cars | Italy from the Inside

Cabs and Uber in Italy

August 14, 2018

Italian taxicab

Taxicabs are definitely the easiest solution for short rides, but at the same time, also the most expensive. However, if you’d like to experience high adrenaline levels in your body, then take a cab driven by a real Italian driver and enjoy your ride. I assure you that you will never forget it….

When you reserve a cab by phone (taxi company phone numbers vary from city to city), you will receive the number of the taxi that will pick you up. The taxi number is displayed on the car’s door.

Now it is also possible to reserve a cab via text (SMS). Also in this case phone numbers vary from city to city. Check online to see which companies offer this service.

At the time of this writing Uber is available in the following cities: Rome and Milan.

In Italy, each taxi must have the sign “taxi” displayed on the car, a number (numero) and especially a meter, although taxi drivers are not required to have a badge with their photo. Taxis are usually white or yellow.

{This is an excerpt from chapter 1 “General Transportation” of the eBook “Italy from the Inside. A native Italian reveals the secrets of traveling in Italy”. Buy our eBook on Amazon and leave us a review! If it’s good, you’ll make us happy, if it’s bad, you’ll make us improve. Thank you either way!}

Do you need an International Driving Permit to drive in Italy?

March 13, 2018

Photo by Francesca Tosolini

Today my daughter will do her final driving test (lots of adrenaline flowing right now), which made me think how easy it is to get a driver’s license here in the States compared to Italy. In Italy the written test is extremely hard to pass: you need to study from a 200+ page manual, besides attending Driver’s Ed classes and do the usual practice. In the end, the total cost is between €750 and €900.

But can you drive in Italy using your driver’s license?

Members of the EU can use their own driver’s license to drive in Italy. All the other tourists, including those from the United States, need an International Driving Permit (IDP) in addition to their own driver’s license. Contact your local AAA (or the American Automobile Touring Alliance) to get an IDP. You will need to fill out a simple form, present 2 original passport pictures, and a $15 fee. Don’t forget to bring your own (valid) driver’s license as well. It’s important to know that the IDP does not replace your US driver’s license; you must still carry it with you when you travel in Italy. Keep in mind that, even though many times rental car companies and policemen don’t ask you to show it, you may still need an International Driving Permit when you pick up your rental car or if you are stopped at a police roadblock because it is required by law since 2005. So, it is a good idea to get one, just to be on the safe side.

That said, I’ve heard of American tourists who drove in Italy without having one and had no problem even when they got stopped by the police. I even heard of an American friend of mine who moved to Italy and got her official Italian driver’s license after years (and I mean a lot of years, like 10 or something…). My suggestion, and it is just a personal point of view, is to get one anyway simply because it is so easy and inexpensive to do.

{This is an excerpt from chapter 2 “Driving in Italy” of the eBook “Italy from the Inside. A native Italian reveals the secrets of traveling in Italy”. To buy our eBook click here}

No horses on the highway!

November 14, 2017

The signs leading to the highway always have a green background. Bicycles and pedestrians are not allowed on the highway, and neither are horse-drawn carriages (yes, indeed, see the sign below…) or mopeds (motorini).

Highway sign showing what is allowed and not allowed on the highway

Highway sign showing distances and highway denominations

Highway exit signs show the name of the city or town in the nearest proximity;
they don’t show the exit number as in the US.

Highway exit (Photos by Paolo and Francesca Tosolini)

{This is an excerpt from chapter 2 “Driving in Italy” of the eBook “Italy from the Inside. A native Italian reveals the secrets of traveling in Italy”. To buy our eBook click here}