Question: "We’re planning a trip to Italy and we plan to rent a car. We’ve read conflicting information about whether or not we (as US nationals) will need an international driver’s permit. What should we do?"
There’s no shortage of information out there about driving in Italy as a visitor – but the rules aren’t always crystal clear.
For example, the official website for the US Embassy and Consulates in Italy says that travellers “should obtain an International Driving Permit before leaving the US”.
But then it also says: “Tourists may also use their valid American driver’s licence if accompanied by an official translation in Italian.”
So what do you actually need?
Italy’s official rules state that US nationals and other visitors to Italy from outside of the European Union – including Canadians and Australians, but not Brits – essentially have two choices.
“Unless your national driving licence was issued by an EU/EFTA-member state, it must be accompanied either by an international driving permit, to be obtained prior to departure, or by a certified translation (traduzione giurata) into Italian,” according to information provided in English by motoring association ACI (Automobile Club d’Italia).
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In practice, most people find that getting the international driving permit (IDP) is by far the easier option.
Obtaining a certified translation into Italian of any foreign-issued document can often be quite expensive and complicated.
ACI confims that you'll need to get the translation from an embassy or consulate, or through a certified translator or interpreter who "will need to declare before a court registrar that the translation is a true copy of the original".
By comparison, the process of getting hold of an IDP is straightforward.
For US nationals, applying (in person or by mail) via the American Automobile Association (AAA) costs $20 (plus sales tax if applicable), and the only requirements are that you are aged over 18 and already have a valid driver’s licence.
The AAA says you can apply for an IDP up to six months before your trip. Once granted, the IDP will be valid for one year.
Do I really need to get an IDP?
You may have heard that travellers don’t need to bother getting either document for a trip to Italy – some people will tell you they’ve driven on Italian roads plenty of times without being asked to show an IDP.
Anecdotally, it sounds as though most visitors to Italy are unlikely to ever be asked to produce it, though some regular visitors have told The Local that they find checks have become more frequent in recent years.
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Unfortunately, not having the required document when needed could prove problematic and expensive.
Rental companies may ask you to show both your licence and your IDP when you pick up your vehicle, though it depends on the company.
More importantly, if you get pulled over by the police in Italy (you don’t need to be doing anything wrong; random roadside checks are common) or get into a car accident, and you don’t have the permit when asked for it, you could be fined anywhere between €408 and €1,634.
As with so many things in Italy, experiences vary enormously depending on where you go: police in each Italian region or city tend to have different priorities and often interpret and apply certain rules differently.
Considering the hefty fine you could end up with, it is advisable that you follow the rules and get your IDP if your licence was issued in the US or another country where Italian rules specify that this is a requirement.
Even if you never need to show it to anyone, it’ll give you peace of mind and help make your trip to Italy a more relaxing experience.
Please note that The Local cannot advise on individual cases.
For more details about how Italy's road rules may apply in your circumstances, consult the Italian embassy in your country or read more about the rules on driving in Italy on the ACI website (in Italian).
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