Bella Confusione: The traffic rules of Italy

In Italy, the traffic is sometimes confusione grande

From of our editorial team

Italy. Land of pasta. Land of love. Land of traffic rules that sometimes make you want to laugh out loud - but not while driving, and certainly not with both hands off the steering wheel. Because that could be interpreted as a lack of vehicle control - and that will be penalised.

Between Vespa-Romanticism and Autostrada-Stress rules apply in bella Italia that sometimes surprise even long-established tourists to Tuscany. Here are the top 10 most bizarre regulations: If you read to the end, you will never again cruise through Amalfi in flip-flops on the wrong day.

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1. absolute horn ban in built-up areas - only one exception

In Italy, there is an absolute ban on honking in built-up areas - except in the event of imminent danger. This means: no signal to the car in front that the traffic lights have been green for 0.2 seconds, no nice greeting to the neighbours and no snappy tut-tut for the wedding in the piazza.

Even if the German media occasionally talk about the tongue-in-cheek "siesta horn ban" - the law simply states: please don't honk at all. Full stop. If you honk anyway, you risk a fine of between 42 and 173 euros.

🗃️ Legal basis: Art. 156 Codice della Strada (CdS)

2. hands on the steering wheel - no arm room

One arm casually out of the window? Dolce Vita or not: if you don't have both hands on the wheel in Italy or have your elbow permanently hanging out of the window, you can get into trouble - at least if it interferes with vehicle control. This is what happened in Genoa:

There, a driver received a fine of 85 euros and a point deduction for driving with his arm out of the window. The police justified this with Article 140 Codice della Strada: full control of the vehicle must be guaranteed at all times.

🗃️ Legal basis: Art. 140 Codice della Strada (CdS)

3. drink-driving: car can be auctioned off

Anyone driving with more than 1.5 per mille will not only lose their driving licence in Italy, but possibly also their car licence: the vehicle can be confiscated and auctioned off. Plus fines of up to 6,000 euros.

🗃️ Legal basis: Art. 186 CdS

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4. novice drivers on a short leash

Driving licence not yet three years old? Then it's time to slow down and reduce your blood alcohol level to zero. Maximum 100 km/h on the motorway, 90 on country roads - and not a drop of alcohol, please.

In the first year, novice drivers are only allowed to drive cars with low power, to be precise with a maximum of 75 kW/t (equivalent to around 101 hp). Offences cost between 168 and 682 euros.

🗃️ Legal basis: Art. 117 CdS

5. even-odd rule on the Amalfi Coast

A traffic concept like something out of a Sudoku puzzle: in summer, only those whose licence plate number matches the calendar day are allowed to drive on the notorious SS163 coastal road. Even number on the licence plate = even day. And vice versa. The rules apply from June to October. The fine for offences is around 80 euros.

🗃️ Legal basis: ANAS Regulation No. 340/2019
🔗 PDF regulation: Distretto Costa d'Amalfi 2024

6. refuelling? Only without a mobile phone

Using your mobile phone while refuelling is explicitly forbidden in Italy. Because of radio waves, sparks and the fire brigade. So please: first the petrol tap, then the WhatsApp status. If you don't comply, you risk a fine of up to 500 euros. Prohibited by ministerial decree and occupational health and safety law.

🗃️ Legal basis: Regolamento Ministeriale 31/07/1934 & D. Lgs. 81/2008 (Art. 46 ff.)

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7. crossing the road diagonally? Also forbidden

Pedestrians not only have to look, they have to count: If there is a zebra crossing within 100 metres, you are not allowed to cross the road at an angle. Anyone who crosses the road will pay between 26 and 102 euros.

🗃️ Legal basis: Art. 190 para. 2 CdS

8. jogging on the edge of the carriageway? Also not allowed

The road is there for cars. Joggers must use pavements - or suitable paths. If you run on the road, you not only risk being honked at and complained about, but also a parking ticket of between 26 and 102 euros.

🗃️ Legal basis: Art. 190 para. 7 CdS