Renting a car in Italy as a Canadian: licence, insurance and roads

Your licence

The Government of Canada says you may drive in Italy for up to one year with a valid Canadian licence if you also carry an International Driving Permit or a certified Italian translation of your licence. Hertz Italy says Canadians may rent with their national licence and passport, but it also warns that driving without a required IDP can bring police fines. Hertz requires your licence to have been held for at least one year. Carrying an IDP is the safe choice.

At Hertz Italy the minimum age is 25 for most cars. Drivers aged 21 to 24 can rent some car groups, and 23 to 24 for mid-range groups, with a young-driver surcharge of €36.60 a day (tax included). Premium cars need age 25 and luxury cars age 27.

Only CAA issues International Driving Permits in Canada. It costs $32 including tax, lasts one year, and is only valid with your Canadian licence.

Insurance: what to check

• The Government of Canada says international car insurance is mandatory in Italy. Check what liability cover your rental agreement includes.
• Canadian credit-card rental cover pays for damage to or theft of the car if you decline the rental company's collision waiver. It does not cover third-party liability or personal injury, and most cards cap rentals at 48 days (some 31).
• Hertz warns that driving without a required IDP risks police fines and vehicle confiscation for up to three months, and Hertz may charge you excess fees.

Roads, tolls and parking

• Many Italian city centres have a ZTL (Zona Traffico Limitato), a limited traffic zone where you need a permit to enter. A ZTL fine is €83 to €332 under Italian law, plus serving costs. Cameras record the plate, so check your hotel's ZTL rules before you arrive.
• Since December 2024, repeat breaches of the same ZTL now bring one fine per calendar day, but different zones or days still bring separate fines.
• Autostrade toll stations accept cash, credit cards, prepaid Viacard and Telepass. Pick the right lane (cash/card, card-only or Telepass). If you exit without paying, you can pay in the Telepass app within 15 days, so keep your entry ticket.
• Road quality is generally good near big cities but poor in some rural areas. Mountain roads are winding and narrow, and low-emission zones also require vehicles to meet environmental standards.

Staying safe on the road

• Rental companies identify the driver for a ZTL fine and typically charge an administration fee (around €25 to €50). The fine can reach you months later: authorities have up to 360 days to notify drivers outside Italy.
• Aggressive driving, speeding and heavy city traffic are common. Drive defensively in busy cities with narrow streets.
• Cars must carry a warning triangle and a reflective jacket. In winter, check snow tyre or chain rules in mountain areas.