No matter how well you think you know Italy, if you decide to drive around while you are there you may find out just how little you know about the roads and driving requirements. It is all too easy to assume that other than the fact that most of Europe drives on the opposite side of the road there are no differences. In Italy they have system that is very similar to our congestion charge and you need to notify your hotel manager for them to get you on the list of permitted vehicles. If you don’t do this you could find yourself in trouble, at the very least you could have a hefty fine turn up on your doorstep when you get home.

Many Britons drive through Europe thinking that the breakdown cover that they have at home will suffice while they are driving through Italy, but this is not the case. Unless you have European breakdown cover then recovery charges can really set you back, especially if the breakdown vehicle has to drive a long way to get you. Sometimes cars break down totally and have to be shipped home, which could cost you hundreds of pounds.

One of the problems for foreign drivers in Italy is that they don’t have proper knowledge of the rules on driving and parking in Italy and this puts them at a distinct disadvantage. It is always a good idea to find out as much as you can about driving in another country, before you actually go.