driving | Italy from the Inside

The truth about Italy’s highway rest stops

May 29, 2018

Autogrill restaurant sign

Rest areas (aree di servizio) are open 24/7 and are available about every 60 km (40 miles). Most often they have a gas station and a snack bar (with or without restaurant) also known as Autogrill.

Autogrill restaurant

Despite what you may think about “gas station food”, Autogrills offer excellent food either at the restaurant or at the snack bar. If you decide to get something at the bar, remember to pay first and then show the receipt to the bar attendant at the service counter.

The Autogrill restrooms are taken care of by an attendant and can be used free of charge. Sometimes attendants place a small plate on the counter to show that tips are appreciated. Keep in mind that they are not supposed to do it. A few years ago an attendant lost her job because of that. Nevertheless, some of them take the risk.

Autogrills have a small store which sells a handful of items for the car trip (food, music, drinks, drug-store necessities, etc.).

In these parking lots you may find fake car-park attendants whose goal is getting a little tip to watch your car. Thefts often happen in Autogrill parking lots, so giving them some spare change might actually turn out to be a good investment. However, if possible, always try to park your car in a spot that you can supervise from the restaurant.

{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”. 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}