Car Rental in Messina (Sicily, Italy)

Driving Rules in Italy

• Carry your driving licence, passport/ID and insurance documents at all times. An International Driving Permit (IDP) may be required depending on your country of origin.
• Drive on the right-hand side of the road.
• Follow speed limits: typically 50 km/h in urban areas, 90 km/h on secondary roads, 110 km/h on dual carriageways and 130 km/h on motorways (autostrade), unless otherwise signposted. Lower speed limits may apply in adverse weather conditions.
• Maintain safe following distance, stay in your lane and use indicators when changing lanes, overtaking or turning.
• Obey all traffic signals and road signs; running a red light or ignoring traffic regulations may result in substantial fines.
• At roundabouts, give way to vehicles already circulating within the roundabout unless road signs indicate otherwise.
• The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.5 g/l for most drivers. Lower limits apply to novice drivers (during their first three years of holding a licence) and certain professional drivers. Penalties for drink driving are severe.
• Traffic cameras are widely used throughout Italy to enforce speed limits, restricted traffic zones (ZTL), red-light violations and other traffic offences.
• Use a mobile phone only with hands-free system while driving. Using handheld device is prohibited.
• All passengers must wear seat belts at all times.
• Children under 150 cm in height must use an approved child restraint system suitable for their height and weight, in accordance with Italian regulations.
• Move aside immediately for emergency vehicles using flashing lights and sirens.
• Parking is permitted only in designated areas. Pay attention to coloured parking lines: blue indicates paid parking, white usually indicates free parking and yellow is reserved for authorised vehicles or disabled permit holders. Illegal parking may result in fines or towing.
• Aggressive driving, dangerous overtaking, improper use of emergency lanes and driving in restricted ZTL (Limited Traffic Zone) areas without authorisation are subject to significant penalties.

• Learn the traffic rules. Familiarize yourself with Italian driving regulations beforehand to avoid fines. Always keep your driver’s license and vehicle documents with you in case the traffic police request them.
• Inspect the car. Check the vehicle thoroughly inside and out when you pick it up. Take photos or videos and make sure any scratches or damage are recorded in the handover report.
• Beware of the ZTL. Parts of Messina’s city centre are restricted traffic zones. Check signs carefully before entering the centre and park in a car park or paid street space outside the restricted area, so you avoid automatic camera fines.
• Check ferry rules. If you plan to cross the Strait to Calabria, ask your rental company in advance whether taking the car on the ferry or to mainland Italy is allowed and whether insurance covers it. Many suppliers restrict this.
• Be mindful of the heat. Summer temperatures in Sicily can be very high and may cause mobile phones, tablets and food to overheat or spoil. Avoid leaving electronics or perishables inside the car, and park in the shade when visiting beaches.
• Prepare for steep and busy roads. Messina is built on a narrow strip between the sea and the hills, with heavy traffic along the waterfront and steep, winding roads to the hilltop districts and the Peloritani. Take your time and use a low gear on descents.
• Monitor fuel level. Keep track of your fuel level especially when driving into the Peloritani and Nebrodi mountains, where gas stations can be scarce.
• Choose the right insurance. Make sure your rental includes sufficient coverage especially for collision and theft. Dense city traffic, narrow side streets and busy car parks make full coverage a good idea in high season.
• Plan for the summer season. Parking near the beaches of Torre Faro and Ganzirri and around the ferry port fills up quickly in July and August, so arrive early and book your car well in advance.