United Kingdom → Italy
Driving in Italy when you know the UK
Differences first, worst-to-get-wrong first. Rules that match are folded away at the bottom.
Driving to Italy from the UK: what to check before you go
These are the key destination rules to check first. The comparison below shows every verified difference. Follow local signs and instructions on the road.
- Which side of the road do you drive on in Italy?
- In Italy you drive on the right.
- What is the speed limit in Italy?
- 130 km/h on motorways, 110 km/h on dual carriageways, 90 km/h on country roads and 50 km/h in towns and cities. Those are the national default limits, which apply where no sign says otherwise.
- What is the drink driving limit in Italy?
- The legal limit in Italy is 0.5 g/l. Above 0.8 it becomes a criminal offence with licence suspension. Drivers who passed their test recently are held to 0 g/l.
- What do you have to carry in your car in Italy?
- You must carry a warning triangle and a high-visibility vest. The triangle goes at least 100 m behind the car on motorways. The vest must be worn when leaving a stopped vehicle outside towns in poor visibility — passengers included.
Read the full driving rules in Italy and the required car equipment in Italy .
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What's different (17)
Which side of the road you drive on
CriticalSpeed limit on the motorway
CriticalSpeed limit on country roads
CriticalSpeed limit in towns and cities
CriticalVaries by regionHow much alcohol you may have in your blood
CriticalStricter than at homeVaries by regionWhether you need an International Driving Permit
CriticalWhat you must carry in the car
Critical- Warning triangle
- High-visibility vest
Speed limit on a dual carriageway
ImportantYoungest age you may drive
ImportantWinter tyres
ImportantLargest motorbike or scooter you may ride on a car licence
Important- Engine up to 50 cc
- Engine up to 125 cc
- Power up to 11 kW
Hands-free phone calls
Good to knowYoungest age you may ride the smallest class of scooter
Good to knowSmallest motorbike allowed on the motorway
Good to know- Engine at least 50 cc
- Power at least 4 kW
- Engine at least 150 cc
- Power at least 11 kW
Headlights on a motorbike in daytime
Good to knowEmergency number
Good to knowTypical fines
Minor- Holding a phone — fine from 200 GBP, 6 points (Drivers who passed their test within the last 2 years lose their licence instead.)
- Holding a phone — fine 250–1000 EUR, possible driving ban (Licence suspended 15 days to 2 months even on a first offence.)
Known on one side only (23)
Which side you overtake on
Speed limit in rain or snow
- Motorway — 110 km/h
- Dual carriageway — 90 km/h
Speed limit for drivers who passed their test recently
- Motorway — 100 km/h
- Dual carriageway — 90 km/h
Speed limit when towing a trailer or caravan
- Motorway — 60 mph
- Dual carriageway — 60 mph
- Country roads — 50 mph
Alcohol limit for drivers who passed their test recently
Turning at a red light
Who must wear a seatbelt
Age below which a child needs a child seat
Height below which a child needs a child seat
What the lines and painted kerbs mean
- Double yellow line — no parking. No waiting at any time, even without an upright sign.
- Single yellow line — no parking during signed hours. The hours are on nearby time plates, not on the road.
- Double red line — no stopping. Red routes. No stopping at any time.
- Single red line — no stopping. Red routes. Applies during the times shown on nearby signs.
- White zigzag line — no stopping. Marks the approach to a pedestrian crossing.
How you pay for motorways
- Toll booths
- City charges
How long you may drive on your own licence
When you must switch your headlights on
Who has priority at a roundabout
Parking on the pavement
Varies by regionParking facing against the traffic
How far you must park from a junction or crossing
- A junction — 10 m
When winter tyre rules apply
Snow chains
Riding between lanes of slow traffic
Low-emission zones
Whether police can fine you on the spot
What you should carry, but do not have to
- Warning triangle
- First aid kit
- Fire extinguisher
- High-visibility vest
Same in both (4)
- Holding a phone while driving — Not allowed official source
- Helmets on a motorbike or scooter — Required for rider and passenger official source
- What a rider must wear or carry — Nothing beyond a helmet official source
- Congestion charges — In some cities official source