Driving in Italy? Nervous? 8 Pro Tips from a Seasoned American Driver

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Hi, I'm David, an American who's been braving the roads of Italy for over 15 years. In this video, I share 8 key insights to help you ease into Italian driving with the help of the awesome video course by Tripiamo. Why this video? Well, I was a rookie too at driving in this country and any advice I’ve been given was and is still most welcome! Buon viaggio!
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[@OKuusava]

Few tips. 1)If you are non EU, then pay the fine, as it could be that there is problems when arriving again in customs-guy checking your passport...2) If in Firenze, rent thev car at airport, not in the city, as the rentals are in the "zona limitato" Soithere is automatic for at least 2 fines. Leaving, and returning ;-)

[@DavidsDoseofItaly]

Welcome back! Those are excellent tips, thank you!

[@pulse4503]

As somebody put it, if you can drive in Rome properly, you can drive anywhere, you are a black belt driver

[@TheSicilianLife]

I drive in Carini, but not in Palermo. 🤣 It's too stressful. Thanks for the tips.

[@heidihawkins7002]

Sounds quite like South Africa. I'm still nervous but this video was very helpful with a visit to Italy coming up! Just driving on country roads, that's it!

[@norma8686]

If you have the triangle on the ground or a sign, you have to yield to the traffic, not the other way around. Never heard of tipping the people who pump the gas but it's always better to use self service cause the gas is also cheaper.

[@sallyjackson6183]

I've driven in Tuscany during two separate vacations. I was prepared for many of these items based on friends and videos like this. What I wasn't prepared for was streets the width of sidewalks! Even with small cars, some were a bit scary. And how to put the car in reverse! I'd love to learn about riding local buses outside the large cities.

[@DavidsDoseofItaly]

Oh dear did I say the opposite? I thought I said that the people with the triangle have to yield to oncoming traffic. Self serve is cheaper but I prefer to pay someone to avoid the slight irritation of having to pump my own gas. In Rome it’s common to tip especially since they’re foreigners who probably rely on them.

[@DavidsDoseofItaly]

Yup. You don’t know till you’re actually here ! I haven’t taken that many buses outside of the cities. But I do have some experience so what would you like to know?

[@TheRMD2]

I learned what the triangles were for. Worth a watch for that alone, and this after many road trips in Italy. 😂

[@ericgray6625]

Thanks David. Totally agree on the luxury car drivers, but I would also add the small white delivery trucks, especially on the autostrada. So many times I've seen them not paying attention when traffic is suddenly stopping. Also, if you're not accustomed to driving in Italy, I would never drive in the centro of one of the major cities. Third, be aware that people pull out pretty far into the intersection before stopping, which will make you feel like they're going to hit you. Overall, though, I actually prefer driving in Italy and feel safer on the roads here than the US, and nowhere near the scary aggression.

[@DavidsDoseofItaly]

OMG yes! I totally should have mentioned them! they are as bad as the luxury cars. In particular the IVECO drivers. Yeah, they forget that the thick white line means STOP! I agree driving in the centro is not a good idea for newbies. thanks for bringing this up!

[@antipinko_b5288]

As italian I avoid to drive my car in city center of big cities. Specially in center or south Italy. Rome, Napoli, Palermo… use public transports.

[@DavidsDoseofItaly]

@antipinko_b5288 I want to be doing more of that in the future

[@antipinko_b5288]

@@DavidsDoseofItaly Driving in Italy OUTSIDE the big centers is easy. Beware only of the narrow roads (sometime VERY narrow!) in some regions. Like Liguria as example. But if you drive carefully italians are mostly kind with strangers. Driving in the big cities is often a nightmare for the italians too. I am 65 with more than 40 years of driving cars, motorcycles and motorhomes. But I'd never drive my car in Roma or Napoli if I can! 😊

[@DavidsDoseofItaly]

If they know you’re a foreigner ! Rome is not impossible. It’s hard but you just need to be alert. I drive there every day

[@alex123888]

the AUDI/Merces/BMW agressive drivers is universal in Mexico too. have experienced it both as a cyclist and as a driver. I just tend to ignore them regardless of their honking or engine revving :v

[@DavidsDoseofItaly]

Exactly. Let them huff and puff

[@TheRMD2]

Italians drive like truck drivers, hard on the brake and hard on the gas. And their spacial distancing skills are anazing.

[@DavidsDoseofItaly]

Good comparison

[@pulse4503]

Yep It takes lots of skill to drive properly in Rome

[@guyg2154]

I was just more in shock that the lines are there and no one stays in them. Italy was not the only country to do that though. In Kuwait they had three lanes but it somehow always turns into 5

[@DavidsDoseofItaly]

I don’t get it either. The lines are put there for a very specific reason.

[@guyg2154]

@@DavidsDoseofItaly it’s an oddity but it happens. As long as everyone is alert and keeping that 360 degree awareness. I was just emailing you! I was going to see if you have considered doing a video on passports for dual citizenship. I haven’t ever got a straight answer. Once you get a second passport if it matters which you use or if you should carry both while abroad. I have read of some people getting into issues by not having it down. Hope the family is well and take care!

[@DavidsDoseofItaly]

I have just emailed you. But the basic idea is that always carry both passports on you when you travel. When you’re leaving Italy, use your Italian passport because otherwise at customs they will ask you how long you’ve been in the European Union 🇪🇺 if you present your US passport!

[@jonathanjourneys]

Great video David! New subscriber here... I heard they have new laws for digital nomads. Can you create some content around it? Much appreciated! Jonathan

[@DavidsDoseofItaly]

Hey Jonathan. Thanks for subscribing.! That’s a good idea for a video topic and I’ll jot it down. If I had to start all over again, that’s exactly the route I would pursue.

[@jonathanjourneys]

@DavidsDoseofItaly right...I feel like things have changed globally but bureaucracy is crazy in Italy.

[@DavidsDoseofItaly]

Sometimes it works out. Me and my wife, my daughter went to the police station to renew our passports, and honestly, the whole process was easy. They were punctual efficient and friendly. I guess we got lucky.

[@pulse4503]

1:21 excellent point 😊👍

[@DavidsDoseofItaly]

I feel it’s a concept that I never experienced in the USA

[@TheRMD2]

Be careful in Florence around the train station. I saw I was entering the ztl zone and did a you turn on a green light. Still got a ztl ticket. And yes it arrived 9 months afterwards, mostly because they had entered my address incorrectly. Around 60 + 30 to the rental car company. If you get a charge of 30 from the rental car company one to two months after your trip. Expect a fine to come in the mail in the next year 😅

[@DavidsDoseofItaly]

So it IS true 😅. I’m not surprised though. It’s not as easy to make a U-turn as compared to the states.

[@kellydragna7632]

Grazie mille for the video! I am getting my passport on July 8 at the consulate in Los Angeles. When I was there and when I go there in future bad drivers in Italia might be my biggest concerns. There are horrible drivers here in the Los Angeles area, but they do not compare to Italian drivers.

[@DavidsDoseofItaly]

You’ll get used to them. I did. Just keep your wits about you and stay really focused. I always tell my wife to not talk to me while I’m driving so I can focus.

[@norma8686]

oh, come on, we're not that bad, there are a lot of normal drivers here, maybe the big cities are different

[@DavidsDoseofItaly]

@@norma8686 😄😄😄. Most people are fine, but there are enough idiots out there.

[@kellydragna7632]

@@norma8686 In October my wife rented a car in Palermo and drove to Corleone, where my great grandfather was from. Getting out of Palermo was many times more terrifying than anything I have ever encountered in the United States. After we got of Palermo driving to Corleone was fine. Then a few days later we drove from Corleone to Taormina, and that was fine. Yet, I tell people that driving in Palermo is like driving anarchy.

[@DavidsDoseofItaly]

I was only in Palermo once and I drove there. I guess I got lucky because it wasn’t too chaotic. Maybe I didn’t notice the chaos because I am used to driving here in Rome.

[@bobandmarybutera8940]

Thanks!

[@DavidsDoseofItaly]

Wow ! Thank you. What an unexpected surprise 😊

[@bobandmarybutera8940]

@@DavidsDoseofItaly I was surprised to hear your wife’s family is from Caltanissetta. My nonni Butera emigrated from Riesi CL. My dual Citizenship (JS through nonno Butera) is registered there as well. Really enjoy your videos as you get into the culture, and other aspects that will help Americans be better guests in Italy. Looking forward to more your great content. Grazie per tutto quello che fai

[@DavidsDoseofItaly]

Thank you 😊. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pJaXn2qtZtd5iZosi=ECWMpn0Un0GZzcjK I hope you enjoy this one !

[@John-cs1cj]

Thanks for the tips!! A couple questions. I’ve heard it can be difficult to use a credit card at the gas stations when doing self service. You need a pin which most credit cards do not have. Is that true? Also, is an international driver license necessary for renting a car? A year ago I rented a car for a one day rental in Tuscany and they never asked for it. Just my US license. Thanks!!!

[@DavidsDoseofItaly]

Generally they shouldn’t ask for a PIN with a credit card. As for the international license I say bring it anyway. You never know because if they ask and you don’t have it you’re out a rental

[@mrlaleather]

David - does your course correspond to the Italian driving course that I will be taking to get my patente? I'm looking for a way to study for the exam. Thanks

[@DavidsDoseofItaly]

Good question. I’d say yes it can help but you’d still need driving school or study the manual like I’m doing

[@lcbrye]

How do we get the car that we reserved? Every time we received a different model vehicle. I’m just wondering what the trick is.

[@DavidsDoseofItaly]

Glad you asked. The car I had reserved was different when I arrived at the airport. I guess it depends on the availability when you arrive.