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The Complete Italy Driving and Rental Guide

Its excellent road conditions and highway network makes Italy an ideal country to discover by car. Here is a brief guide we have prepared to help you ease your trip.

  • Speed Limit and Traffic Signs
  • Seatbelt and Child Safety
  • Parking, Fuel and Toll
  • Traffic Violation
  • Driving Licence and Age Requirements

Speed Limit and Traffic Signs

Driving in Italy is on the right-hand side of the road and you should overtake from the left. Horns must be used in moderation, and honking is prohibited in built-up areas unless there is an emergency. Dipped headlights must be used on two-lane motorways at all times.

Speed Limit

Speed limits for cars and motorbikes (vehicles with engine size over 150 cc) depend on the types of roads, and are of:


- 50 km/h (31 mph) in urban areas


- 90 km/h (56 mph) on minor out-of-town roads


- 110 km/h (68 mph) on major out-of-town roads


- 130 km/h (81 mph) on motorways. 


In the event of rain on snow, the limit is lowered to 110 km/h on motorways and 90 km/h on trunk roads.

Traffic Signs

Traffic signs in Italy follow the general European conventions and can be basically sorted into four types: regulatory signs, warning signs, information signs and direction signs.


Regulatory Signs

Italian regulatory signs mostly feature a circular shape, with some exceptions.

Italy_Traffic_Sign_Give_WayGive WayItaly_Traffic_Sign_Stop_and_Give_WayStop and Give WayItaly_Traffic_Sign_Stop_Pay_TollStop, Pay TollItaly_Traffic_Sign_Stop_Police_RoadblockStop, Police RoadblockItaly_Traffic_Sign_No_U_TurnNo U-turnItaly_Traffic_Sign_No_OvertakingNo OvertakingItaly_Traffic_Sign_Maximum_Speed_30_km_hMaximum Speed 30 km/h

Warning signs 

In Italy, warning signs are in regular triangular shape with red border and white background. 

Italy_Traffic_Sign_Uneven_RoadUneven RoadItaly_Traffic_Sign_Pedestrian_Crossing_AheadPedestrian Crossing AheadItaly_Traffic_Sign_Wild_AnimalsWild AnimalsItaly_Traffic_Sign_Level_Crossing_with_Barrier_or_Gate_AheadLevel Crossing With Barriers or Gates AheadItaly_Traffic_Sign_Level_Crossing_without_Barrier_or_Gate_AheadLevel Crossing Without Barriers or Gates Ahead

Information Signs 

Italian information signs are usually rectangular with blue or brown background.  

Italy_Traffic_Sign_TunnelTunnelItaly_Traffic_Sign_HospitalHospitalItaly_Traffic_Sign_First_AidFirst AidItaly_Traffic_Sign_Youth_HostelYouth Hostel

Direction Signs 

Direction signs in Italy feature a rectangular shape with different background colors to indicate the type of road that is being directed to, which is: green for motorways, white for urban roads and blue for the others. 

Italy_Traffic_Sign_Motorway_DirectionMotorway DirectionItaly_Traffic_Sign_Primary_or_Secondary_Road_DirectionPrimary or Secondary Road DirectionItaly_Traffic_Sign_Urban_Area_DirectionUrban Area Direction
*Please be aware that rules are subject to change. QEEQ.COM will try the best to maintain the accuracy of this information.

Seatbelt and Child Safety

Seatbelt Laws

All passengers both in front and rear seats are required to wear a seat belt in Italy. Failure to do will result in a fine from €40 to €70.

Booster Seat Laws

Regardless of the weight or age of the children, all children under 150cm must use a UN R44/R129 approved child car seat. 

*Please be aware that rules are subject to change. QEEQ.COM will try the best to maintain the accuracy of this information.

Parking, Fuel and Toll

Parking

· Permitted Parking


Parking spots in large cities in Italy can be difficult to find. Try to look for paid parking signs and parking metres to pay and park properly.

Italy Street Parking Sign


White lines on the parking lots mean free parking. In many towns, free parking is allowed in certain time frames and is indicated by a parking sign nearby. You will need to display a parking disc behind the windshield. However, in big cities like Florence, free parking spots are for residents only. In Rome and Milan, such parking lots may be free and open to both residents and tourists as long as you follow the instructions of the parking signs.

Italy Parking White Lines(Image from cinqueterreinsider.com)


Parking in yellow zones is only permitted for taxis, official vehicles or disabled people who have a disabled permit or a European Blue Card.

Italy Parking Yellow Lines (for Disabled only)


Parking places with pink lines or a pink parking sign are used to serve expectant mothers and women with infants for both residents and short-term visitors. Although local police cannot really check whether these parking spots are taken by particular drivers, most Italians still respect the rules and will not take up these spots unless there is an emergency.

Italy Pink Parking Sign



· Paid Parking


In most Italian cities and towns, blue lines indicate paid street parking. Follow the parking signs to pay and park within the permitted time frame. If no dispenser machines can be found near the parking areas, try asking the tobacco shop or news stands nearby.

Italy Parking Blue Lines(Image from arizaisaretleri.com) 


· Forbidden Parking


In Italy, parking signs feature some words telling you when and where to park.


Accompanied Italian wordings -- “Passo Carrabile” means you are not allowed to park at all times.

Italy_Traffic_Sign_No_Parking_at_all_Times


Otherwise, certain time frames will be provided together with the “No Parking” and parking signs to indicate prohibited and permitted parking time.

Italy_Traffic_Sign_Parking_Prohibited_at_Certain_Times


Parking illegally in Italy will result in a car clamping or towing away as well as a fine.

Fuel Prices

The average price for gasoline price in Italy was 1.57 Euros per litre in January 2018, while diesel was 1.44.

Toll

Tolls are only required when driving on most of the highways. Highways in Italy are marked with the letter A followed by a number in a green octagon.Italy_Traffic_Sign_Motorway_Number_Sign_A


When entering a toll road, you will receive a ticket from a machine with a sign “Bigliette” standing nearby. Keep this ticket carefully when you are on the highway.


When you reach the exit, lanes marked by different colours mean that there are different ways to pay, namely: Telepass, credit card or cash.

Italy Highway Entrance(Image from euractiv.com)


Telepass is an electronic toll device connected to your Italian bank account, allowing you to pass through without stopping and serving very much alike with the Electronic Tolling System you may find in other countries. It most suits the local drivers. 


To pay by credit card, you should provide the ticket you have collected at the entrance and insert it into the auto-collecting machine and then pay with your credit card.


Have a look at this local highway site to calculate the toll fees you may be charged with in Italy.


Note that if you fail to pay the toll in Italy while driving a rented car, the authorities will pass on the infringement information to the car hire company, which will usually add some management fees. However, as not every car hire company can pay your unpaid tolls on your behalf, you are sometimes required to pay for it on your own on the local highway website by entering the notice number. And you are always welcomed to contact QEEQ’ 24/7 customer support team to assist you with this matter.

*Please be aware that rules are subject to change. QEEQ.COM will try the best to maintain the accuracy of this information.

Traffic Violation

DUI Laws

In Italy, drink driving will be treated as severe infringement. The BAC for regular drivers is 0.05% (50mg per 100ml). Breaching 50mg and to 80mg per 100ml will result in a fine between €500 and €2,000 as well as a 3 to 6 months' licence suspension. From 80mg to 150mg, the fine will goes up and from €800 to €3,200, with 6 to 12 months’ licence suspension, or even up to 6 months imprisonment in extreme circumstances.

Traffic Fines

Receiving a speeding ticket can be quite often especially for international travellers or short-term visiting drivers. Speed cameras are set up in many places, in big cities as well as small towns, and it is very easy to miss the notice that you have entered into a 50km per hour zone.


Speeding fines in Italy depend on the amount you are over the speed limit, ranging from €41 up for 10km/h to €828 for more than 60km/h. Paying within 5 days after the citation is issued can result in a 30 percent discount.


Note that if you are renting a vehicle in Italy, the unpaid speeding infringement information will be passed onto the car hire company by the authority. In this case, the car hire company will charge you for an additional administrative fee if it is eligible to collect on behalf of the authority.


· The Limited Traffic Zones


Most of the central areas in major Italian cities and towns have Limited Traffic Zones (called Zona Traffico Limitato or ZTL in Italian) for which entrances are usually marked with no vehicle traffic signs and supplementary signs explaining the times of the ban and which categories are excluded. The entrances of the ZTLs are mostly located at crossings, traffic lights or roundabouts and monitored by cameras that register the transiting vehicles.

Italy ZTL Sign(Image from internationalgarage.com)


Use the above sign as an instance. This sign indicates you are not allowed to drive into this area between 7:30 to 19:30 from Monday to Saturday. The crossed hammers on the sign mean these restrictions do not apply on Sunday and holidays. Driving and acting on a safe side is always recommended if you are sure about what exactly the sign indicates.


Fines will be incurred when failing to follow the regulations of the ZTLs and the amount of fine can range from 50 to 150 Euros, varying by city.


To avoid ticketing from the ZTLs, we would recommend the following measures:


- Park your car outside the historical centre of Italian cities and use the public transportation to get there. 


- Get a passing certificate from a grocery store and send your plate number and identification number of the passing certificate to the Provincial Office of Motor Vehicles (Ufficio Provinciale della Motorizzazione Civile, UMC) via mobile messages. Each passing certificate costs €5 and is valid for one day


- Find the “ZTL Parking” lot after entering the ZTL within 20 minutes and your plate number will be taken off the record automatically or manually (note the parking fee is costly). 


- Go to the hotel’s front desk and ask them to help to take off your record from the policy if you are staying in a hotel within a ZTL. 


- Or just simply avoid the ZTLs by using Google Map or any other navigation soft wares. 

*Please be aware that rules are subject to change. QEEQ.COM will try the best to maintain the accuracy of this information.

Driving Licence and Age Requirements

To rent a car in Italy, the driver need to be in possession of a valid driving license and generally be held for at least 2 years


All licences issued by the European Union (and Switzerland) are accepted. 


Driving licences from non-EU countries are accepted if you have not been in Europe for longer than 6 months. If your domestic driving licence is not in English, an International Driving Permit (IDP/IDL) or an official translation in English is required together with your original driving licence. 


The minimum age generally to rent a vehicle in Italy is 18 years old (age may vary by car categories and suppliers). 


*IMPORTANT NOTE: Each car hire company has its own requirements. Please check Terms and Conditions of your hire car during the booking process. 

*Please be aware that rules are subject to change. QEEQ.COM will try the best to maintain the accuracy of this information.

Guest reviews

1 /
Anonymous

November 6, 2025

Destination: Naples

10Excellent

Satisfied, the process was simple.

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Anonymous

November 5, 2025

Destination: Milan

10Excellent

Overall, quite satisfied.

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Anonymous

November 4, 2025

Destination: Milan

10Excellent

Hertz just hands you the keys without anyone checking the car condition with you, but they do email you detailed information about any scratches on the vehicle. Returning the car is easy too; you just drop the keys in the designated box at the drop-off location.

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Anonymous

November 3, 2025

Destination: Milan

10Excellent

Very good.

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Anonymous

October 30, 2025

Destination: Rome

10Excellent

Picking up and returning the car was super convenient, and they even upgraded the car for free. Just waiting to confirm if there will be any unreasonable charges.

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Anonymous

October 29, 2025

Destination: Florence

10Excellent

The car rental process was smooth, returning the car was hassle-free, and the staff were really nice.

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Cathy Whit

October 28, 2025

Destination: Milan

10Excellent

Pretty good!

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Linda Nancy

October 28, 2025

Destination: Milan

10Excellent

Very easy to locate. First of all, the airport is not large, and just outside the door in the nearby building is the car rental hall with several brands clearly marked. The staff were very welcoming. Having been to Europe several times, I must say the young lady who assisted us this time was genuinely very nice. After completing the paperwork, the parking lot is directly in the building's upper level. The person assisting in the parking lot was also a young lady, which is not common in my many car rental experiences in Europe—it’s usually older men or women. The local Italian young people provide good service. We weren’t too keen on the car they initially offered, but they allowed us to choose another car of the same class on the spot. The car’s condition was excellent.

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BMcCulloch

October 26, 2025

Destination: Rome

10Everything went perfectly.

First time renting from them. Very impressed.

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Isabel Grace

October 26, 2025

Destination: Milan

10Excellent

The service is excellent when purchasing full insurance.

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Antonio Lancelot

October 25, 2025

Destination: Milan

10Excellent

Recommend better models based on your actual car usage.

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Blake Morton

October 24, 2025

Destination: Milan

8Very good

They didn't have the Focus I wanted. At first, they gave me an MG4, which I declined. Then they offered a Jeep Avenger. I thought it was a sedan where I could hide luggage, but all the cars turned out to be hatchbacks. Thankfully, the trunk had a black cover so luggage inside wasn't visible from outside.

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Lewis Hopkin(s)

October 24, 2025

Destination: Ravenna

10Excellent

Attentive and friendly service

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Yedda Lucy

October 24, 2025

Destination: Venice

10Excellent

The rental location is easy to find, and the service is professional.

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Julius Hughes

October 24, 2025

Destination: Milan

10Excellent

Pickup and return were very convenient. I purchased full insurance, so there were no worries when returning the car—just left the keys and walked away. However, the hybrid CX60 was extremely hard to drive without electricity. Also, the left front tire was underinflated when picking up the car, and I couldn't locate the puncture on-site. The store staff fully inflated it, and I drove off. Two days later, the pressure dropped to 1 bar, and I quickly found a roadside repair shop. Turns out, there was a nail in the tire from the start. I had to pay 30 euros for the tire repair myself.

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Joyce Bradley

October 24, 2025

Destination: Milan

10Excellent

The store is located outside the airport, and there is a shuttle service at Gate 6, which is very convenient. The staff didn't try to upsell insurance when I picked up the car, but I requested to purchase full coverage insurance. The staff member patiently explained it to me. Since I had full coverage, returning the car was smooth as well—just handed over the keys and I was done. The €500 deposit was refunded the same day.

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Bruce Hood

October 24, 2025

Destination: Venice

8Very good

The best part about this car rental was that there were no sales pitches, and the staff were quite laid-back.

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Chloe Roland

October 24, 2025

Destination: Rome

8Very good

The location is clear.

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Julie Maltz

October 23, 2025

Destination: Rome

10Excellent

This is my second time renting a car from your company, and the experience was excellent!

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Dorothy Hansom

October 22, 2025

Destination: Milan

10Excellent

The process of picking up and returning the car was very convenient.

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Sharon Walker

October 22, 2025

Destination: Milan

10Excellent

The car rental company provides excellent service with high efficiency in both pick-up and drop-off processes.

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Jacqueline Huggins

October 22, 2025

Destination: Milan

10Excellent

The car was good, and the pickup process went smoothly. The staff were polite. Due to changes in my itinerary, I had to change the drop-off location, and the fee was reasonable at 80 euros. Overall, a very good experience. Reminder: Traveling from Switzerland to Italy on Fridays may result in traffic jams, so plan your time accordingly.

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Alan Harry

October 22, 2025

Destination: Venice

10Excellent

The car was in good condition and very new. There was no sales pitch during pickup, and the deposit was refunded quickly after drop-off.

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May Juliana

October 22, 2025

Destination: Rome

10Excellent

The service was excellent, and both picking up and returning the car were very quick.

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Nat Watt

October 21, 2025

Destination: Milan

10Excellent

Excellent

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Hunter Pollitt

October 21, 2025

Destination: Palermo

10Excellent

The company's service is excellent, and the process is straightforward.

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Madeline Surrey

October 21, 2025

Destination: Milan

10Excellent

This car rental company provides professional service and great value for money. I will choose them again next time!

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Flora Bess

October 20, 2025

Destination: Milan

10Excellent

The car rental process was efficient, with no insurance upselling or unnecessary troubles, completed in just 5 minutes. Although I was given a car with multiple scratches, the return process was simple—just a quick check and signature to confirm, and the deposit was refunded instantly.

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Monroe Henley

October 18, 2025

Destination: Milan

10Excellent

The staff initially provided a manual Skoda, but after communication, they upgraded it to a Romeo. The car was great to drive, no hidden fees, and Europcar is very reliable for overseas car rentals. The deposit of 100 euros was refunded the next day.

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Gwendolyn Elinor

October 18, 2025

Destination: Milan

10Excellent

The staff handling car pick-up and drop-off at the rental company were very friendly and did not try to sell insurance or impose any extra charges. I would choose this rental company again if I travel to Italy in the future.

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Cara Garden

October 17, 2025

Destination: Rome

10Excellent

Overall very satisfied. I purchased the QEEQ full insurance, and there was no upselling at the rental company; they just handed over the keys for me to pick up the car. The car had some scratches and minor dents, but they did not affect normal driving. These issues were already noted at the counter when picking up the car, and there were no disagreements during the return process. There was only a minor issue: the day after picking up the car, the tire pressure warning light for the left rear tire came on. I contacted QEEQ, and they provided a solution and assisted in communicating with the rental company. Later, I drove to a nearby rental branch, where the staff briefly inspected the car and said it was fine to continue driving. Not wanting to disrupt my trip, I went on my way. However, the same fault warning reappeared. After a few days of driving, worried about a potential blowout due to tire pressure issues, I found a gas station with an air pump. I inspected and adjusted the tire pressure myself, changing it from the irregular values of 4/4/4/2.1 to the standard 2.5/2.5/2.5/2.5. The warning light finally turned off. However, on the day before returning the car, the same tire pressure warning came on again, meaning the left rear tire likely had a minor air leak. This experience pushed me to learn how to handle tire pressure issues myself—so, in a way, it was a small adventure.

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Una Coleridge

October 17, 2025

Destination: Naples

10Excellent

The two-day self-driving trip in Naples felt like a journey of 'small hiccups' mixed with 'great surprises.' Although picking up the car required walking about 1 kilometer through a few narrow alleys filled with the aroma of pizza, this minor hassle quickly vanished the moment I got behind the wheel – the car's performance exceeded all expectations. It offered powerful acceleration and agile handling, making it easy to navigate the narrow cobblestone streets of the old city or chase the sunset along the coastline.

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Atwood Walsh

October 17, 2025

Destination: Bologna

10Excellent

Very good.

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Anna Zechariah

October 17, 2025

Destination: Bologna

10Excellent

Very good. This time I drove to Nice without any issues.

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Debby Dierser

October 17, 2025

Destination: Rome

8Very good

Friendly attitude

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Hale Benson

October 17, 2025

Destination: Rome

10Excellent

This was an excellent car rental experience, completely different from the various negative reviews seen online.

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Isabel Grace

October 17, 2025

Destination: Palermo

8Very good

The desired car model was unavailable, but they provided a new car instead, which was quite nice.

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Bridget Moll

October 17, 2025

Destination: Milan

10Excellent

I booked a Peugeot 3008 but got an MG ZS instead. The car felt a bit small; fitting two 28-inch and one 24-inch suitcases was a bit tight, especially since my non-standard luggage is wider than usual (standard ones might fit lying down). Finding the car was straightforward, and returning it was also easy if you prepared well. We were over 20 minutes late returning the car, but there was no extra charge. There were no pushy sales tactics, the return inspection took only three minutes, and the process went smoothly. It's been over ten days since we returned home, and the deposit hasn't been charged, so overall, it was a pretty good experience.

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Eve Walpole

October 17, 2025

Destination: Rome

10Excellent

Clear signage, and they provided a hybrid car which was more fuel-efficient.

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Marcia McCarthy

October 16, 2025

Destination: Milan

10Excellent

Straightforward and clear.

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Aaron Ricardo

October 15, 2025

Destination: Naples

10Excellent

The pick-up and drop-off processes were quick, and the service was excellent.

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Vivien Pritt

October 14, 2025

Destination: Bari

10Excellent

When checking Google reviews, I noticed many people mentioned long waiting times to pick up a car at the airport. I arrived at the airport around 5:30, and fortunately, there was no queue. The staff checked my documents fairly quickly. After confirming everything, they directed me to a specific parking spot to pick up the car. The signs were large and easy to locate.

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Lynn Surrey

October 14, 2025

Destination: Palermo

8Very good

It's okay.

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Belle Lynch

October 14, 2025

Destination: Palermo

10Excellent

Very satisfied

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Dominic Palmer

October 14, 2025

Destination: Rome

8Very good

Rome Termini train station is likely a major transportation hub, and by 8:40 in the morning, there were already many people in line for car pickup. We waited an hour for our turn. They had complete Hague certification, but the service staff strangely insisted on an international driving permit, which surprised us. It was different from what we had researched before. However, the staff members who handled the pickup and drop-off were very kind, and the car was excellent. The trunk could fit two 24-inch suitcases, two 20-inch suitcases, and still had extra space.

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Borg Joyce

October 14, 2025

Destination: Venice

10Excellent

A brand-new car with 10,000 kilometers driven, no upselling, and both pick-up and return completed within 5 minutes.

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Quincy Lena

October 14, 2025

Destination: Venice

8Very good

Queue efficiency is average, the deposit is very high at 950 euros, and it hasn't been refunded yet.

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Jacob Jennings

October 14, 2025

Destination: Naples

8Very good

It's an established brand and pretty good. There were a lot of people, but everything was well-organized.

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Guy Haywood

October 14, 2025

Destination: Rome

10Excellent

Great review, everything went smoothly, the car was in good condition.

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Cora Hume

October 13, 2025

Destination: Milan

10Excellent

The counter is located within the airport and shared with several car rental companies; you need to take a number and wait in line.

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Best car rental deals in Italy

Best rates found by QEEQ users in the last 30 days.

Frequently asked questions

Q1.What is an insurance excess?

The excess is the amount you'll only be liable for in case of damage(under Collision Damage Waiver) or theft(under Theft Protection) of the vehicle.
Information about the excess will be clearly stated in the price inclusion when you reserve a car on QEEQ.

Q2. How can I add an addtional driver?

You are advised to make a request upon your arrival at the rental counter. Additional charge per day will incur unless '1 Additional Driver Included' is stipulated on the rental.
Please note that the same licence and age requirement applys to the additonal driver. The addtional driver is supposed to present the required licence document along with the main driver at pickup.

Q3.What if I want to pick up or drop off my rental car out of office hours?

QEEQ will show you the car offers available at your chosen time on the search results.
However, pick-up or drop-off out of general opening hours may subject to an extra fee unless self-service pick-up or drop-off is available.
After you reserve a car on QEEQ, we will inform you of specific policy of the car hire company by email.

Q4. Can I take the hired car to another country or cross border?

If you want to pick up your car in one country and drop it in another, your search results will show you cars you can do that with.
If you're planning to cross any borders during your trip, bear in mind:
1. You may have to pay more.
There are often extra fees, taxes or additional cover you'll pay at the car hire counter.
2.It may not be allowed.
Depending on where you're hiring, you may not be able to take your car to another country.
Please email us if you want to take your hire car into a different country during your trip, and we'll talk you through your options.

Q5. Can I pick up my car at one location and return it at different location?

Yes. You can pick up the vehicle in one place and drop it off in another. An ‘one-way fee’ will incur. Whether it is inclued in the rental price or what additional cost may arise will be clearly stated at the time of booking on QEEQ.
Please inform the car hire company of your drop-off location when you pick up the vehicle or contact them directly during your trip. You will find a phone number on the rental agreement you signed at pickup.

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