As in the rest of continental Europe, vehicles travel on the right and overtake on the left.
Italy uses international road signs. Motorways signs are indicated by the letter "A" followed by a number written in white on a green background. They are subject to tolls, except south of Salerno and Bari. You can check traffic forecast on motorways on www.autostrade.it/autostrade/previsioniEsodo.do.
Lights: Use of dipped headlights during the day is compulsory outside built-up areas and during snow and rain / poor visibility. Rear fog lights may only be used when visibility is less than 50 metres or in case of strong rain or intense snow. Use of dipped headlights during the day compulsory on all roads for motorcycles. Wearing of crash helmets compulsory for both driver and passenger. The vehicle can be seized for non-compliance. The minimum age of a pillion is 18. In built up areas the use of the horn is prohibited except in cases of immediate danger.
Lanes: On three-lane roads, the middle lane is reserved for overtaking, which must always be signalled in advance with the directional signal that must be kept on while overtaking. In towns or city traffic on roads with three lanes or on roads with three or more lanes in each direction, cars are allowed to move in parallel rows. No U-turns are permitted and stopping is permitted only in emergency parking areas or parking lanes. A breakdown service (telephone number 116) is available from the Automobile Club Italia (ACI) throughout the country. Calls for help on the motorways can be made from the emergency positions, located every 2 km, 24 hours a day.
Wheel chains: Important for any winter motoring. In the area of Val D'Aosta, vehicles must be equipped with winter tyres or snow chains from 1 October until 15 April.
Tolls are levied on the majority of motorways. Tolls can normally be paid through the following methods:
 In Cash
 Credit Cards: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Diners Club are accepted.
 By Telepass, a kind of transponder for frequent drivers.
Pay attention to choose the right lane at the toll station: if you wish to pay in cash, follow the white signs, if you wish to pay by credit card, follow the blue signs. Lanes with yellow signs are reserved for Telepass users.
Service stations are very frequent along all of the motorways. They are always open, and in addition to fuel, provide service such as toilets, restaurants, bars, information offices and cashpoint.
For further information you can contact :
UK: Automobile Association www.theaa.co.uk Republic of Ireland: AA Ireland www.aaireland.ie Italy: Automobile Club d'Italia www.aci.it

PETROL
Almost all the service stations in the country are equipped with pumps for lead-free (95 octane) and diesel fuel. The fuel distribution network for gas-propelled vehicles is reasonably developed, (ask for information at the ACI - Automobile Club Italia offices). Service stations are generally open from 6:30 or 7 am to 12:30 or 1 pm and from 3 pm to 7:30 pm. Service is guaranteed 24 hours a day on the motorways. Automatic pumps function in the evenings and at night. By law it is possible to carry petrol only in iron cans.
Cost of petrol (April 2008): Unleaded (senza piombo) approximately €1.39 per litre. Diesel approximately €1.38. Gas approximately € 0.67.
Please note that there are still many petrol stations in Italy that do not accept credit cards.