be refunded, and one vehicle can have at most 10 a month. Guests of authorised hotels and B&Bs can get free daily permits through their accommodation.
Seasonal ZTLs at UNESCO sites
Since the 2024 reform, traffic can be restricted for up to five months a year to protect UNESCO sites. Where: Areas around UNESCO World Heritage sites chosen by a region, autonomous province or road owner. Fine: €87 to €344.
13 more rules worth knowing
Roundabouts go anticlockwise
Go anticlockwise and give way to traffic already on the roundabout, which comes from your left.
Headlights on outside towns
Outside built-up areas you must drive with dipped headlights on at all times, even in bright sun. Daytime running lights count, except in tunnels and poor visibility.
Fines arrive months later
The hire company gives your details to the police and may charge an admin fee. The fine follows within 360 days, often from a collection agency acting for the Italian police.
Milan charges to enter the centre
Driving into Milan's Area C on a weekday between 7:30 and 19:30 costs €7.50. Pay by midnight the next day, or it rises to €22.50.
Zero alcohol for young and new drivers
Drivers under 21, and drivers in their first three years after getting a car licence, must not drink at all before driving. New drivers are also limited to 100 on motorways and 90 on main roads outside towns.
Hi-vis vest before you step out
Outside built-up areas you must put on a hi-vis vest before you get out of a broken-down car at night or in poor visibility, even on the hard shoulder.
Child seat alarm in hire cars
Cars registered in Italy must use an alarm that warns if a child under 4 is left in the car. Ask for a child seat that has one.
Speed limits
The sign with the town's name on it sets the town limit by itself, usually with no speed sign. Limits drop when it rains.
Rome Fascia Verde
Some more polluting vehicles may not use roads in the green band. Where: Most of Rome.
Milan Area C
Cameras at every entry record vehicles from 7:30 to 19:30, Monday to Friday. Each day you enter costs €7.50 if you pay by midnight on the day after. Between then and the seventh day the charge is €22.50. It is not active on weekends and public holidays. Where: Milan city centre inside the Cerchia dei Bastioni ring. Buy a ticket online from the Area C portal, at a parking meter, a tobacconist or a partner car park, and link it to your number plate. One ticket covers every entry that day.
Florence Scudo Verde
Vehicles built before about 1997, such as Euro 0 petrol and Euro 0 and 1 diesel cars, are banned 24 hours a day, every day. There is no charge for other vehicles. Where: About two thirds of Florence's built-up area, behind 77 camera gates. A modern hire car is not affected.
Toll roads
Most motorways charge a toll. On most of them you take a ticket when you join and pay at a booth when you leave, based on where you joined. Lanes marked for telepedaggio, such as Telepass, are for drivers with an electronic toll tag. Without a tag, use a staffed lane or a self-service lane. Staffed lanes take cash and the main credit and debit cards. Self-service lanes take cash or cards, and some take cards only (solo carte).
No overtaking at pedestrian crossings
You must not overtake a vehicle that has stopped or slowed down to let pedestrians cross.
Speed limits
Where no sign says otherwise, in kilometres per hour.
Towns and cities
Towns can raise the limit to 70 on suitable roads, but only where signs say so.
Country roads
Secondary and local roads outside towns. The limit does not drop in rain.
Dual carriageways
90 in the wet. Main roads outside towns (strade extraurbane principali), marked by a blue sign with a white car.
Motorways
110 in the wet. On some three-lane motorways with average-speed cameras, the operator can raise the limit to 150 where signs say so.
- The wet limits apply during rain, snow or any other precipitation. No sign tells you.
- Drivers in their first three years after passing their test must not exceed 100 on motorways or 90 on main roads outside towns.
- The town name sign marks the start of the built-up area, where 50 applies. The same sign with a red bar ends it.
Who goes first
Look left first
You stop at the stop line.
Priority to the right
Both cars arrive at a junction with no signs or lines.
When your road has priority
You are on a priority road, shown by the yellow diamond.
The app animates all 7 junctions for Italy, including the ones above.
Open it in the appSigns to know
Limited traffic zoneZona traffico limitato (ZTL)
Entry to a limited traffic zone. During the hours shown, only vehicles with a permit may enter. Where cameras enforce it, a panel reading CONTROLLO ELETTRONICO ZTL is added.
ZTL active / ZTL not activeZTL attiva / ZTL non attiva
Tells you whether the zone is in force right now. ATTIVA, or the older VARCO ATTIVO, means it is in force and the camera will fine you.
Electronic speed checkControllo elettronico della velocità
A speed camera or police speed check is ahead. The law requires this warning before fixed and mobile checks.
Start of built-up areaInizio centro abitato
You are entering a built-up area. The 50 km/h limit and a ban on using the horn start here unless other signs say otherwise.
End of built-up areaFine centro abitato
End of the built-up area. The 50 km/h limit ends and the limit for the type of road applies.
Motorway direction signSegnale di direzione autostradale
This way leads to a motorway (autostrada). Most motorways charge a toll.
MotorwayAutostrada
Start of a motorway. The limit is 130 km/h, or 110 km/h in rain or snow, and tolls usually apply.
Speed limitLimite massimo di velocità
Maximum speed in km/h from this point.
Give wayDare precedenza
Give way to traffic on the road you are joining.
StopFermarsi e dare precedenza
Stop completely at the line and give way.
Priority roadDiritto di precedenza
You are on a priority road. Traffic from side roads must give way to you.
End of priority roadFine del diritto di precedenza
Your priority ends. Priority to the right applies again at junctions without signs.
Speed cameras
Italy uses fixed speed cameras, average-speed cameras on motorways, mobile police checks, red light cameras and cameras at the gates of limited traffic zones. Speed checks must be announced in advance by signs. Fines are sent by post, often months later.
Average speed camera
SignpostedTutor
Looks like: Cameras on gantries over the motorway, at the start and end of a section several kilometres long.
Catches: Average speed between two gantries. The newer Tutor 3.0 also measures speed at each gantry.
Used on sections of the A1, A4, A14 and many other motorways. The Polizia di Stato publishes a map of active sections.
Mobile camera
SignpostedPostazione mobile
Catches: Speeding.
Police set up portable speed checks at the roadside. They must be signposted in advance, at least 1 km before on roads outside towns.
Every camera type in Italy, the warning signs and how fines reach you
Licence and International Driving Permits
| Licence from | Permit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| the EU, Iceland | Not needed | Licences issued in the EU and the European Economic Area are valid on their own. |
| United Kingdom | Not needed | A UK photocard licence is valid on its own for visitors. If you still have an old paper licence, you may need an IDP. |
| Australia, New Zealand, United States, Canada, Japan | Required | Licences from outside the EU and EEA must be carried with an International Driving Permit or an official translation. Driving without one can cost €408 to €1,634. |
What to carry
- Driving licence
- International Driving Permit or official translation, if your licence is from outside the EU, EEA and UK
- Passport, which police normally ask for at a roadside check
- Vehicle registration document (carta di circolazione), kept in the car
- Hire agreement
Zones and tolls
Limited traffic zones (ZTL)
Only vehicles with a permit may enter while the zone is active. A camera at every gate records each number plate. An electronic panel at the gate shows ZTL ATTIVA in red when the zone is closed and ZTL NON ATTIVA in green when it is open. Older panels say VARCO ATTIVO, which also means closed. Where: Historic centres of many cities and towns, including Rome, Florence, Milan and Pisa. Fine: €83 to €332 plus notification costs. Repeated entries into the same zone on the same day bring one fine.
Tip: A hire car has no permit. If your hotel is inside a ZTL, ask the hotel to register your number plate before you drive in. That authorisation covers only that zone, not others in the city.
Rome ZTL Centro Storico
Closed to vehicles without a permit from 6:30 to 18:00 Monday to Friday and from 14:00 to 18:00 on Saturday, except public holidays. A night zone also applies from 23:00 to 3:00 on Friday and Saturday nights, except in August. Where: Historic centre of Rome. Fine: €83 to €332.
Tip: Rome has five ZTLs. Park outside the centre and use public transport.
Rome Fascia Verde
Some more polluting vehicles may not use roads in the green band. Where: Most of Rome.
Milan Area C
Cameras at every entry record vehicles from 7:30 to 19:30, Monday to Friday. Each day you enter costs €7.50 if you pay by midnight on the day after. Between then and the seventh day the charge is €22.50. It is not active on weekends and public holidays. Where: Milan city centre inside the Cerchia dei Bastioni ring.
Tip: Buy a ticket online from the Area C portal, at a parking meter, a tobacconist or a partner car park, and link it to your number plate. One ticket covers every entry that day.
Florence ZTL
In the central sectors A, B and O, cameras enforce the zone from 7:30 to 20:00 Monday to Friday and from 7:30 to 16:00 on Saturday. From spring to early autumn a night zone also runs on some nights from 23:00 to 3:00. Where: Historic centre of Florence, a UNESCO World Heritage site, split into sectors A, B, O, F and G. Fine: €83 to €332.
Tip: You can buy a daily permit online, for transit only or for transit and parking in residents' spaces. Print it and display it in the car. Permits cannot be refunded, and one vehicle can have at most 10 a month. Guests of authorised hotels and B&Bs can get free daily permits through their accommodation.
Florence Scudo Verde
Vehicles built before about 1997, such as Euro 0 petrol and Euro 0 and 1 diesel cars, are banned 24 hours a day, every day. There is no charge for other vehicles. Where: About two thirds of Florence's built-up area, behind 77 camera gates.
Tip: A modern hire car is not affected.
Seasonal ZTLs at UNESCO sites
Since the 2024 reform, traffic can be restricted for up to five months a year to protect UNESCO sites. Where: Areas around UNESCO World Heritage sites chosen by a region, autonomous province or road owner. Fine: €87 to €344.
Tolls
Most motorways charge a toll. On most of them you take a ticket when you join and pay at a booth when you leave, based on where you joined.
- Lanes marked for telepedaggio, such as Telepass, are for drivers with an electronic toll tag. Without a tag, use a staffed lane or a self-service lane.
- Staffed lanes take cash and the main credit and debit cards. Self-service lanes take cash or cards, and some take cards only (solo carte).
- The A36 Pedemontana Lombarda, the A59 and A60 bypasses of Como and Varese, and part of the A33 Asti-Cuneo have no toll booths. Cameras read your number plate, and you must pay online or in the operator's app within 15 days of the trip.
- An unpaid free-flow toll brings a reminder with extra costs and can lead to a fine of €87 to €344. For a hire car the reminder may go to the hire company, which can add an admin fee.
Driving in the cities
Rome
The historic centre ZTL is closed to cars without a permit from 6:30 to 18:00 Monday to Friday and from 14:00 to 18:00 on Saturday, except public holidays.
A night ZTL also runs from 23:00 to 3:00 on Friday and Saturday nights, except in August.
Rome has five ZTLs in all, plus the Fascia Verde, which bans some more polluting vehicles across most of the city.
The rules for electric cars entering the ZTLs changed on 1 July 2026. Check the Roma Mobilità site before driving an electric car in.
Florence
The historic centre is a ZTL in five sectors, enforced by cameras. In the central sectors it runs from 7:30 to 20:00 Monday to Friday and from 7:30 to 16:00 on Saturday, with a night zone on some nights from spring to early autumn.
Visitors can buy a daily permit online for transit only, or for transit and parking in residents' spaces. Print it and display it in the car.
Guests of authorised hotels and B&Bs can get free daily permits through their accommodation.
The Scudo Verde low emission zone covers about two thirds of the city but only bans vehicles built before about 1997.
Milan
Area C costs €7.50 for each day you drive in between 7:30 and 19:30, Monday to Friday. Pay by midnight on the day after, or it rises to €22.50 up to the seventh day.
One ticket covers any number of entries by the same vehicle on the same day.
Cameras at every entry to Area C record each number plate.
Questions people ask about driving in Italy
Do I need an International Driving Permit to drive in Italy?
Yes, if your licence is from outside the EU, EEA and UK. You must carry an IDP or an official translation with your licence, or face a fine of €408 to €1,634. EU, EEA and UK photocard licences are valid on their own.
What is a ZTL in Italy?
A zona traffico limitato is a limited traffic zone, usually a historic centre. Cars without a permit may not enter while it is active. A panel at the gate shows ZTL ATTIVA in red when it is closed, and a camera fines every unauthorised entry €83 to €332.
Will a ZTL or speeding fine reach me at home after I leave Italy?
Yes, it can. The hire company passes your details to the police, and Italy has up to 360 days to send the notice to someone who lives abroad. It often comes from a collection agency, months after the trip.
What is the speed limit on Italian motorways?
130 km/h, or 110 km/h in rain or snow. Some three-lane motorways are signposted up to 150 km/h. Drivers in their first three years are limited to 100 km/h.
Do you need headlights on during the day in Italy?
Yes, outside built-up areas. Dipped headlights or daytime running lights must be on at all times there, and dipped headlights are required everywhere in tunnels and poor visibility.
Can you turn right on a red light in Italy?
No. A red light means stop at the line, unless a separate green arrow shows for your direction.
Can I use my phone hands-free while driving in Italy?
Yes, with a hands-free kit or an earpiece that needs no hands. Holding the phone is banned and costs €250 to €1,000 plus a licence suspension of 15 days to 2 months.
What is the drink-drive limit in Italy?
0.5 g/l of blood alcohol. It is zero for drivers under 21 and for drivers in their first three years after getting a car licence.
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Italy for drivers from…
The same guide, with only what's different from home.
Sources
Checked 15 October 2026. Official sources first.
- Codice della strada, art. 142: Limiti di velocità Normattiva (Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato)
- Codice della strada, art. 117: Limitazioni nella guida Normattiva (Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato)
- Codice della strada, art. 135: Circolazione con patenti di guida rilasciate da Stati non appartenenti all'Unione europea o allo Spazio economico europeo Normattiva (Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato)
- Codice della strada, art. 173: Uso di lenti o di determinati apparecchi durante la guida Normattiva (Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato)
- Codice della strada, art. 186: Guida sotto l'influenza dell'alcool Normattiva (Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato)
- Codice della strada, art. 145: Precedenza Normattiva (Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato)
- Codice della strada, art. 144: Circolazione dei veicoli per file parallele Normattiva (Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato)
- Codice della strada, art. 148: Sorpasso Normattiva (Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato)
- Codice della strada, art. 162: Segnalazione di veicolo fermo Normattiva (Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato)
- Codice della strada, art. 172: Uso delle cinture di sicurezza e dei sistemi di ritenuta per bambini Normattiva (Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato)
- Codice della strada, art. 45: Uniformità della segnaletica, dei mezzi di regolazione e controllo ed omologazioni Normattiva (Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato)
- Codice della strada, art. 7: Regolamentazione della circolazione nei centri abitati Normattiva (Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato)
- Codice della strada, art. 157: Arresto, fermata e sosta dei veicoli Normattiva (Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato)
- Codice della strada, art. 201: Notificazione delle violazioni Normattiva (Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato)
- Codice della strada, art. 202: Pagamento in misura ridotta Normattiva (Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato)
- Codice della strada, art. 180: Possesso dei documenti di circolazione e di guida Normattiva (Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato)
- Drivers licences Australian Embassy, Italy
- Italy travel advice: Safety and security (updated October 2026) GOV.UK (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
- Online guides: The importance of safety when driving Polizia di Stato
- Driving in Italy RAC
- Le principali novità del quadro sanzionatorio previste dalla riforma del Codice della strada (31 July 2025) ACI Rivista Giuridica
- Area C information (English) ATM Milano for Comune di Milano
- Area C: Acquista il ticket (updated 16 June 2026) Comune di Milano
- Area C: ticket in vigore dal 30 ottobre 2023 Comune di Milano
- ZTL in Centro (updated 28 July 2026) Roma Servizi per la Mobilità (Roma Capitale)
- Temporary ZTL access Servizi alla Strada S.p.A. (Comune di Firenze)
- Autorizzazioni Scudo Verde (updated 28 April 2025) Servizi alla Strada S.p.A. (Comune di Firenze)
- Autorizzazioni Scudo Verde, ZTL e autorizzazioni ZCS (updated 31 March 2025) Servizi alla Strada S.p.A. (Comune di Firenze)
- Disciplinare tecnico della Zona a Traffico Limitato Comune di Firenze via Servizi alla Strada S.p.A.
- Decreto Autovelox 2024: novità, limiti, le regole in città e fuori Motorbox
- Gazzetta Ufficiale, Serie Generale n. 123 of 28 May 2024 (decree on placement and use of speed cameras) Gazzetta Ufficiale della Repubblica Italiana
- Codice della strada, art. 186-bis ACI (Automobile Club d'Italia)
- Codice della strada, art. 152: Segnalazione visiva e illuminazione dei veicoli ACI (Automobile Club d'Italia)
- Codice della strada, art. 41: Segnali luminosi ACI (Automobile Club d'Italia)
- Codice della strada, art. 146: Violazione della segnaletica stradale ACI (Automobile Club d'Italia)
- Codice della strada, art. 3: Definizioni stradali e di traffico ACI (Automobile Club d'Italia)
- Codice della strada, art. 153: Uso dei dispositivi di segnalazione visiva e di illuminazione ACI (Automobile Club d'Italia)
- Piste e modalità di pagamento Autostrada del Brennero (A22)
- Tutor 3.0 in autostrada: la guida completa (22 July 2025) L'Automobile (ACI)
- Free flow tolling in Italy (7 August 2026) L'Automobile (ACI)
- Road signs in Italy Wikipedia
- ZTL a Firenze: tutte le informazioni (updated 21 October 2022) Sixt
- I nuovi orari della ZTL Comune di Firenze
- Nota di lettura sul decreto autovelox (June 2024) ASAPS (Associazione Sostenitori ed Amici della Polizia Stradale)
- Velocità: postazione di controllo LeggiOggi
- Ztl: la scritta 'varco attivo' diventa illegittima SicurAUTO
- Traffic fines in restricted areas in Italy (updated 5 May 2026) European Consumer Centre France
- Circolazione fuori dei centri abitati su strade a rischio neve (MIT directive of 16 January 2013) ANCE
- Tolleranza autovelox: quando scatta la multa per eccesso di velocità Brocardi.it