Page 632 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Italy

630  SUR VIV AL GUIDE

Travelling by Car

A motoring tour is a practical way of exploring the country,
though you should take into account high petrol prices,
parking difficulties, driving restrictions in cities and the
Italians’ occasionally erratic approach to driving. A car is One-way street
invaluable in the countryside and for extensive touring, but less
useful in major towns and cities, due to congestion and the fact
that most city centres are off-limits to non-residents’ cars.

Blue signs showing main roads and
green signs showing motorways
from tobacconists and the ACI.
There is a congestion charge in
Milan (7:30am–7:30pm Mon–
Fri); phone 800 437 437 or visit
www.comunemilano.it/ecopass
before entering the city.
Secondary roads are known
as Nazionali (N) or as Strade
Automatic tollbooths on the motorway outside Florence Statali (SS), and vary enormously
in quality. Mountain roads are
What to Take Roads
usually good, but distances can
Drivers from outside Italy Italy has a good network of be deceptive. In winter, snow
bringing their own foreign- motorways, though many have chains are obligatory on many
registered cars into the country a total of only four lanes, often higher routes.
must carry a Green Card leading to congestion. Busy Back roads can offer incredible
(for insurance purposes), routes include the A1 from views, but there are often
all the vehicle’s registration Bologna to Florence and hairpin bends. Sound your horn
documents, and a full, valid between Bologna, Parma and when approaching a blind bend
driving licence (patente in Milan. Tolls are payable on and flash your lights at night.
Italian). Any EU nationals who most motorways (autostrade), Roads known as strade bianche,
do not have the standard EU again leading to congestion or “white roads” have only a
“pink” licence and are planning at tollbooths (Alt Stazione) at gravel surface. These are often
to stay for more than six months busy periods. Payment is made narrow and steep, but usually
will need an Italian translation at the end of the journey in passable to cars. Avoid driving
of their licence, obtainable from cash, credit card or pre-paid in unfamiliar areas of the
most motoring organizations magnetic VIA cards, available countryside at night.
or from the Italian state tourist
office in your home country. Rules and Regulations
A red warning triangle and Drive on the right, use the
fluorescent vests must also left lane only for passing,
be carried at all times, for use and give way to traffic from
in the event of a breakdown. the right. Seat belts are
compulsory for all passengers
Petrol in the front and back. Heavy No stopping End of speed
Petrol (benzina) in Italy is fines are levied for using a restriction
mobile phone while driving.
some of the most expensive Headlights must be turned
in Europe (diesel, or gasolio, on even during the day on
is a little cheaper). Although motor ways and outside
many petrol stations are now built-up areas. The speed
self-service, it is still common limit in urban areas is 50 km/h
to be served by an attendant. (30 mph); outside urban Pedestrianized Give way to
Most petrol stations follow areas it is 110 km/h (70 mph) street – no traffic oncoming traffic
normal shop hours, so make on dual carriageways and
sure you have a full tank before 90 km/h (55 mph) on other
lunchtime or public holidays. secondary roads. On motor-
On motorways petrol stations ways the limit is 130 km/h
tend to be open 24 hours a (80 mph) for vehicles over
day. Credit cards and debit 1100cc and 110 km/h (70 mph) Danger (often with
cards are usually accepted. for those under 1100cc. No parking description)

630-631_EW_Italy.indd 630 4/5/17 9:32 AM
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Practical template “UK” LAYER
(Source v1.1)
Date 13th August 2012
Size 125mm x 217mm