Advice on renting a car and driving in Italy
Although public transport in Italy is really very good (especially in the North), nothing compares with getting off the beaten track and discovering the ‘real’ Italy.
Unless you are planning on bringing your own car you will need to noleggiare un auto (rent a car). Most cities have plenty of choice, often situated near the aeroporto (airport) or stazione ferroviaria (railway station).
To rent a car they will ask for your patente (driving license), passaporto (passport) and carta di credito (credit card). You should decide the modello of car you require, quanti giorni (how many days) and the level of assicurazione (insurance) you need.
Guidiamo (let’s drive)! It goes without saying that in Italy they drive a destra (on the right) as in the rest of Europe. Otherwise, things are pretty similar to the UK.
Make sure you have GPS or a really good carta stradale (road map) as segnali / indicazioni (road signs) are not always fantastic.
If you decide to travel by autostrada (motorway) you will have to pay at the uscita (exit) so don’t lose the ticket! And don’t choose the telepass (prepaid card) queue to pay unless you have one!
Filling up at the distributore di benzina (petrol/gas station) is easy if you choose one that is open. They usually have a benzinaio (attendant) who will do the work for you at a small extra cost. You can either fare il pieno (fill her up) or ask for an amount in Euros. Otherwise you can choose the self-service machine. Choose from senza piombo (unleaded), diesel (diesel) or GPL (LPG).
Now your only problem is to negotiate roads full of continental drivers! Good luck!
