Rules of the Road · Verified August 2026

Driving Laws in Italy

Everything a visitor needs before driving in Italy — which side to drive on, the alcohol limit, national speed limits and licence requirements.

right

Driving Side

steering wheel on the left

0.05

BAC Limit (g/dL)

general drivers

130

Motorway Limit

km/h

required

Intl. Driving Permit

for foreign visitors

Speed Limits

National Default Speed Limits

Urban / Built-up

50 km/h

Rural / Open Road

90 km/h

Motorway / Highway

130 km/h

Note: IDP needed for non-EU licences.

Defaults only — posted signs always override national defaults. Laws verified August 2026; rules change, so confirm with an official source before you travel.

Alcohol & Driving

Drink-Driving Rules in Italy

General limit: 0.05 g/dL · Novice/young drivers: Zero tolerance

Reaction time, judgement and night vision all degrade well below any legal threshold — the only limit that guarantees safety is 0.00. Alcohol is a factor in a large share of the world's fatal crashes, and enforcement in Italy can include checkpoints, licence loss and jail.

Live Tracking

Italy on the Live Map

Italy has a WHO-estimated 5.2 road deaths per 100,000 people. See live accident reports and full statistics for Italy.

Before You Go

Emergency Number

Save Italy's emergency number before you drive — find it in our worldwide emergency numbers directory. And check your rental's tires with the tire age checker.

Nearby

Driving Laws in Neighbouring Countries

San Marino Croatia Monaco Bosnia and Herzegovina Slovenia Montenegro

Questions

FAQ

Which side of the road does Italy drive on?

Italy drives on the right-hand side of the road (like most of the world).

What is the drink-driving limit in Italy?

The general limit is 0.05 g/dL BAC (novice/young drivers: zero). Remember: impairment starts well below the legal limit.

Do I need an International Driving Permit in Italy?

Yes — an IDP (or a locally issued permit) is required or strongly enforced for foreign visitors driving in Italy. Get one in your home country before you travel.

Is it safe to drive in Italy?

By the numbers, Italy has a WHO-estimated road death rate of 5.2 per 100,000 people (global average about 15), which is safer than the global average — it ranks 166 of 195 countries from most to least deadly. Traffic drives on the right. Visitors need an International Driving Permit. Most road deaths anywhere happen at night, at higher speeds and on rural roads, so plan long drives in daylight and follow the posted limits.