Driving Tips for Your First Roadtrip in Puglia, Italy.
I’ve just returned from the most incredible trip to Italy and I finally got to visit a region I’ve been dreaming about for years - Puglia! When I was doing research on this area, I read many stories of how public transportation was unreliable and that the best way to experience the area was by renting a car. While public transportation seemed to be functioning really well, I am so glad we rented a car. I don’t think we would have been able to see or do half the things we did and it was well worth it. I’ve driven in many foreign countries before, but it seemed like Italy had a lot of unspoken rules and driving etiquette that we learned over the time. I’d heard horror stories of friends coming home with thousands of dollars of tickets and I can’t lie - I was really nervous. My hope is share everything we learned so you can have a wonderful adventure and come home debt free!
ZTL (Zona Traffico Limitato)
I put this first, because if you take anything away from this post, I hope its that you understand what a ZTL is. ZTL (or Zona Traffico Limitato) is usually the historic area of a city. The roads are reserved for locals. Tourist are prohibited from entering them. However, there is usually nothing there from stopping you from entering this area other than a sign with a red circle. In some cities they will have barriers, but most do not. They just have this tiny red circle sign that you are suppose to know means “Enter and Get Fined”. The fines can be up to €500 and they will fine you every time you cross the entry line. They do not care if its was a mistake and you quickly turn around. They do not care if you are lost. It is purely an automated system that will ticket you. You usually get your ticket in the mail up to a year after your trip. Not IDEAL.
As an American, I would have thought that the blue sign with the red circle and line going through it meant do not enter, but that one means do not park. The ZTL sign is much smaller. Behind it you can make out an image of a camera, basically showing you that if you cross this line you are being filmed and will get a ticket
International Drivers Permit
If you are an American, make sure to get your international drivers permit before you leave. Most car rental companies will not tell you you need one, but when you go to pick up the car they will not let you have it without one. The likely will not give you a refund either. You can get your IDP at AAA for $25 in about 15 minutes. This process was super easy and it will be good for any country you visit in the future.
Street Signs
Do you research on the different street signs before you go. They will all be very different then those you see in America and you don’t want to try to be navigating a foreign city, driving a different car and trying to figure out what a street sign means (all while an Italian is riding your ass). Here are a few signs that we often saw.
No Stopping
Minimum Speed Limit
Maximum Speed
No Parking
Parking ahead.
No passing
Parking
Parking spots in Italy are color coded: White spaces are free, blue are paid, yellow spaces are reserved for handicapped permits, taxis or official vehicles. A local told us that parking is tricky - she recommends always choosing a paid spot, since sometimes the free spots can come with time limits and even the locals don’t know what the time limit is. When we traveled, we usually opted for a lot where we paid someone a lot fee. This felt like a much safer option to us. If you do choose to park in a parking space, make sure you have a parking disc. It goes in your dashboard and tells the parking monitors what time you arrived. You can purchase these in the Tabacchi
Driving Etiquette
Josh said it perfectly - “it seems like the locals like to go 20 to 30 kilometers over the speed limit, ride on your ass until there’s a no passing zone. And then they pass you. Ignore all stop lights, all stop signs. And you can park on either side of the road in either direction with only half your car in the space.”
Basically they drive fast and have no issue riding on your ass. They will pass you, so just keep driving the speed limit and do your thing. Don’t let it fluster you, this is just the way they drive.
Navigation
We often found that Apple Maps did not give us very accurate directions and would take us the wrong way down one ways or through ZTLs. Google maps was much more accurate.
Local Laws
Italian traffic laws are strictly enforced, and fines for violations like speeding and illegal parking can be high. Always wear your seatbelt, don’t use your mobile phone while driving, and adhere to speed limits. Drunk driving laws are strict and they have tolerence limits much lower than America, so it’s best to avoid alcohol if you’re the designated driver.
Just Do It!
Driving through Puglia was magical and it truly was the best way to see this beautiful area of Italy. If you are at all hesitant about doing it, push the fear out of the way and go for it. You won’t regret it!
Rent With a Trusted Provider
Renting a car can either be a smooth, seamless process, or an absolute nightmare. I really like using discover cars - I can always find great deals with trusted providers.
My Travel Essentials
Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card - This credit card is essential for all my travels! I have no foreign transaction fees and it works everywhere I go. If you sign up with my link, you’ll get
Sofi Banking - If you havent jumped on the HYSA train yet, what are you waiting for? This is by far my favorite place to keep my money - interest rates are amazing and they are super friendly to use!
SafetyWing Travel Insurance - I don’t travel without it. SafetyWing has affordable plans and it is really easy to make a claim with them.
