Highways and Roads Highway

In Italy there is an extensive and well maintained road network. Tolls are charged on the autostrade (highways). As in the rest of continental Europe, vehicles travel on the right and overtake on the left. The wearing of seatbelts is compulsory for front and back seat passengers as well as for the driver. The use of portable telephones is prohibited if they require intervention by hand to function.

Highways and Roads Highways are indicated by the letter "A" followed by a number written in white on a green background. They are almost all subject to tolls, except for some brief stretches, especially approaching urban areas. Tolls are paid in cash at highway exit points. It is also possible to pay by Viacard Telepass cards (systems that make automatic payment possible without stopping at the toll booths) or Viacard a highway toll payment card which can be bought, at a value of either 25 / 50 / 75 Euro, on the highway, in many banks or in ACI offices.

ACI provides complete car service throughout the country. Calls for assistance can be made 24 hours a day by calling 803.116 or by using the emergency booths located every 2 km along the roadway, They have buttons with a wrench symbol, to be used in the event of a breakdown, and with a red cross symbol for a first-aid emergency.

Service areas are very frequent along all of the highways. The rest stops are always open, and, in addition to refueling, they also offer other services such as restaurants, bars, information offices, and banking windows.

Driving License Regulations

Italy recognises driving licenses and other traffic documents that are valid in other countries. U.S. and Canadian driving licenses are valid in Italy but the license must be accompanied by a translation or an international license (check your local AAA in USA or CAA in Canada). For motorists not in possession of an International Driving license, the ACI (Automobile Club d'Italia) will issue a declaration upon presentation of a U.S. or a Canadian license. The declaration is obtainable at any ACI offices. Seat belts are compulsory in Italy.

ACI Services

In addition to the road assistance responding to phone number 803.116, ACI also provides motorists with a Centro Assistenza Telefonica (CAT Phone Service Center).This center has a multilingual staff that can answer in English, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, and Dutch.

The CAT is on duty every day of the year. By calling 06.491716, one can receive updated information on the road and weather conditions, highway tolls, ferries, tourist itineraries, mileage distances, customs formalities, currency, and automotive procedures. Automobile Club d'Italia has its own offices in each Province, the Head Office is in Via Marsala 8 - 00185 Roma, Tel. 06 49981, Fax 06 49982469.

Practical Information

ANAS (the state organization responsible for the roads), in cooperation with the police and the Società Autostrade, provide information about traffic conditions on the main roads and highways. In addition, Onda Verde is a daily radio bulletin with information about roadworks, delays and weather conditions. The use af snow tires is allowed between November 15 and March 15. In some regions is obligatory to keep snow chains in the car during winter.

Traffic Tips

Speed limits are fixed at 50 km (31 miles) per hour in urban areas, 90 km (56 miles) per hour on secondary and local roads, 110 km (68 miles) per hour on main roads outside urban areas and 130 km (80 miles) per hour on highways, with penalties for violation in proportion to the amount of the excess. On highways (autostrade): no U-turns are permitted and stopping is permitted only in emergency parking areas or parking lanes. The Italian Highway Code follows the Geneva Convention and Italy uses international road signs. Driving is on the right, passing on the left. Violators of the highway code are fined; serious violations may also be punished by imprisonment. Lanes: On three-lane roads, the middle lane is reserved for passing, which must always be signalled in advance with the directional signal which must be kept on while passing.

Validating Rail, Bus & Subway Tickets

Please note that in order to avoid heavy fines, it is vitally important to remember to validate any rail, bus and subway tickets purchased for use on the Italian public transport system.

In the case of rail travel, machines for date-stamping your ticket are located on station platforms and are usually yellow in colour. It is extremely important to validate your ticket before boarding to avoid fines.

Tickets for buses and the subway tend to be time-limited (often one hour) and it is therefore necessary to complete your journey within the allotted time and purchase a new ticket for any additional travel. Machines for date-stamping your ticket are located in the foyers and beside barriers in the case of subway travel and on board buses. Daily, weekly and monthly passes are also available. Tickets for buses and the subway cannot be purchased on board and must be obtained prior to boarding from newsagents, tobacconists, ticket kiosks or bars.

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