What is the fine for driving without an IDP in Italy?

Routine fines start around €200 and reach €800 if combined with another infraction. More importantly, Polizia Stradale can stop you from continuing to drive — your trip ends at the side of the autostrada.

Does the IDP help with ZTL fines?

No. ZTL (Zona a Traffico Limitato) fines are camera-based and triggered by entering restricted historic centres. Always check ZTL maps before driving in Rome, Florence, Milan or Bologna. The rental company will pass the fine to you with a €40–60 admin fee.

Is the 1949 IDP enough or do I need the 1968 version?

The 1949 Geneva IDP is fully accepted in Italy. Some sources mention the 1968 Vienna IDP, but in practice every Italian rental agency and police force we know of accepts the 1949 format, which is what we issue.

Will my IDP work for the Italy + Greece + Croatia route?

Yes. The same IDP covers Italy, Greece and Croatia. All three are signatories to the 1949 Geneva convention.

How quickly can I get an IDP if I fly to Rome tomorrow?

The signed digital PDF is yours within 5–10 minutes of approval. You can show it on your phone at the rental desk. The printed booklet ships from Dubai by DHL Express and typically arrives in Italy within 3–5 business days, but the digital version is enough for the rental.

Recognised

Driving in Italy

International Driving Permit for Italy

Italy strictly enforces the IDP requirement for non-EU drivers. Recognises both the 1949 and 1968 conventions. Bring it — fines reach €800.

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Italy

Convention

1949 + 1968

Drive on the

Right

Speed limits

50 · 90 · 130

city · rural · motorway (km/h)

Blood-alcohol

0.5 g/L

Fine without IDP

$220–850

Major rental agencies: Hertz · Avis · Sixt · Europcar · Maggiore · Locauto

Real-world experience

What actually happens at the rental desk in Italy.

Rental at Rome Fiumicino, Milan Malpensa, Naples, Venice and Pisa: Hertz, Avis, Sixt and Europcar systematically check IDPs for non-EU passport holders. Italian local agencies (Maggiore, Locauto) are also strict — Italian rental practice is more bureaucratic than Spain or France.

A note on ZTL zones: Italian historic centres in Rome, Florence, Milan and Bologna have restricted-traffic zones with camera enforcement. The IDP does not get you a ZTL exemption. Driving into one without a permit is a separate €60–100 fine — and the fine is sent to the rental company, who passes it to you with an admin fee.

Polizia Stradale on the A1 (Milan–Naples) and A14 (Bologna–Bari) regularly check rental cars during peak summer weeks. They will ask for the IDP and the original licence. The fine for a foreign driver without an IDP starts around €200 and the bigger issue is they can prevent you continuing to drive.

About this destination

Italy is a signatory to both the 1949 Geneva and 1968 Vienna conventions, and accepts the IDP format alongside your national licence. Our 1949 booklet works everywhere in Italy.

Italy enforces this more strictly than most European countries. Carabinieri and Polizia Stradale routinely stop foreign-plated rentals on the autostrada in summer, and they will check both documents. EU drivers do not need an IDP — your national licence is fully recognised.

Common questions about Italy

If you are not from the EU/EEA: yes. Italian rental agencies will refuse non-EU customers without an IDP. EU and Swiss drivers do not need one. Post-Brexit UK drivers are treated as non-EU and should bring one.

Travelling further?

Nearby destinations

The same Official IDP works across all of these. Explore another country page to check local fines, conventions and rental experience.

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Driving in Spain

International Driving Permit for Spain

See country page

Get your IDP for Italy 🇮🇹

Digital PDF in 5–10 minutes. Printed booklet shipped from Dubai by DHL Express. Same booklet works in 195+ countries.

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