If you’re looking to drive to Italy for a work trip or a holiday, there are a number of rules you will need to follow. You’ll also need to make sure you have the right documents to ensure your trip goes as smoothly as possible.
This may seem like a lot to think about, which is why we’ve created this guide to take the stress out of your trip, providing you with everything you need to know.
What driving licence do I need to drive in Italy?
Holding a full UK driving licence means you do not need to apply for another type before visiting Italy if you are aged 18 and over.
While not a legal requirement, international driving permits are recognised in Italy.
Documents needed to drive in Italy
Besides your full UK driving licence, there are a number of other documents that you will need to take with you. These include:
- Proof of ID such as a passport
- V5 registration document
- Car insurance certificate
These will need to be carried with you when driving, in case you are pulled over by Italian police.
What is the new EU Entry/Exit system?
If you’re looking to drive abroad in Europe, you may have read about the new EU Entry/Exit System (EES). Essentially, this is a new digital border system that’s put in place to track those who are entering and leaving the Schengen area from non-EU countries. This is now fully in place after a gradual launch in late 2025. It also means you will no longer receive a physical stamp in your passport.
These checks became fully operational on April 10, 2026. However, there are some things you will still need to do before you travel.
You will need to register your biometric details, such as a photo of yourself and your fingerprints, when you arrive. There should be dedicated booths at the port, and if you choose to travel through the Eurotunnel (now known as LeShuttle), your checks will be done before you leave the country. Due to this extra step, it’s a good idea to allow yourself more time in case of delays, as many other travellers will also be going through this process for the first time. This will hopefully ensure you stay on track to arrive at your final destination on time.
If you’re travelling with children under 12, they will not need to give their fingerprints, but a photo will still need to be provided to register for EES.
Your EES record will last for three years and should be ‘re-verified’ when you cross the border. It’s worth noting that you can’t stay for longer than 90 days in a 180-day period, no matter if you are travelling for work or pleasure.
What about the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS)?
Another new system may be in place when taking your vehicle to Europe. While ETIAS is not in place at the time of writing (reports state it could arrive in early 2027), this will be a new document you will need to have.
The ETIAS will be for UK citizens and other visa-exempt travellers. It’s similar to the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA), which you may be familiar with if you’ve travelled to the USA.
As mentioned, it’s not currently live, but it is meant to be coming into place in the not too distant future. So travellers should be aware and check to see if it will be in effect at the time of your travels. You will need to complete an online application and pay a mandatory fee, and this will need to be done in advance of your journey. You will not be able to do this at a port or LeShuttle terminal.
Those aged 70 and above, and those aged under 18, will not need to pay a fee, according to the official rules.
What do I need to drive in Italy?
Besides the legal documents you need to take when driving in Italy, there are other items you should be aware of when crossing the channel, including mandatory ones.
Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC)
While motorists driving in Italy don’t need to pack a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), which replaces the old European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), it’s certainly a wise choice to do so.
GHIC offers similar protection for travellers as that afforded by EHIC when a UK resident is in the EU on a temporary stay, for business or pleasure. The GHIC covers you in the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland and several other countries outside of Europe.
GHICs can be obtained through the NHS website and are free of charge. Travellers are advised to apply at least two weeks before their trip.
It must be noted that this should not be seen as a replacement for regular travel insurance, which you should take out for protection in case of emergency illness or injury, loss of luggage, trip cancellations and delays.
Having a GHIC will allow you access to emergency and necessary state care.
Car insurance
If you’re driving in Italy, it’s always best to ensure your car insurance remains at a high level when you’re abroad. All UK car insurance policies provide the legal minimum of third-party cover abroad for the EU by law. Having fully-comprehensive cover in the UK does not mean the same level of cover will follow you across the border.
It’s wise to check your policy ahead of your trip, or even take out fully comprehensive cover for your travels.
Having fully comp insurance will mean you’re covered for any damage to your vehicle, fire, theft, or vandalism when driving in Italy. This is opposed to having to pay for any repairs yourself if you had third-party cover.
We offer free European cover with the car insurance policies we find for you for up to 30, 60 or 90 days depending on your needs. You can also choose the level of insurance you need, including options for fully comprehensive cover.
European breakdown cover
Sterling will help you find European breakdown cover that provides you with 60 days’ breakdown cover while driving in Italy, in any one calendar year.
We can also arrange roadside recovery or a reliable home repair service, whether your car or van breaks down in the UK, Europe or further afield.
Check your satnav
It’s illegal in Italy and several other EU countries to use satnavs or other electronic equipment that can alert you of speed enforcement cameras. If yours provides such alerts, it’s recommended you switch them off.
Reflective jackets
You could be fined for walking on a road or on a hard shoulder if you are not wearing a reflective jacket should you break down. You should therefore consider taking reflective jackets for yourself and any passengers along with you when you drive in Italy.
Warning triangle
A warning triangle is compulsory for every vehicle with four wheels or more.
Headlamp beam deflectors
Deflector stickers are needed to prevent dazzling oncoming drivers. You can buy deflector stickers from most car shops and, more expensively, at ferry ports and the LeShuttle terminal. You may also be able to adjust the beam manually.
Bulbs, basic tools and other spares
It’s also advised that you bring replacement bulbs, belts, wiper blades, oil, water and other lubricants, along with the tools to fit replacement parts or top-up lubricant levels with you on your trip.
UK sticker
If your vehicle is registered in the UK, you will need a UK sticker on your car. This used to be a GB sticker, but has since changed since September 2021, partly due to Brexit.
This is so Italian law enforcement can identify where the vehicle has come from.
Crash helmets
These are compulsory if you are visiting the country on a moped, motorcycle, trike or quad bike without closed bodywork.
Mopeds and motorcycles on the road must have their lights on at all times.
Emission zones and ZTLs
Major Italian cities such as Milan, Rome, Pisa, Florence and others have low-emission/historic zones that must be adhered to. These areas are monitored by cameras and are referred to as ‘Zona a Traffico Limitato’ (ZTL). These signs will have a red border with a white circle.
You will need a pre-registered permit to enter these areas, or face an automatic fine.
Winter driving equipment
If you are looking to travel by car in Italy between November 15 and April 15, you will need to ensure you are following their winter driving equipment rules.
Vehicles travelling on motorways and specific roads in many regions will need winter tyres or carry snow chains in the boot. Check official government guidelines to ensure you are following the rules correctly.
What can’t I take in my car to Italy?
When visiting Italy, you are not permitted to take any meat or products containing milk, meat or dairy products. However, powdered milk, baby food, infant formula and medical food are allowed to be brought across the border from non-EU countries, as long as you follow strict EU customs rules, such as the quantities being under two kilograms. They need to be packaged, with the seals unbroken and in shelf-stable packaging.
On top of this, you are not allowed to take vegetables, plants or fresh fruit (apart from pineapples, bananas, dates, coconuts and durians), unless you are willing to pay for them to be inspected upon entry to the country.
If you need these for medical reasons, exceptions can be granted, but you will need to speak with the embassy before you leave for your trip.
Are driving rules different in Italy?
Like most countries, driving rules have slight variations in Italy. For a start, they drive on the opposite side of the road to us in the UK.
Below are some of the other differences you will encounter:
Overtaking
As a general rule of thumb, you will need to drive on the right and overtake on the left of a vehicle on roads that permit overtaking.
Overtaking is forbidden when on and approaching level crossings, bends, intersections, when visibility is limited and on the brow of a hill. It’s also prohibited to overtake a vehicle that’s slowed to allow pedestrians to use a crossing.
You are allowed to overtake trams if there is enough space on the right to do so. If you are on a one-way street, you must do this procedure on the left if there is room. However, you can’t do this if the tram is picking up passengers where there is no island.
Using a horn
Horns can only be used if it is absolutely necessary, such as to warn other drivers of danger. When in rural areas, using a horn is compulsory if circumstances require its use.
In urban areas, using your horn is not allowed at any time, apart from in an emergency. If you need to give a warning, flash your lights instead.
Seatbelts and car seats
Just like in the UK, seatbelts must be used by everyone in the vehicle. If you have a passenger who is under 18, it is the driver’s responsibility to ensure they are wearing one. Failing to do so will result in a fine.
Traffic light system
Italy still uses the three-coloured traffic light system we use in the UK; however, they have one noticeable difference.
A flashing red light is used to indicate for road users to stop near level crossings, mobile bridges and ferry boarding points.
Who has priority when driving?
The priority rules for driving in Italy are also slightly different from those in the UK. As a general rule though, you must give priority to vehicles coming from the right or on rails unless signs dictate differently.
And, similar to the UK, pedestrians on crossings and cyclists also have priority.
It’s also worth noting that roundabouts work the same way in Italy as they do in the UK in terms of giving way to traffic already circling. However, keep in mind that you will travel anti-clockwise, due to the nature of driving on the opposite side of the road.
On some mountain roads where two vehicles are unable to pass each other, the descending vehicle must reverse to a passing point. If two vehicles cannot pass on a road, priority should be given to the heavier vehicle.
Towing a camper or caravan in Italy
Your campervan or a car with a caravan must not exceed more than 12 metres in length, two and a half metres in width and four metres in height.
Parking
Parking is slightly different in Italy, with drivers only being able to park on the right-hand side of the carriageway, unless you’re on a one-way street, when parking is allowed on either side, like in the UK.
Parking is prohibited on pavements or near a bend, intersection, brow of a hill and in areas reserved for buses, trams and loading zones.
Blue road signs indicate the areas where parking is restricted and must be paid for, either at parking meters or automatic machines which issue tickets indicating the length of parking time that has been paid for.
Some of these zones can be free of charge for a certain amount of hours of the day and on Sundays, so check local signage for details.
If you are travelling to Rome, it is worth noting that parking in the historic centre on working days between the hours of 7 am and 8 pm is strictly for residents with permits.
What happens if I get fined whilst driving in Italy?
After Brexit, Italian authorities are no longer able to send camera fines to your UK address automatically if you’re caught speeding. This is because the data-sharing agreement between the EU and the UK has now ended. This does not mean us Brits can willingly break the driving laws of the country we’re visiting. Driving rules should always be followed. Some Italian municipalities, as a primary method, may use private international debt recovery firms or police requests as well.
Italian police can hand out on the spot fines and even seize your vehicle if you refuse to pay, or can’t pay the fine instead.
What to do in an emergency in Italy when driving
Emergency telephones are linked to an SOS line, similar to the UK, and are installed every two kilometres along the motorways.
There are two types of emergency phones on Italian roads. One will connect you to the emergency call centre to speak to an operator, whilst the other will allow you to call for mechanical assistance after pressing the ‘spanner’ button. The ‘red cross’ button is for medical aid. After pressing this, a red light will let you know your request has been sent.
You can also dial 112 from anywhere in Europe, and an operator will connect you to an emergency service in the country you’re visiting. Operators can answer your call in English.
Speed limits in Italy
Unlike in the UK, Italy’s road signs use the metric system, meaning speed limits are measured in kilometres per hour instead of miles per hour. This means if you see a sign for 80km/h this doesn’t mean the same as 80mph.
Speed limits are also lowered when it’s raining and other adverse weather conditions, while special restrictions apply for certain classes of vehicle, including coaches, motorhomes, mopeds and cars with trailers.
General speed limits in Italy are:
- Built-up areas between 50km/h (30mph) and 70km/h (43mph) – local signs will indicate the precise speed
- Outside built-up areas between 90km/h (55mph) and 110km/h (68mph)
- Motorways 130km/h (80mph) – in some circumstances it may be increased to 150km/h (93mph) if stated
Speeding fines in Italy
A standard fine for breaking the speed limit can range from €41 to €4,382, depending on the speed at which drivers are caught and the road they’re driving on.
Italian police are authorised to give fines on the spot for violating traffic laws in their country, even if you are a driver of a foreign-registered vehicle, and can collect a quarter of the fee charged on the spot. You will be provided with a receipt.
Who can hire a car in Italy?
In order to hire a car in Italy, you must be at least 21 years old, own a full UK driving licence and provide a secondary method of ID such as a passport. It’s also worth noting that most rentals will not lend you a vehicle unless you have been driving for at least a year, and may ask you for a credit card to make the deposit.
How long does it take to drive to Italy from the UK?
Depending on which part of the UK you are travelling from, it usually takes around 12 hours from Folkestone, Kent, before you reach northern Italy.
The best route to take is catching a ferry from Dover to Calais and driving through north-eastern France towards Reims. From this city, you can head south to Troyes, Dijon and Lyon before entering via Turin. Or if you wish, you can travel from Lyon to Geneva to take in the Swiss Alps.
Driving rules in Europe may have changed since this article was updated in September 2026. Please check official government sources before travelling. This guide is for general information only and does not constitute legal or travel advice. While we aim to keep information up to date, we can’t guarantee its completeness or full accuracy.
European car insurance and breakdown cover
If you’re planning on driving in Italy, you will need to ensure you have the right European car insurance to give you peace of mind.
No matter the vehicle, make sure to take breakdown insurance with you.
Sterling can help you find a car insurance policy for every sort of car, van and campervan, with EU cover available. Call us on 0344 381 9990 for a quote or request a callback at a time better suited to you.