HI All,

I was wondering if one needs an "Italian Vignette" to use motorways in Italy?

The car in question has a swiss registeration plate and a swiss vignette already on it.

Also, any other tips for a newbie to italian motorways?

thx
Pan

Italy uses tolls on motorways, unless it has changed recently

I've heard it often helps to communicate with Italian drivers using hand gestures

Stay 179 % alert and if you are going on a motorcycle....reconsider.

As previously stated, they use tolls. They have the radar system installed, but it is amazing to me as when I do 130, EVERYONE passes me by. I don't know if they all have radar detectors or they just don't care.

In Italy all the autobahns are toll roads. The network is divided up into different company areas, some small, some big.

When you join the Autobahn there is a large covered area with toll booths. You drive to one, usually the one with a car sign, and get a ticket from the machine, sometimes it pops out and is ready to take, and sometimes you have to press a button. You can do all this without leaving your seat. !! DO NOT LOOSE THIS TICKET !!

You might drive hundreds of kilometers and stop several times at service areas, but you must keep the ticket with you.

When you change from one company area to another there will be pay toll booths, (and later ticket issuing booths). When you leave the autobahn there will be several pay booths. There are 3 ways of paying for your trip on this stretch of the autobahn, cash, credit card, wireless accounting.

1. When you approach the booths look at the signs above the road lanes, look for money signs and pay cash, there will be a human operator, and a display to tell you how much they want.

2. When you pay with a credit card, using a standard card Visa or Mastercard, there will be signs & pictures above the lane taking credit cards. You approach the toll booth for cars and the machine is on the left of your window. You put the autobahn ticket into the machine and a display shows how much is required. You then put your credit card into the same slot where you saw your ticket dissappearing! Very quickly your card is returned, the barrier goes up and a lady says "Arriever dertchy" There is always a human operator around watching the TV monitors, so if you have problems get out of the car and wait.
DO NOT DRIVE THROUGH THE BARRIER UNTIL YOU ARE SATISFIED otherwise stay near the car.

3. The third way is for commercial drivers who have a radio transponder, which records them passing through the booth. The lane is usually on the right hand end of the booths, DO NOT USE THIS LANE, KEEP AWAY! (I think it is called telemach or something, not sure) the trucks barely slow down, so be carefull!

It is quite worrying for the first few times, try not to collide with all the barriers, and try to choose the correct lane. If in doubt aim for the middle or the left side of the row of booths, be careful of people suddenly changing lanes, so drive slowly!

In the old days the police used to inspect your tickets, and if you had gone from A to B in too short a time, you got a speeding ticket.

Thanks to all for responding and special thanks to "Ittigen" for the details explanation how it all works in Italy.

The paying lines to avoid are marked "Telepass", the sign has some yellow and blue, you will see them clearly shown. Just don't go there, take any of the others.

And be careful, the way of driving is quite different from CH

Thanks Chiarina.

And be careful, the way of driving is quite different from CH >>> Please elaborate? Did you mean driving there is more reckless?

Speed is survival in Italy. I know this is a generalization, but sticking to 150-160 is pretty normal. As a foreigner, you might not be able to talk your way out of a speeding ticket however.

Telepass is always to the left as you go down the autostrada and pass the toll points.

Driving on the autostrada is wonderful. Some parts are 130kph and some are now 150kph. If you're not speeding, pull into the right hand lane and you'll be fine.

Driving in towns is more interesting. Just keep your eyes open, don't expect that people stay in their lanes and go with the flow.

If you drive regularly in Italy it's worth getting a telepass tag. it costs a few euro a month but it allows you to pay without stopping every time. Failing this, I recommend using a credit card as these lanes (clearly marked) are often empty when the cash payment lanes are full.

Speed limits have changed in Italy and the rule is now 130 on 2 lane sections and 150 on three or more lane sections. The trip to Bologna and on is largely 150 kph until you hit 2 lanes around Rimini. There are speed cameras in many of the gantries marked "Tutor"

You need to carry your licence when you drive and also have a hi vis jacket or vest in the front of the car. Available for a few quid on the motorway or petrol stations.

Easter traffic is murderous as well, so try not to travel Friday, Saturday or Monday if you are nervous.

Italy is beautiful and you'll have a great time, great food and meet lovely people. Don't forget to wear sunglasses at ALL times and stare unrelentingly if you want to pass as a local.

Best of luck on the Autostrada

When you queue up to pay the toll, not only you must avoid the yellow-marked "Telepass" lane, but also the lanes for "Viacard" only. Viacard is a prepaid card.

Stick to the lanes marked for cash payments (the sign has a logo with banknotes and coins). However if you end up in a viacard only lane it's not too bad, because there you can pay with you credit card.

There is no general rule to where are the different telepass/viacard lanes, sometimes on the left, sometimes on the right, just follow the signs for cash payment.

In some parts of motorway (for instance around Milano) you must pay before you enter, in this case you will not receive a ticket at the toll booth but you'll be asked for a couple of €.

Be more careful than usual while driving in Italy.

The general limit on the motorway is 130 km/h. Nobody goes so slow in Italy except huge lorries and swiss pensioners

The law allows the motorways with three lanes to have 150 km/h limit, but afaik no motorway manager dared to increase the limit to 150 yet.

In case of rain the limit drops to 110, and in case of fog it's 50 km/h on all the roads (including motorway).