Italy

There is pressure on border controls in Europe due to the movement of asylum seekers.

Carry your passport when crossing borders, even within the Schengen area.

To keep up to date on border conditions:

Driving permit

If you’re not a resident, you’ll need both:

You must get your IDP before leaving Australia.

You must get an official translator (traduttore giurato) to translate your licence in Italy. Find a list of official translators in the Italian Yellow Pages.

If you take up legal residence (residenza) and stay more than 1 year, you must apply for an Italian licence. Italy doesn’t allow you to convert your Australian licence.

This means you’ll have to take a written test and a driving exam in Italian. You can do the exam in German or French in some cases.

Contact an Italian embassy or consulate to find out about an Italian driver’s licence.

Road travel

Driving can be dangerous. Driving conditions are disorganised, compared to Australia.

By law, you must use headlights on main roads outside urban areas and on highways, including during the day.

On-the-spot fines apply for some minor traffic offences.

Many municipalities have outsourced traffic fine collection to European Municipal Outsourcing (EMO).

More information:

Traffic restricted zones

Limits on car access to the city centres exist to help reduce traffic. They are traffic restricted zones (ZTL). Be aware that:

• ZTLs and their hours of operation vary from city to city

• fines apply if cars don’t carry a ZTL pass in a ZTL zone

• hire cars usually don’t have a ZTL pass

If you’re staying in the centre of an Italian city, ask your hotel or host about traffic restrictions. You can also check the website of the relevant municipality (comune) before you arrive.

Driving in summer and winter

You must use snow tyres or chains in some mountainous regions or areas where snow is common.

Road signs will indicate if they are mandatory.

Authorities may fine you if you don’t have the right snow gear for your car.

In summer, only residents can take their cars to the islands of Capri, Ischia and Procida.

Travel by foot

Italy has regular pedestrian fatalities. Drivers often fail to give way to pedestrians, even though they have to under Italian law.

Take care when crossing roads, even at pedestrian crossings.

Motorcycles

Check your insurance covers you when using a motorbike, quad bike or similar vehicle.

Always wear a helmet.

Taxis

Only travel in licensed taxis, which have signage, roof lights and meters.

Unauthorised taxis don’t carry meters and overcharge.

Public transport

There are frequent strikes that cause delays and cancellations to public transport services. See Safety

In most cities, you need to buy bus and train tickets before you travel. You can’t buy tickets on board a bus or train.

You’ll find ticket machines at every metro and major train station.

Pre-paid tickets are available from tobacconists or coffee shops that display the public transport company’s logo/name.

When catching public transport, validate your ticket:

If you don’t, you could get an on-the-spot fine.

More information:

Air travel

DFAT doesn’t provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.

Check Italy’s air safety profile with the Aviation Safety Network. 

More information:

Read the original advice at SmartTraveller.gov.au by Australian Government