Driving in Italy as a Australia National

Italy offers thrilling drives along the Amalfi Coast and through Tuscany, but ZTL restricted zones, aggressive city driving, and complex parking make it challenging for visitors.

Key Things to Know First

IDP Required

Italy requires an International Driving Permit for foreign visitors. Obtain one in Australia before departure.

How to get an IDP

Drive on the Right — You Are Switching Sides

Australia drives on the left, but Italy drives on the right. Extra caution required at roundabouts, intersections, and after exits.

Tips for switching sides

Side-by-Side Comparison

Rule	Australia	Italy	Change?
Traffic side	Left-hand traffic	Right-hand traffic	Yes
Speed unit	km/h	km/h	Same
IDP required	—	Yes	Yes
Min. driving age	17	18	Differs
Emergency number	000	112	Different
Road difficulty	Moderate	Challenging	—

Speed Limits in Italy

Urban

50 km/h

Rural / Open road

90 km/h

Highway / Motorway

130 km/h

Documents to Carry in Italy

Original driving licence from Australia — must be valid and unexpired
International Driving Permit (IDP) — required in Italy. Obtain from your national motoring association before travelling.
Passport or national ID — carry at all times while driving
Car insurance certificate — verify it covers Italy before departure
Vehicle registration / rental agreement

Emergency Number in Italy

112

112 is the pan-European emergency number, widely accepted across many countries worldwide.

Emergency numbers for all countries

Full Italy Driving Guide

Road rules, toll system, fuel types, parking, regional quirks — everything you need for driving in Italy.

Read the complete guide