I often get asked if I ever drive in Italy. I personally don’t because I think it is a bit crazy, but my husband sure does. With eight trips to Rome and five separate drives out of the city, Max and I have certainly made our fair share of blunders. A valid US passport and an international driver’s permit are both required to drive in Italy. So check out my 2025 Guide to Renting a Car in Rome! I will also share driving and tips for avoiding fines in Italy.
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What do you need to Rent a Car in Rome
- International Driver’s Permit
- US Valid Passport or valid passport where you are from
- Credit Card for a Deposit
International Driver’s Permit
What many people forget to check is that you actually need an International Driver’s Permit. Non-EU/EEA Countries:
- Travelers from countries outside the European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA) generally need an IDP to drive in Italy. This includes:
- United States
- Canada
- Australia
- New Zealand
- India
- Japan
- China
- Most other non-EU nations.
My Brazilian cousin recently drove in Italy without the proper paperwork. They did not use a rental agency because they borrowed a car from a friend; she merely translated the license. I am unsure if this would be acceptable, and there were a couple of times that we were not asked for the permit when renting the car in Italy, but you want to be prepared.
How to Get the International Driver’s Permit?
As my brother-in-law recently stated, this is the easiest thing to do! All you need is to head to your closest Triple AAA office with your US driver’s license. You will pay around $30 and even cheaper if you are a Triple AAA member. Then they take your photo and give you the booklet. It is super quick and easy. I wouldn’t leave this for the very last minute just in case the office is full. The permit lasts for a year, so it’s beneficial to have.
Where to Rent a Car in Rome
When renting a car in Italy, you have a variety of options ranging from international chains ( Hertz, National, Entreprise, Avis etc) to reputable local companies. At first, we found a lot of negative reviews for the international brands in relation to the local offices. Then we also learned more about which were the top Italian brands:
- Locauto
- Noleggiare
- Maggiore
- Ecovia
- Win Rent
And one of the top brands that you will find at the Rome car rental office is Sixt, a German-based brand.
For years, Max and I used Expedia, but we often struggled to find great deals. Many of the car rental companies had very high deposit fees, especially when paying with a debit card. So even though to rent a car in Rome is generally a lot cheaper then renting a car in the US, you need to watch out for those deposit fees.
Pro Tip: If you have an excellent travel credit card, it’s definitely worth using, as it may also provide you with car insurance benefits.
Discover Cars – The Best Way to Rent a Car in Rome
I stumbled upon the Discover Cars website this year, and we are never looking back. Discover Cars is an excellent choice for renting a car in Italy, especially in Rome. They offer a seamless and user-friendly experience that caters to travelers’ needs. Here’s why it’s a standout option:
- Competitive Pricing and Easy Booking Process: Discover Cars allows you to compare rates from multiple car rental providers, ensuring you get the best price for your trip. The straightforward booking system makes securing your rental quick and hassle-free. We were able to rent a car then later and an SUV with no deposit needed!
- Flexible Cancellation Policies: Travel plans can change, and Discover Cars understands that. With their flexible cancellation policies, you can adjust or cancel your booking without unnecessary stress.
- Multilingual Customer Support: Whether you need assistance before, during, or after your trip, Discover Cars offers multilingual customer service to ensure you’re supported every step of the way.
Booking Your Rental Car: Discover Cars
It is super easy to rent a car with Discover Cars.
Step 1: Go to DiscoverCars.com.
Step 2: Select your pick-up/drop-off location and pick-up date and click on “Search Now”.
Step 3: Browse through the DiscoverCars.com search page. We make searching simple as each vehicle has a summary box where you can check the reviews and rental documents before clicking “View”. Make sure you check for top rated cards.
Step 4: Once you’ve selected your car, you’ll be taken to a booking page where you can review the details. On this page, you’ll have the option to select full coverage and any optional extras such as additional drivers, GPS, baby seat, etc. I recommend using the prepaid option so it’s all taken care of.
Step 5: Then the right car is chosen—time to book. After your booking confirmation, you’ll be sent a DiscoverCars.com voucher, which you’ll need to show when you pick up the car. Take a look at it, as it contains the most important information about your upcoming trip.
Bonus tip: It will be cheaper if you drop off your car at the same location or city as pick up.
Great Customer Service
We had an issue returning our car to the local office in Tuscany as it was Sunday and it was closed. The staff at Locauto, the company we found via Discover Cars, were so helpful. She stayed with me on the phone, making sure we found a solution and kept calling the local office. We ended up extending the car rental at a super great price!
So when I headed back to Rome 11 days later with my sister, mom, and brother-in-law, I knew we had to use Discover Cars again.
Discover Cars combines affordability, convenience, and exceptional support, making it an ideal platform for booking your next rental car in Rome or anywhere in Italy.
Bonus tip: When looking at the car options, check the car model on YouTube videos. Many cars in Italy are smaller, so you want to make sure you choose the car based on the space you need. We try to avoid vans or enormous cars because parking in cities like Rome or driving to smaller cities can be difficult, especially with larger vehicles.
Things to Check on Your Rental Car Before You Drive
When renting a car in Rome, it is typical to find scratches on these cars. It is essential that you inspect your car rental when picking up the car. Record a video or take some photos. The staff at Locauto used an iPad and showed us all the scratches, so it was all labeled, and there were no surprises afterward. This was our favorite car rented yet so glad it was only minor scratches unlike our other experiences previously.
Also, check if you need anything like GPS or a car seat, as these are add-ons. It’s best to get this while you are booking your rental, but Locauto, for example, was super accommodating when we had to add on my niece’s car seat.
Also check out Driving in Italy article.
To get or not to get Car Insurance.
This is a personal question. We typically don’t, but it depends where we will be driving. As mentioned, some credit cards also offer this as a card perk, so check to see if you have coverage already. When we drove in Sicily and Tuscany, we upgraded the insurance as we felt it would be more challenging driving there and wanted to avoid car expenses and issues.
We did opt for full coverage with Discover Cars in a recent trip and it was a super seamless process.
Driving in Rome
Overall, driving in Rome is not as chaotic, for example, in Palermo; however, this will depend on the time of year you will be visiting Rome. Rome, like many other historical cities in Italy, has areas called ZTL, which means, as a visitor, you can’t drive there or park there. It would be best to be mindful of these street signs and lights when driving in Rome.
What Are ZTL Zones?
- ZTL stands for Zona a Traffico Limitato or “Limited Traffic Zone.”
- These areas are restricted to reduce traffic congestion and pollution, allowing access only to local residents, public transportation, and authorized vehicles.
- Non-locals (including tourists) are not permitted to drive in ZTL zones without prior authorization. Violating this restriction can result in hefty fines.
How to Spot ZTL Signs
- Look for white signs with the text “Zona a Traffico Limitato”, often with a red circle.
- The signs may also display hours or days when the restrictions are enforced. Some zones are active only during specific times, while others are restricted 24/7.
- Below the sign, there may be details in Italian indicating exceptions (e.g., for taxis or delivery vehicles).
Pro tip: Message your accommodation host before you arrive, as they will tell you if your area is driveable or not. They will also share the best parking lots and places in Rome.
Paying attention to ZTL zones will save you from unexpected fines and make your driving experience in Rome much smoother.
Parking in Rome, Italy
Finding parking in Rome can be a challenge, but understanding the system and utilizing helpful tools can make it manageable. Here’s what you need to know:
Types of Parking Spots in Rome
Parking spots in Rome are marked by colored lines, each indicating specific rules:
- White Lines: These denote free parking, but they are extremely rare and often limited to specific areas or timeframes. If you spot one, consider yourself lucky!
- Blue Lines: These are for paid parking. You’ll need to use nearby parking meters to pay for your spot. Always check for signs indicating the hours of operation and fees. Payments can usually be made in cash or via mobile apps.
- Yellow Lines: Reserved parking for specific users, such as residents, government vehicles, or disabled drivers. Avoid parking here, as fines are strictly enforced.
Parking Apps and Tools
Technology can be your best friend when it comes to parking in Rome:
- Apps to Try:
- EasyPark: Allows you to find and pay for parking directly through the app. It even sends reminders when your time is about to expire.
- MyCicero: Another great app for locating parking spots and managing payments easily.
- Benefits of Booking Parking in Advance:
- Many garages near major attractions offer the option to reserve spots online. This saves time and guarantees parking in busy areas, especially during peak tourist seasons.
- Pre-booking often comes with fixed rates, helping you avoid unexpected costs.
If you are driving outside of Rome, hitting up the Autostrada, there will be tolls. You can pay the tolls by credit/debit card, but you want to make sure you go on the lanes that state biglgete, so tickets and don’t go on the telepass lane, as that is like a fast pass that local residents use.
Overall don’t forget to use the best Car Rental platform, Discover Cars and be mindful of the local rules and have fun.
