Although the speed limits in Italy are roughly the same as the UK the fact is that most Italian drivers regard speed limits as a rough guide. You’ll probably find that there is a lot more tail gating in Italy but you shouldn’t worry too much because European and especially Italian drivers usually know what they are doing.

The drink drive laws in Italy are a lot tougher than the laws covering alcohol and driving in the UK. If you get stopped by the traffic police and you are under the influence of alcohol then you could face a hefty fine and even a jail sentence. Rather than go accidentally over the limit, if you plan on driving each time you go out in Italy then don’t drink, otherwise get a taxi back to your holiday accommodation. The Italian authorities are also a lot tougher when it comes to wearing seat belts, if you get stopped and you or your passengers are not strapped in then again, you could face a hefty fine. When you get into your car make sure that everyone has fastened their seat belts before you drive off.

While you should have fully comprehensive insurance and European breakdown cover no matter what part of Europe you drive through, you should make certain that you have it in Italy. When the roads are as packed as Italian roads and you are not sure of the local customs. It is all too easy to have a minor accident. If the car in front of you comes to a sudden halt and you drive into the back of it, your ignorance of driving conditions will not alter the fact that you are at fault. If you are only covered for third party fire and theft and your own vehicle is damaged then you could find yourself with a large repair bill.

Although though most car rental firms in Italy will have fully comprehensive insurance on their vehicles it is always possible that you could pick one that doesn’t. Don’t even contemplate a rental agreement that only offers third party fire and theft as you could find yourself with a hefty bill if you should have an accident while driving through Milan.

There is plenty to see in Milan and it is regarded as one of the top cities for shopping in Europe, if not the world. You should take time to visit the Santa Maria dell Grazie, a museum that holds Leonardo Da Vinci’s painting of the Last Supper. You should also make sure that your rental car has European breakdown cover while you are driving through Italy. It really can be quite expensive if the recovery people have to come a long way to get you and your vehicle. Check that you have this cover if you don’t want to find yourself with a hefty bill at the end of your holiday.

Take care when overtaking – allow more space between you and the car in front so you can see further down the road ahead.
*

Italy has stricter drink driving laws than the UK, only allowing 0.5 milligrams of alcohol per millilitre of blood (UK 0.8).
*

Seat belts front and rear are obligatory everywhere.
*

Speed limits, shown below, are implemented rigorously. Radar traps are frequent.
*

Remember – Speeding and other traffic offences are subject to extremely heavy on-the-spot fines.
*

Replacement bulb set is recommended.

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.

If you plan on a driving holiday then you may plan your route so that you travel through two or three countries before you settle in Italy. You should familiarise yourself with the different driving regulations in each country, as not all European countries have the same driving regulations. In Germany for example, if you happen to breakdown, then you will need to telephone the German police as by and large you do not get roadside assistance in Germany.

Long before you set off on your holiday you should make sure that you are properly insured to drive through a number of European countries. Your insurance provider will probably tell you that any existing breakdown cover that you have will not be applicable in Italy. Many Britons come unstuck over breakdown cover when they drive through a country like Europe because they assume that their breakdown cover will, necessarily, cover them wherever they go. Unless you contact your insurance provider and give him or her breakdown of your trip, you may be driving through Italy without full insurance cover. If you get involved in an accident under these circumstances then you could end up paying thousands of pounds to put things right.

You will feel much happier about driving abroad if you have fully comprehensive insurance. Whether you are driving through the cities or trying your best to get up one of the narrow mountain roads without going over the edge, you’ll feel more confident if you know that you are fully covered. You should visit your car insurer before you begin your driving trip, as they will be able to tell you what sort of insurance cover you will need for the trip. Most insurers will recommend that you take out European breakdown cover and comprehensive insurance for the time that you expect to be in Italy. If everything goes according to plan then you won’t need to claim on either of these policies, but if the worst happens and you are not covered then it could cost you a great deal of money to put right. Wouldn’t you rather pay that small monthly premium rather than find yourself with a bill for 20,000 euros to pay for any damage.

Some car rental agencies will provide drivers with full cover insurance when they are driving through Italy but you should read the rental agreement’s small print before you sign. Rental agencies sometimes provide third party fire and theft insurance only. If you do happen to have a mishap and don’t have full comp insurance then you could find that the insurance will only pay for damage to the other car and the other driver’s medical expenses. You could then find yourself with a hefty bill for repairs or the total replacement of the rental car, make sure you read the small print to cover yourself.

Just because you have breakdown cover at home does not mean that you have breakdown cover in another European country. You should check about breakdown cover with the rental agency as you should find that you are presented with a hefty bill for roadside assistance and vehicle recovery. Once you have settled that you are properly insured and covered to drive through Italy you should have a much more enjoyable driving holiday in Italy.

Ten years or so ago it was possible to drive to somewhere like Italy and find yourself on the only driver on a tiny mountain road. Nowadays, you are just as likely to be stuck bumper to bumper on a country road in Italy as you are in Britain or America. One thing that you really do need to check up on before heading off to the continent is whether you have adequate insurance cover. There is nothing worse than to accidentally bump the back of another vehicle and then find that you are only covered for damage to the other person’s vehicle and not to your own.

You may have fully comprehensive insurance at home, but this will not cover you in Italy or any other country in Europe. EU law states that insurers are only liable for third party fire and theft unless you buy extra cover for driving through Italy. If you want to drive but don’t want to take your own car, then you might consider renting one. While most rental agencies will state that you have full cover, it is always a good idea to read the small print as you may only be covered for third party fire and theft.

Driving without a seatbelt in Italy is taken very seriously and you could find yourself in trouble if you are stopped and either you or your passengers are not strapped in. Most insurers now warn Britons who plan on taking their car to a European country such as Italy, to make sure that they have fully comprehensive insurance before setting off. You can extend your current policy for one month if you only want the extra insurance while you are abroad. Before you set off on your journey you should notify your insurance provider of your destination. You probably are covered for driving in Europe or you could find that your policy only covers you for third party fire and theft while you are in Italy. Your insurance provider can also give you information on any rules that apply to the country you visit.