18 Top Tips for Driving in Italy for the First Time & My Italy Car Hire Experience

Travelista Editor Jessica Ruth Gibson shares her personal experience of driving in Italy for the first time as a British Citizen, after collecting a hire car from Milan Bergamo Airport and taking a road trip to the Italian Alps. Here’s her honest account, along with all of her top tips to help anyone else driving in Italy for the first time. 

Jump Menu

1. My Personal Experience of Driving in Italy
2. My Fears vs My Realities of Driving in Italy
3. 14 Top Tips and Things to Know about Hiring a Car in Italy

18 Top Tips for Driving in Italy for the First Time & My Italy Car Hire Experience

My Personal Experience of Driving in Italy 

The thought of driving in Europe (on the opposite site to the road the we use in the UK) used to genuinely terrify me. I travel often, but until a certain point in my life I always managed to get away with being in the hire car passenger seat. I’m proud to say I have come a long way since then, so I am writing this article as someone who really has faced her driving fears and now is comfortable driving in the likes of the USA, Canada, Italy, France and Spain. 

Back in May of this year, I had the opportunity to visit Trentino in the Italian Alps. I loved the idea of visiting this region of Italy, but I was told that a hire car would be absolutely essential (due to the lack of public transportation in the area). From a logistical standpoint, I could see that picking up a hire car in Italy would give us the best possible experience, but I felt nervous to drive in Italy – especially as we were flying into Milan. Despite the fears, I decided to go for it. I knew that driving in Italy was a skill that I wanted to unlock and develop. Once you crack it, it’s a skill for life! 

Collecting the Hire Car 

After landing at Milan Bergamo Airport, we followed the signs to the hire car shuttle bus. The shuttle was free and a short drive to the hire car depot. The signage wasn’t great, but we manage to find our way to our hire car office and quickly had the keys to our car. It happened very quickly, and at this point I wish I had asked the Rep to give me a quick overview and orientation of the car. I recommend you do this! 

Getting into the car and trying to orientate myself was the peak of my overwhelm, but I tried really hard to stay calm mentally and took some deep breaths. I set up my Apple Maps via Google Car Play (which was nice and familiar for me) then decided to drive a few laps around the car park before heading onto the roads. This was really helpful to get a feel for the cars speed, steering and acceleration. It’s also the first time you will put your car on the opposite side of the road (if you are used to UK or left-sided driving like me). 

I am used to driving a manual gear stick in the UK, and my hire car also had a manual gear stick. This panicked me at first as I was hoping for an automatic (one less thing to think about), but I forgot to request this at booking. I practiced using the manual gear stick whilst doing my laps of the car park. It actually felt totally fine, as the layout of the gears always remains the same, no matter which side of the car the drivers seat is on. 

Getting on The Road 

Coming out of the car hire depot was nothing like I had imagined. My anxiety had created an image of driving through central Milan with angry Italian drivers and Vespas whizzing past me. The reality was that we were no where near the city centre of Milan. The roads were quiet, and within 1 minute I was on a wide, straight and calm-feeling motorway. Once I joined that motorway, I instantly felt my stress begin to slip away. The roads were clear, and we were cruising towards our destination of Trentino. OK – I can do this, I told myself. 

As we approached the lakes and mountains of Trentino, we moved onto smaller A roads which were simple to navigate. By this point my brain felt like it had recalibrated to the other side of the road. I realised that having a few cars on the round you actually felt safer than having none, as you could follow their lead. 

My 5 Day Road Trip in Trentino

Over the next 5 days, I drove every day, sticking to an incredible 5 Day Trentino Itinerary for Alpine Wellness . All of the roads in this area were quiet, although some were very windy. We didn’t reach any ‘hair pin bends’ until a few days into the trip, by which time my confidence had developed. I just took everything very slowly and carefully. The drive past Lake Garda was absolutely spectacular and we even stopped off in Riva del Garda to get closer to the Lake and see this iconic part of Italy. 

Returning the Car

I have always had this paranoia that car hire companies will go out of their way to try and rip you off and charge you for extras, but in the past few years, my experiences have been incredibly positive and straight forward. After arriving back at the car hire depot at Milan Bergamo Airport, I checked in with the rep. He went to give the car a quick check over, and in a few minutes he confirmed everything was fine. I gave a final signature and the booking was closed. No issues what so ever.

I can honestly say I really enjoyed my experience of driving in Italy, and it was nothing like I had imagined. If you’re feeling anxious before driving in Italy, here are some of my fears vs realities. 

My Fears vs My Realities of Driving in Italy

My Fear: I would struggle to navigate the motorways and exits.
The Reality: The premise of motorways and exits are the same around the world. Using whatever navigation system you are familiar with at home.

My Fear: The roads coming out of Milan Bergamo Airport would be super busy and congested.
The Reality: The car hire depot was nowhere near the city centre of Milan, so I was onto open motorways almost instantly.

My Fear: Italy would be full of angry and aggressive drivers.

The Reality: I only had one encounter of a confrontational driver, which was a truck driver who was trying to make me speed up when going along a lake-side A road. I ignored him and went at my own pace. All other drivers around me were safe and courteous. 

My Fear: I would feel stressed the whole time I was driving.

The Reality: I actually began to enjoy the driving. We had a lovely car, played some tunes and the scenery though the lakes and mountains was absolutely spectacular. Driving through Trentino enhanced our experience so much. 

Read on for my top tips about hiring a car and driving it in Italy. 

My 18 Top Tips for Hiring a Car in Italy

1. Italians drive on the right side of the road

This is the same as USA, Canada and the UAE but different to the UK, Australia and Japan.

2. Remember your driver’s licence

The most important thing to remember is to bring your driver’s licence. Make sure you have a valid driver’s license for each person who will be driving the car. Take a photo of it and store on your phone in case it gets lost too. 

3. Take photos of any damage to the car before driving off

Always inspect the car closely upon collection. Take photos on your phone of any minor bumps and scrapes that exist on the car before you’ve driven it. If you find any damage, you can also alert a member of staff. This is so they can’t accuse you of any damage when you drop back off. I always do this, although I’ve never been accused of damaging a hire car. 

4. Save money by returning the car with a full tank of petrol / gas

You will have a few option when it comes to petrol / gas for your hire car. You can either drive it ‘full to full’ which means you fill the tank up before returning the car to the depot. Or you can drive it ‘full to empty’. This means the car hire company will fill the car up for you, but they’ll charge you a very high rate for the petrol (way above market cost). The most cost efficient option is to go for ‘full to full’ and fill it up yourself. However, if you want total convenience, full to empty is always an option.

6. Opt for full insurance for complete peace of mind

Especially if you are a nervous or first-time driver. This will also mean that if there is any damage to the car, you won’t pay any excess.

7. Remember to travel with a credit card

Always travel with at least one credit card as this is required for most car rental companies. Debit cards are not accepted. 

8. Share your location with a loved one

For travel safety, especially if travelling solo, share your location with someone you trust so someone knows where you are at all times. 

9. Ensure you have mobile / cell phone data for use of Maps

Ensure you have 5G or mobile data on your phone so you can use Apple Maps / Google Maps. Purchasing an eSIM before you travel will allow you to remain connected at all times. 

10. Use a Sat Nav / Maps platform that is the most familiar to you

Try to use the exact same Maps app or navigation system that you do at home. For example, if you’re used to following Apple Maps via Apple Car Play, use this when driving in your hire car too. This feels like a home from home as you’re already family with the interface. 

11. Think about whether you want a manual or automatic hire car when booking

Hire cars with manual gear sticks are common in Italy, so if you are only familiar with driving an automatic, make sure you include this as part of your hire car booking. 

12. Manual gear sticks have the same layout for right and left sided driving

If you are used to driving with a manual gear stick, it’s handy to know that the layout of the gears is exactly the same for right side driving (it’s not a reverse layout). This makes it it a lot easier than you might expect. 

13. Read car hire company reviews before booking

Trust Pilot is a great way to see impartial reviews from previous customers.

14. Observe and take the lead from other cars around you

If in doubt, always observe the cars around you and follow their lead. Having a few other cars on the road actually makes it easier, as you have something to copy. 

15. Be aware of the speed limit

Always be aware of the speed limit, although I was told by an Italian on my trip that Italians take no notice of the limits! 

16. Expect some toll roads and toll booths

Toll roads are common in Italy, so expect to stop at the toll booths and pay a toll – usually always under 10 euros. There are entry and exit points, so at the entry point you’ll be given a paper ticket. Hold on to this within your car until you exit at the other side, this will determine the amount you need to pay.

16. The legal driving age in Italy

The legal driving age in Italy is 18, but for hiring a car the minimum age is between 21 and 25 depending on company policies.

17. Stay hands free

Just like driving at home, avoid using your mobile phone whilst behind the wheel of your rental car at all times. 

17. Visit Italy out of high season (Summer months) to get the cheapest car hire

Travelling out of peak season will help you to secure the best deal and price for your car hire in Italy.

What to Read Next 

Read about 3 Lessons I Have Learned from the Edge of my Comfort Zone (one of which involves driving in other countries)

Are you preparing to drive in Italy or planning an Italian road trip? If this article helped, please do leave a comment below. And if you have any further tips, feel free to share.