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DRIVING

What’s the craziest thing about driving on Italian roads?

There’s a lot to like about driving in Italy, but there are some common behaviours on the road that international residents say they just can’t get used to.

Published: 1 July 2024 10:07 CEST
What’s the craziest thing about driving on Italian roads?
Driving in Italy can sometimes feel like you're going up against F1 drivers, say residents. Photo by Zac Ong on Unsplash

Driving in Italy is often a necessity, whether you’re living here or just visiting. But most people find the typical Italian driving style can take some getting used to.

When we asked readers in our Living in Italy Facebook group what they thought about driving on Italian roads, there was one issue which came up again and again: speed, or sometimes, the lack of it.

“It generally seems like most people on the roads should have left at least 10 minutes earlier to get to where they are going,” comments group member Sim Bee. “Why is everyone in such a hurry?”

“Italian drivers seem to either drive too fast, or dawdle really slowly, usually while on the phone or telling a good story to their passenger.”

READ MORE: Ten driving Italian habits you need to be aware of

Ligurian resident Sander Haas adds: “The drivers can be divided into two groups: those who think they are Senna or Verstappen and those who drive too safely.”

“One thing is certain, it never gets boring.”

Robbie Sossi says there are regional differences, meaning in “Piedmont and Lombardy it’s ‘get out of the way you old fogey, I’m trying to set the land speed record!’. 

“In Emilia Romagna it’s ‘Hey! This is Ferrari country, you know! Why are you driving so slowly? You want to die of old age in the slow lane?’

“Then we get to Le Marche, the attitude is a lot calmer.”

Despite the high speeds, some say the roads don’t seem all that dangerous.

READ ALSO: Reader question: Can I drive a friend or relative’s car in Italy?

“I know a lot of people will probably disagree, maybe it is the region, but here in Le Marche I haven’t seen as many incidents and accidents as what I used to witness in Kent (the UK),” writes Simeon Cooper.

Tailgating was another thing a lot of people mentioned.

“The proctologist exams other drivers give you,” comments Mary Hanson in Puglia. “As expected, I got rear ended for going the speed limit.”

Not all stereotypes about Italy ring true, but if our readers’ comments are anything to go by, speedy – or erratic – driving is to be expected on the country’s roads.

Member comments

  1. After living in Italy for 15 years the main problem i came across was them driving in the middle of the road thinking they are the only ones on the road this was in the countryside though.

  2. I’m amazed that when an Italian passes my car, how close to my front bumper they come . And then most drive on the lane line for 20-30 meters.

  3. In forty years of driving in Italy, I have noticed, cars overtaking me appear to want to keep their right side tyres in the lane I am occupying. additionally they pull in front with millimetres to spare.
    The practice of remaining in the outside lane but continuing to indicate has reduced over the years but still exists.
    That said Italians rarely use their indicators which also slows traffic.

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DRIVING

Reader question: Can I drive a friend or relative’s car in Italy?

If you're visiting or staying in Italy for any length of time and are planning on doing some travelling, a generous neighbour or relative might offer you access to their vehicle. But what does the law say about driving someone else's car in Italy?

Published: 31 May 2024 15:45 CEST
Reader question: Can I drive a friend or relative's car in Italy?

Question: We live in Canada but also own a home in northern Italy. Our Italian relatives often tell us that we can use their cars any time, but we are afraid in case of an accident or damage.

Could we as non-residents be added to their car insurance as an extra driver?

In Italy, car insurance covers the vehicle rather than the driver, meaning that in principle anyone with a valid driving licence (including foreign licences recognised by Italy) can drive someone else’s car with their permission.

There are, however, some restrictions that it’s important to be aware of before jumping in your great aunt’s Fiat 500 and puttering off down the Amalfi coast.

Italy’s Codice della Strada, or Highway Code, says that if you’re driving someone else’s car for more than 30 consecutive days, they should notify the Civil Motorization Office (l’Ufficio di Motorizazzione Civile) to add your name to the vehicle registration certificate.

Though it’s hard to prove someone’s violated this rule, failing to follow it could get you stuck with a fine of between €727 to €3,629, so it’s worth abiding by.

All cars in Italy must have third-party insurance, known as Responsabilità civile autoveicoli or RC Auto, which covers any bodily harm or property damage caused by the driver to other people, including the driver’s own passengers.

READ ALSO: MAP: Where in Italy is car insurance cheapest – and most expensive?

Car insurance costs are high in Italy, and one way to secure a lower premium is to buy insurance that only covers certain categories of drivers (e.g., those above the age of 26, or who’ve held a licence for a certain number of years) – so it’s important to check that you’re covered under the owner’s insurance.

If you’re worried about the risk to yourself or your friend’s vehicle, you’ll want to check that they have additional insurance on top of RC Auto, such as a polizza Infortuni conducente (driver accident coverage) or polizza cristalli (broken window coverage) – or see how much it would cost to add these on.

READ ALSO: EXPLAINED: How to pay Italian traffic fines from abroad

There are also restrictions on the type of vehicle a newly-qualified driver is allowed to drive in Italy, so if you haven’t had your licence for long, you’ll want to make sure it’s valid for the specific car you’re planning on borrowing.

Bear in mind that if you’re visiting Italy as a tourist and have a non-EU/EEA licence, you’ll need to apply for an International Driving Permit or get your licence officially translated for it to be valid.

And if you’re in Italy for more than 12 months, you’ll either need to apply to get your foreign licence converted (if your country has a reciprocal agreement with Italy), or pass an Italian driving test.

If you’ve considered all of these factors and still think it’s a good idea, borrowing a friend or relative’s car can be a cost-effective and convenient way to explore Italy without having to fork over hefty rental fees or risk getting stung with hidden costs.

Just make sure to familiarise yourself with some of the idiosyncrasies of Italian driving culture before setting off.

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