Page 18 - DK Eyewitness: Back Roads Northern and Central Italy (Travel Guide)

16 BACK ROADS NORTHERN AND CENTRAL ITALY

Driving in Italy

Driving is one of the best ways of exploring Northern and
Central Italy – particularly for getting away from the crowds and
reaching the more remote areas and sights. For long distances,
Italy has a compre hensive motorway system, easily accessed
from the rest of Europe. The condition of minor roads may vary
in quality, but most are passable with care. Mountainous terrain
can make for an exhilarating drive along twisty, hairpin roads, Above Sign showing the Italian speed limits
but be sure to take them at a relaxed pace. for main and secondary roads
Insurance and left-hand driving, to ensure that the and ViaCard, look for the blue signs.
Breakdown Cover hot-spot of the beam lights up the A white sign with only banknotes
In Italy it is compulsory for drivers edge of the road and does not dazzle and coins indicates a self-service
to have third-party motor insurance. oncoming drivers. EU drivers must lane; a white sign with a hand
Check with your insurance provider display a country sticker on their car holding the bank notes indicates
that you are fully covered to drive (unless the numberplate includes that there will be an operator. Avoid
abroad; in some cases, drivers will their country’s euro-symbol). the yellow Telepass lanes; these are
only be covered for basic Road Traffic for drivers with an on-board device
Accident insurance – not for theft, or Road Systems that registers tolls and deducts them
for the legal costs that can ensue in Italy was the first country in the from their bank account.
the event of an accident. UK drivers world to build a motorway: the Italian motorways are designated
can arrange full breakdown cover Autostrada dei Laghi, which runs with the letter “A” followed by a
while abroad – some companies from Milan to Varese, and was opened numeral – for instance A8, for the
even offer a package that includes a in 1924. Nationwide, there are now Autostrada dei Laghi. Some motor-
24-hour English-language helpline. more than 6,000 km (3,700 miles) ways are also part of the pan-European
of autostrade, built by both state and system, whose roads are designated
What to Take private companies, with several new with an “E” followed by a numeral.
If you are driving your own car, you roads planned. The privately built Therefore an Italian motorway can
should carry your vehicle insurance motorways are toll roads; non-toll have two numbers: say A11 and E45.
policy with you – ideally with a roads are managed by ANAS On signage, these are indicated in
statement of cover in Italian, usually (Azienda Nazionale Autonoma delle white on a green background.
provided by your insurer. The insurer Strade Statali). On a toll road, you Secondary roads are known as
should also provide a European pick up a ticket when you join the strada statale (SS), strada provinciale
Accident Statement form. Additionally, motorway and pay as you exit. Tolls (SP) or strada comunale (SC) – the
you will need to carry with you the can be paid in cash, by credit card latter sort is usually very small, and
vehicle registration document and a (Visa, MasterCard, American Express maintained by the local town council.
valid driving licence, and you should or Diners Club), or with a prepaid SR (rare) signifies a strada regionale.
also have spare bulbs, a warning “ViaCard”, available from motorway Although the road numbering system
triangle and a high-visibility jacket service stations and toll-booth is comprehensive, it is not widely
(to be worn if your car breaks down operators. As you approach a toll used in Italy; you will see the numbers
and you have to leave the vehicle). station, make sure you get into the on milestones at the side of the road,
The headlights of right-hand-drive correct lane: for payment in cash, but they are not always given on
cars will need to be adjusted for follow the white signs; for credit card signposts. It is useful to know the

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