Driving in Italy vs. United Kingdom: Key Safety Differences
Traveling abroad? Understanding the nuances of road rules is essential for safe navigation. In this comparison between Italy and the United Kingdom, you'll discover key distinctions such as driving on the right versus the left, varying speed limits, and unique signaling practices. Equip yourself with this knowledge to enhance your driving experience and ensure a secure journey.
Lanes
| Italy | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid White Line | No crossing or lane changes allowed. | Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle). |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; occasionally as edge line. | Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions. |
| Markings: Double Solid White Line | No crossing in either direction. | Do not cross or straddle in either direction. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not used for lane separation; may indicate temporary diversions. | Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4] | Railroad crossings | Near schools |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Mostly exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
italy:
Right
united kingdom:
Left
Markings: Solid White Line
italy:
No crossing or lane changes allowed.
united kingdom:
Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle).
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
italy:
Not commonly used; occasionally as edge line.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
italy:
No crossing in either direction.
united kingdom:
Do not cross or straddle in either direction.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
italy:
Not used for lane separation; may indicate temporary diversions.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK.
Overtaking: On Right
italy:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
united kingdom:
Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
italy:
Railroad crossings
united kingdom:
Near schools
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
italy:
Use rightmost lane.
united kingdom:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
italy:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
united kingdom:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
italy:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
united kingdom:
Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
italy:
Exclusive for bicycles.
united kingdom:
Mostly exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
italy:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
united kingdom:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
italy:
No
united kingdom:
No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
italy:
N/A
united kingdom:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Italy | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30 mph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20 mph in some areas |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 60 mph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 50 mph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 50 mph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 70 mph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 60 mph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 60 mph |
| Speed Units | km/h | mph |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation | Not typically used; fines are usually mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
italy:
50 km/h
united kingdom:
30 mph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
italy:
30 km/h
united kingdom:
20 mph in some areas
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
italy:
90 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
italy:
80 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
italy:
70 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
italy:
130 km/h
united kingdom:
70 mph
Highways: Buses And Vans
italy:
100 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
italy:
80 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Speed Units
italy:
km/h
united kingdom:
mph
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
italy:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
united kingdom:
Not typically used; fines are usually mailed
Signals
| Italy | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used; prepare to go when green appears | Prepare to go, not used in the USA |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Italian; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
italy:
Used; prepare to go when green appears
united kingdom:
Prepare to go, not used in the USA
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
italy:
Signal when exiting
united kingdom:
Signal when entering and exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
italy:
Italian; symbols are standard
united kingdom:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
italy:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
united kingdom:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Italy | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Not permitted in the UK |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Left turns permitted; use caution |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed except where prohibited by signage |
Right Turn On Red
italy:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
united kingdom:
Not permitted in the UK
Left Turn: General
italy:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
united kingdom:
Left turns permitted; use caution
Left Turn: At Intersections
italy:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
united kingdom:
Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic.
U- Turns Allowed
italy:
Varies by locality; check for signs
united kingdom:
Allowed except where prohibited by signage
Documentation
| Italy | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit often required alongside national license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory for vehicles over four years old | MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate | Not displayed; records are electronic |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
italy:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
united kingdom:
Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
italy:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
united kingdom:
International Driving Permit often required alongside national license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
italy:
Mandatory for vehicles over four years old
united kingdom:
MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
italy:
Displayed on license plate
united kingdom:
Not displayed; records are electronic
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
italy:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
italy:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Italy | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
italy:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
united kingdom:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Italy | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Substantial fines apply |
Limits: General Drivers
italy:
0.05%
united kingdom:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
italy:
0.00%
united kingdom:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
italy:
0.00%
united kingdom:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
italy:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
united kingdom:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
italy:
Substantial
united kingdom:
Substantial fines apply
Roundabouts
| Italy | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit |
Signaling: Entering
italy:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
united kingdom:
Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight
Lane Usage: Right
italy:
Use for first exit or straight
united kingdom:
Use for first exit
Emergency Services
| Italy | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 113 (State Police) | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 116 (ACI) | Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
italy:
112
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Traffic Police
italy:
113 (State Police)
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
italy:
116 (ACI)
united kingdom:
Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
italy:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
italy:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Italy | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; significant fines, possible license suspension | Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Varies; fines apply | £100 fine |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, strict enforcement | £200 and 6 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, may include points on license | £100 fine and 3 penalty points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible, especially for foreign drivers | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically a set period to pay, often 60 days | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
italy:
Varies; significant fines, possible license suspension
united kingdom:
Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points
Common Fines: Seat Belts
italy:
Varies; fines apply
united kingdom:
£100 fine
Common Fines: Phone Use
italy:
Fines apply, strict enforcement
united kingdom:
£200 and 6 penalty points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
italy:
Fines apply, may include points on license
united kingdom:
£100 fine and 3 penalty points
Payment: On The Spot
italy:
Possible, especially for foreign drivers
united kingdom:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
italy:
Varies; typically a set period to pay, often 60 days
united kingdom:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay