Germany → Italy
Driving in Italy when you know Germany
Differences first, worst-to-get-wrong first. Rules that match are folded away at the bottom.
What's different (6)
Speed limit on the motorway
CriticalGermany · homeNo general limitNo general limit for cars. 130 km/h is the official recommendation, and going faster can mean sharing liability after an accident. Signed limits apply on many stretches.Checked 3 Aug 2026
Italy · destination130 km/h110 in rain or snow. New drivers are capped lower for three years.Checked 6 Aug 2026 · official source
Speed limit on country roads
CriticalGermany · home100 km/hChecked 3 Aug 2026
What you must carry in the car
CriticalGermany · home
- Warning triangle
- High-visibility vest
- First aid kit
Italy · destination
- Warning triangle
- High-visibility vest
Speed limit on a dual carriageway
ImportantGermany · homeNo general limitRoads with structurally separated carriageways have no general car limit, like motorways. The 130 km/h recommendation applies. Signed limits are common.Checked 3 Aug 2026
Italy · destination110 km/hMain roads outside towns (strade extraurbane principali). 90 in rain.Checked 6 Aug 2026 · official source
Winter tyres
ImportantGermany · homeRequired whenever the road is icy or snowyCondition-based, not date-based: winter tyres (3PMSF) are required whenever there is snow, slush or ice on the road, at any time of year.Checked 3 Aug 2026
Italy · destinationRequired where signs say soOn signed roads — most mountain and northern routes — from 15 November to 15 April: winter tyres (M+S), or approved snow chains carried on board and fitted when conditions demand.Checked 6 Aug 2026 · official source
Hands-free phone calls
Good to knowGermany · homeAllowedVoice control and mounted devices with brief glances are allowed.Checked 3 Aug 2026
Italy · destinationAllowed, with restrictionsBuilt-in systems and a single earpiece are allowed if you can still hear with both ears. Headphones over both ears are banned.Checked 6 Aug 2026 · official source
Known on one side only (21)
Which side you overtake on
Germany · homeLeftPassing on the right is only for vehicles turning left, and for trams.Checked 3 Aug 2026
Italy · destinationNot yet verified
Speed limit in rain or snow
Germany · homeNot yet verified
Italy · destination
- Motorway — 110 km/h
- Dual carriageway — 90 km/h
Speed limit for drivers who passed their test recently
Germany · homeNot yet verified
Italy · destination
- Motorway — 100 km/h
- Dual carriageway — 90 km/h
Youngest age you may drive
Germany · home18 years17 is possible only in the accompanied-driving scheme, within Germany.Checked 3 Aug 2026
Italy · destinationNot yet verified
Turning at a red light
Germany · homeOnly where a sign allows itOnly where a green arrow plate (Grünpfeil) is mounted beside the red light, only turning right, and only after a complete stop.Checked 3 Aug 2026
Italy · destinationNot yet verified
Priority to traffic coming from the right
Germany · homeYes — traffic from the right goes first at unmarked junctionsRight before left at any unsigned junction, including small residential ones.Checked 3 Aug 2026
Italy · destinationNot yet verified
Who must wear a seatbelt
Germany · homeEveryone, in every seatChecked 3 Aug 2026
Italy · destinationNot yet verified
Age below which a child needs a child seat
Germany · home12 yearsA child needs a seat until age 12, unless already 150 cm tall.Checked 3 Aug 2026
Italy · destinationNot yet verified
Height below which a child needs a child seat
Germany · home150 cmA child shorter than 150 cm needs a seat until age 12.Checked 3 Aug 2026
Italy · destinationNot yet verified
How you pay for motorways
Germany · home
- None
Italy · destinationNot yet verified
When you must switch your headlights on
Germany · homeNot requiredRequired for motorcycles only. Cars need lights at night and in poor visibility.Checked 3 Aug 2026
Italy · destinationNot yet verified
Who has priority at a roundabout
Germany · homeTraffic already on the roundabout goes firstWhere the roundabout sign is posted, traffic on the circle has priority and you must not indicate on entry — only on exit. An unsigned circle falls back to right-before-left.Checked 3 Aug 2026
Italy · destinationNot yet verified
Parking on the pavement
Germany · homeOnly where signs or markings allow itOnly where a sign or marking explicitly allows it.Checked 3 Aug 2026
Italy · destinationNot yet verified
Parking facing against the traffic
Germany · homeOnly on one-way streetsPark on the right edge in the direction of travel; one-way streets allow the left.Checked 3 Aug 2026
Italy · destinationNot yet verified
How far you must park from a junction or crossing
Germany · home
- A junction — 5 m
Italy · destinationNot yet verified
When winter tyre rules apply
Germany · homeNot yet verified
Italy · destination15 November to 15 AprilOn the signed roads. Fitting is tolerated a month early and a month late.Checked 6 Aug 2026 · official source
Snow chains
Germany · homeNot yet verified
Italy · destinationRequired where signs say soCarried on board they satisfy the winter rule as an alternative to winter tyres.Checked 6 Aug 2026 · official source
Low-emission zones
Germany · homeIn many citiesAround 39 Umweltzonen, including Berlin, Munich, Cologne and Stuttgart. A green windscreen sticker is required, including on foreign cars — order it before travelling.Checked 3 Aug 2026
Italy · destinationNot yet verified
Congestion charges
Germany · homeNot yet verified
Italy · destinationIn some citiesItaly's version is the ZTL — limited-traffic zones covering most historic centres. They are access bans, not charges: cameras read every plate, and unauthorised entry means a fine of roughly 80 to 330 euros that reaches you by post months later, via the rental company with a handling fee added. Zone boundaries and hours are signed locally and not shown by most map apps. If your hotel is inside one, ask it to register your plate.Checked 6 Aug 2026 · official source
Whether police can fine you on the spot
Germany · homeYesMinor offences up to 55 euros can be settled on the spot as a warning fine. Larger fines are billed — but drivers without a German address can be required to pay a security deposit immediately.Checked 3 Aug 2026
Italy · destinationNot yet verified
Typical fines
Germany · homeNot yet verified
Italy · destination
- Holding a phone — fine 250–1000 EUR, possible driving ban (Licence suspended 15 days to 2 months even on a first offence.)
Same in both (7)
- Which side of the road you drive on — Right official source
- Speed limit in towns and cities — 50 km/h official source
- How much alcohol you may have in your blood — 0.5 g/l official source
- Whether you need an International Driving Permit — Depends on where your licence is from official source
- Alcohol limit for drivers who passed their test recently — 0 g/l official source
- Holding a phone while driving — Not allowed official source
- Emergency number — 112 official source