Romecentral

Major Car Rental Companies

General Info Italy has an extensive network of highways (Autostrade) and secondary roads. Highways are supported by a network of secondary roads, classified into different categories of national highways (strade statali), provincial roads (strade provinciali) and municipal roads (strade comunali). Italians have a high level of car ownership, and many travel by car. Traffic congestion is not rare, especially at highway pay points.


Rental Requirements To rent a car, you must be at least 18 years old (age may vary by car category) and your license should be at least 1 year old. Drivers under the age of 25 may incur a young driver surcharge. Seat belts are mandatory even if nobody wears them and children under 12 must wear an age-appropriate restraint. The blood-alcohol limit for driving is .05.


	Speed Limits Speed limits in Italy are : City 30mph/50kph, Open Roads 66mph/110kph, Highways 81mph/130kph.


Traffic Violations Italian authorities don't have to stop you to send you a fine. If you commit traffic violations, you could be charged high amounts and never be warned until you receive the bill at home. In Rome, the Vigili Urbani (a sort of traffic police) will often avoid contact and fine drivers from a hidden corner. In general, safety violations such as babies on driver's lap, dangerous maneuvers, speeding in the city, no seat belts, are all tolerated. The authorities are very strict on privilege violation offenses. Never drive on bus lanes (politicians blue cars use them), respect historical center access restrictions (politicians work there), always pay your parking fees (controls are very efficient).


	Fuel Gas stations in the city are open from 7am to 12:30pm and from 3:30pm to 7pm. Most are closed on Sundays. There are real 24 hour stations along the highway. The '24 hour' signs that you see in the city indicate fuel machines that take Euros. You are likely to find people that take your money and tank for you outside business hours. They don't have a working contract and usually expect a small tip.


Tolls The autostrade (highways) are expensive. Some countries require drivers to buy a yearly highway pass. Italians prefer to charge you every time you'll use the highway, and create congestion at pay points.


	Parking Street parking is confined to areas marked with blue lines. You'll have to find a working parking meter (can be difficult) and pay €1 for each hour. The machine releases a ticket that you have to leave visibly under the windshield. You can buy parking cards at bars and tobacco stores, but their validation is strange and complicated. Warning: Roman authorities are very efficient when it comes to collecting their money.


Italian Driving Italian drivers are dangerous. Driving in Rome is like playing with the Playstation. Look everywhere for cars, many drivers turn instinctively without signaling or respecting signs. Crossings are usually blocked, because drivers instinctively occupy every space they can, without thinking. If you live in Rome, you can expect to see accidents on a daily basis. Pedestrians should pay attention too, they are regularly hit by speeding motorists.