Overcoming Fear Of Driving A Rental Car In Italy

You’re scared to drive in Italy, right?

And maybe you’re not just scared; you’re terrified.

But you’re going on a heritage trip. You want to get off the beaten path and explore the countryside of your ancestors.

But how the heck are you going to get behind the wheel and merge into a stream of speeding cars with Italians shouting and gesticulating at you?

Let me give you some travel tips for renting a car in Italy and hopefully help you (and me) overcome fear of driving a rental car in Italy as we experience the freedom to explore.

🚗Compare Prices and Book a Car (and my favorite part – relax!)!
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First Let’s Talk About The Italian Driver Stereotype

Everyone has heard that Italian drivers are crazy. They tailgate, flash lights, and pass at insanely high speeds. 

They take extreme risks. Passing while going into blind curves. Driving up on the sidewalk. They are aggressive and loud, honking their horns and waving their hands.

They run redlights, and ignore traffic lane lines. “They are just suggestions”, they shrug, drifting over the lines.

The tales go on and on. There is no way I can drive in Italy. This sounds truly frightening. How will I reach my destinations?

I could hire a driver or take the bus. There is a bus system where I am planning my trip. But to really get to know the land my ancestors came from and have the flexibility for unexpected encounters with people, I need to be able to drive.

Understanding Italian Driving Culture

I’m going to reframe my thinking. Instead of thinking of Italian drivers as aggressive, I am going to think of them as assertive. Instead of crazy, as quick and engaged. Something to aspire to.

Instead of focusing on their risktaking, I’ll think about their passion for driving. This is the land of Ferrari and Lamborghini after all. They are basically professional drivers operating cars built for speed on winding narrow roads.

They love tailgating so they can efficiently zip by you on the left as soon as there’s an opening in oncoming traffic. Italians like being close in all social interactions. And driving is no different. 

Italians also enjoy getting away with something. Instead of feeling badly that they violated a traffic code when they go too fast or slide through a red light, they feel victory like they got away with something.

And hey, nobody got hurt, right?

Driving In Italy Is Actually Safer Than In The US

The statistics prove it. There are way fewer deaths and car crashes in Italy than in the US. Driving in Italy is (statistically) safer than driving in the US. But the reasons are complex:

• Fewer people drive since they have walkable cities and good public transportation.
  
• Italian roads are narrow and windy, so Italian drivers have had to adapt and gain excellent driving skills.

• The Italian driver’s test is rigorous. Not just anybody can pass the test. The ones that do are better trained than drivers in the US.

• Speed cameras, DUI checkpoints, and strict enforcement of traffic laws in Italy makes Italian drivers focused and aware of their surroundings.

• The cars in Italy are small and there are fewer SUVs so the crashes are less deadly.

• Italian cars are mostly manual, so drivers have to be alert and ready to move the second the light turns green.

So while you might feel more at risk in Italy with honking, tailgating, and zipping Fiats, statistically, you are less likely to die in a crash than on an American highway.

However if you get hurt, make sure to have travel insurance. I love SafetyWing.

➡️Get the #1 Travel Insurance (and my favorite way to feel safe!)

Learn About Car Rental Insurance in Italy

So maybe I won’t die, and I’ve got insurance coverage for injuries, but I’m still scared I’ll get into a fender bender or scratch the car.

Part of my fear of driving a rental car in Italy, includes all my questions about insurance. I don’t want to pay for insurance I don’t need, but I want to feel safe and relaxed that I am covered.

Questions	Answers
Is Basic Collision Damage Waiver car insurance mandatory in Italy?	Yes. You cannot get this from a third party. By law it is built into the price of the car rentals. This might mean that your credit card insurance won’t apply because you cannot waive this basic insurance like you can in the US.
Does my credit card insurance cover rental cars in Italy?	Many credit cards exclude Italy. But even if Italy is not on the excluded list, you should call them because the basic collision damage waiver might make it null and void.
Do I need to buy the supplemental insurance from the rental car company?	The sales guys will pressure you to buy the supplemental insurance and it can cost the same price as the car.  If you don’t get it, you will be liable for damages up to the amount of the deductible.
What if my credit card works as a supplemental insurance?	First of all, make sure to clarify this with them.  And secondly, your credit card might give you hassles and block your account when you file a claim. They will also block off your credit (€3,000) for potential damages meaning that you have less credit for other trip purchases.
What if I take my chances and plan on paying the deductible for damages?	The car rental company will probably find damage that is not covered by the basic waiver like tires, windshield, undercarriage, etc.
How can I prove there are no damages?	Take photos and videos of the car at pick up and drop off. And make sure there is a human there when you return the car.
Pro tip (Conclusion)	Rent from a US based company (Hertz, Avis) and pay for their comprehensive insurance package .

There is no way around it. Car rental abroad is expensive. Just get the fullest coverage available from the car rental agency and build that into your budget.

🚗Compare Prices and Book a Car (and my favorite part – relax!)!
Use AutoEurope or Rentalcars by Booking

How Much Is It To Rent A Car In Italy For A Week?

So how much does it actually cost to rent a car in Italy for a week? 

The price varies depending on:

• The car company you select (Hertz, Avis, Sicily By Car, Sixt, etc.)
• The type of car you choose (Mini, economy, midsize, large, SUV, luxury)
• The type of transmission you pick (manual or automatic)
• The insurance you select (standard or super)
• The city you rent from
• Electric, regular, or hybrid

The range is about $300-1300 a week depending on the above factors.  

Cars with automatic transmission are more expensive and are less available, so reserve early.

Get the smallest car you can to fit your passengers and luggage.

Getting Gas

Obviously fuel will be another expense for driving a rental car. Find out if your rental car takes unleaded gas (benzina) or diesel (gasolio). Cars in Italy take both.

You can also rent an electric or hybrid car.

Try to get fuel from a manned station to avoid dealing with the hassle of a €100 block on your credit card.

Get a pin for your credit card before you leave since sometimes you need that.

Toll Roads In Italy

Unfortunately, the toll road payment system in Italy is not uniform. Watch a youtube video on using Italian tolls.

Use the cash line to avoid unforeseen issues and extra charges. If you are using a credit card, try to get one with a chip and pin.

Tolls are not cheap.

You may want to opt for the toll transponder at the rental car agency (they charge you extra per day to rent it). 

Fines And Tickets

Be ready to add the cost of traffic violations to your rental car experience. People complain of receiving fines up to a year later for violations they knew nothing about.

ZTLs – Limited Traffic Zone

ZTLs (zona traffico limitato) are limited traffic zones in historical areas to prevent overcrowding and pollution.

If you enter one during the restricted hours, your car license will be photographed and a ticket for €60-100 will be sent to you months later. 

ZTL won’t be visible on google maps, so be careful.

Parking

• You need to display on the dashboard a disco orario. This is a paper or plastic disc that you move to set the time that you arrived in the parking spot.
•  The rental car “should” come with a disco orario, but if it doesn’t get one from the rental desk, a tabaccheria, or even Amazon. 
• Pay attention to the different colors indicating if parking is free, reserved, or handicap.
• Notify your rental agency if you get a parking ticket.

Speeding

• Use Waze or another mapping app with police cameras.
• Speed camera boxes are usually bright orange or blue.
• Can take months to receive your fine from the rental agency once you are back home.
• Fines start at €42 and go up from there. 

Other Traffic Violations

• Not wearing a seatbelt
• Going through a redlight
• Using a lane reserved for buses

Passing And Rules Of The Road

• On the autostrada, always drive in the right lane. The left lane is only for passing.
• On two-lane roads, there are usually no turn-outs, so just drive at a safe speed and try not to stress out about tailgaters. Pull over when you can.
• It is illegal to make a right turn on red.
• Italian road signs are in kilometers per hour for speed and in kilometer for distance.
• The blood alcohol limit is 0.05% (one glass of wine).

Before You Go

Make Reservations

• Reserve in advance.
• Major companies have roadside support but not the smaller ones.
• Check to see if you get a better deal with a longer time frame.
• Get a smaller car, but one with power.
• Manual transmission is cheaper but do you want the added stress?

🚗Compare Prices and Book a Car (and my favorite part – relax!)!
Use AutoEurope or Rentalcars by Booking

International Driver’s Permit

• You can rent a car in Italy as an American if you get your international driving permit from AAA before you go.
• It’s very easy and only costs $20 in person or by mail.
• Make a copy of your license, permit and passport and keep these with you at all times.

Buy Accessories

• Bring an AC vent phone mount.
• Bring a 12V charger for your phone. Your battery will be used a lot if you use google maps on the phone. Download google maps in advance especially for remote areas.

Time For A Great Cultural Experience

I’m honestly surprised how much more confident I feel about renting a car in Italy.  #Italy roadtrip! Spoiler alert: I rented an automatic car and I loved driving in Italy!

What better way to get to know the culture of Italy, than getting behind the wheel? From this vantage point you will truly experience the passion of Italians!

Plus you will get to travel to remote villages and discover authentic Italy.

Now is the time to make your rental car reservation and finish planning your trip. 

Read More Of Trip Planning Tips and Stories:

• How to Plan The Best Heritage Trip To Italy In 9 Easy Steps
• Is It Hard To Drive In Italy? What Americans Need To Know
• Renting Automatic Cars In Italy: What To Know