Central Italy is a gorgeous region to explore on four wheels: discover tourist-free villages, hilltop towns steeped in mystery, and the wine-soaked regions of Umbria and Tuscany not too far away. But first, you have to pick up a hire car. Rome is a great pick-up destination, with ample options and well-connected highways. However, driving in the city isn’t always straightforward – check out our tips and advice on what to know before driving in Rome.
How to Plan Your Route and Avoid Traffic in Rome
Driving Rules and Regulations in Italy
With ZTL zones, temporary road closures, and traffic jams, driving in Rome can be challenging. But if you can grin and bear it long enough to leave the city, you’ll be rewarded with beautiful smooth roads, rural landscapes, and quiet villages. There’s so much to see that isn’t easily reached by public transport. Be prepared and brush up on local driving rules and regulations.
General rules and regulations
- The minimum age to hire a car in Italy is 21. Most car hire companies require drivers under 25 to pay a young driver’s surcharge.
- You can hire a car in Italy with a driving licence issued in the UK, EU, and EEA countries.
- You must have had your driving licence for over 12 months to hire a car in Italy.
- Always bring your valid UK driving licence, proof of motor insurance, and passport when driving a hire car in Italy.
- Drive on the right and overtake on the left.
- Drivers cannot overtake a vehicle that has slowed down for passengers. Overtaking is also not permitted on bends, hills, and intersections.
- Vehicles weighing over 3.5 tonnes and higher than 10 metres must be 50 metres from the vehicle in the front. This doesn’t apply if you’re stuck in traffic, though.
- Wearing seat belts is compulsory. Those not wearing a seat belt can be fined between €80 and €323.
- Children under the age of 12 should not sit in the front seat.
- If in an emergency, dial 112.
Speed Limits in Italy
Speed limit signage is displayed in kilometres. If you are used to miles per hour, get comfortable with understanding the miles-to-kilometres-per-hour ratio. A navigation app or a GPS device, like a SatNav, will provide speed limit updates.
The general speed limits are:
- Built-up areas: 50km/h - 70km/h
- Outside built-up areas: 90km/h - 110km/h
- Motorways: 130km/h
- The speeding fine is between €40 and €4,400.
Tips for Driving in Rome
Avoid ZTL areas: ZTLs are Limited Traffic Zones, whereby only certain vehicles, such as emergency and delivery vehicles, are permitted. The historic centre (Centro Storico) is strictly ZTL, as well as San Lorenzo, Testaccio, Vatican, and more. ZTLs operate during varying timeframes, so check before you drive. Keep an eye out while driving too – circulate white street signs with a red outline to indicate ZTLs. Cameras monitor the area and drivers are fined at least €200 when caught driving through a ZTL.
Navigation apps: While they’re not always up to date, navigation apps are your best bet for checking ZTL opening and closing times. If the ZTL is closed, the app will put you on an alternative route. There are often temporary road closures and roadworks, and navigation apps are typically quick to pick these up.
Look out for pedestrian lines: White pedestrian lines indicate that they have the right of way. Some pedestrian lights signal them to wait for traffic, but if not, you must let them cross.
Rush hours: Rush hours are extensive in Rome, so avoiding them isn’t always possible. So, if you need to travel during rush hours, factor in additional driving time to your journey. Generally, rush hours in Rome are 6:30 to 10 AM, 12:30 to 1:30 PM, and 4:00 to 8:30 PM.
Toll roads: The A90 highway runs through and around Rome, and this is a toll-free highway. However, most highways in Italy are toll roads. Make sure you’re in the correct lane at the toll booth – the lane signposted by ‘biglietto’ (ticket) is the one you want. The other lane is for TELEPASS customers only.
Unpaved roads: If you plan to drive around Umbria and Tuscany, bear in mind that there are unpaved roads. Driving along a dirt road through wine groves certainly adds to the charm, but it can be unnerving for first-timers. Go slow, and you’ll be fine.
Vehicle size: If you plan on exploring the countryside, then opting for a large vehicle might be tempting. However, even the mountain roads in Italy are narrow, and trying to squeeze through rural towns in a big car will be difficult. A compact car is your best bet – they’re ideal for driving through cities, fitting in tight parking spaces, and comfortably making it through Italy’s famously narrow roads.
Vehicle Transmission: Driving in Rome can be a lot of stopping and starting, for which an automatic vehicle is ideal. An automatic vehicle is also preferred for cruising along mountain roads, so you can enjoy the drive without worrying about changing gears. There’s a wide range of automatic vehicles available at both Rome Fiumicino Airport and Rome Ciampiano Airport.
Parking Options and Tips in Rome
Parking in Italy
White lines: White lines either indicate free parking or designated resident parking spaces. Make sure you check the signs, as it’s easy to get caught short and mistake a designated parking area for a free space. There are usually time limitations on the free spaces, so make sure you check how long you can park there.
Blue lines: Drivers must pay for parking spaces with blue lines – prices vary. Drivers must pay from Monday to Saturday, 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Leave your ticket on the dashboard so the ticket inspector knows you’ve paid.
Yellow lines: Yellow-lined spaces are for vehicles with certain permissions. They might be reserved for taxis, loading bays, or residential parking.
Pink lines: Spaces with pink lines are reserved for parents with young children or pregnant women.
Parking in Rome
Finding parking in Rome is not easy. During the peak tourist months, finding street parking in the city centre is nearly impossible. If you are lucky enough to secure a spot, pay attention to the line colours – blue marked spaces indicate that it’s a paid space, so be sure to pay at the parking meter.
There are parking garages around the city, with varying rates. For example, the Esquilino Car Park is a great option. It’s located outside of the ZTL, close to Rome Termini Station, within walking distance of the city’s main sights, and starts from €4 per hour.
Car Hire Services and Prices in Rome
There is a wide range of car hire services at both airports in Rome. However, for those who want to avoid the additional airport pick-up fees, there are also several city centre pick-up locations. Rome Termini Station is a popular pick-up location, with OK Mobility, Sixt, Alamo, Enterprise, and National operating there. There’s also a wide range of vehicle types to suit different preferences – a family might opt for a Nissan Qashqai, while a couple might prefer a Fiat 500. Prices start from £10 per day.
For the best deals, we recommend comparing prices online and booking in advance. Rome is a popular arrival location for international travellers, so car hire prices can be higher than in other parts of Europe. However, Holiday Cars finds the cheapest prices on the market, so you’re always getting a great deal. You can find a compact vehicle from £10 per day. For groups that need more room, Holiday Cars have larger vehicles from £14 per day.
Rome Airport and Car Hire Facilities
Rome has two airports – Rome Ciampiano Airport and Rome Fiumicino Airport. Ciampiano is around 20km from Rome city centre, while Fiumicino is around 29km. Fiumcino is the main international airport, and where you will most likely be arriving. It takes around 45 minutes to drive to the city centre from the airport, so opting to pick up car hire at the airport is a popular choice. There’s also a wider range of car hire companies at the airport than in the city. Search and compare car hire companies and prices with Holiday Cars, where you’ll find renowned international brands, such as Europcar, Enterprise, Hertz, and more. There’s also a selection of local suppliers, including Maggiore, Noleggiare, and Autovia. Book in advance with Holiday Cars for the best deals.