Tolls are charged on the Autostrade.
Tickets are obtained upon entry to the expressway system and paid upon exiting. Tolls can be paid with cash or a Viacard. Motorists can purchase a 50,000 or 90,000 lire Viacard from toll booths, fuel stations, some banks, tourist offices, and tobacconists. Viacards are accepted on all routes except the A18 and A20. At automatic barriers, the card should be inserted into a slot on the controlling machine.
The lanes which accept credit cards are signed by the Viacard sign and by small icons of the various card companies and are usually the rightmost lanes. You do not have to sign a receipt when you use a credit card.
Personnel rather than machines do work certain lanes. And they're used to the machines and, especially, the drivers on the other lanes screwing things up.

The following tunnels connect Italy to Austria, France or Switzerland and require a toll.
- SS26D/A40-N205's (E25's) Mont Blanc Tunnel between Entrèves and Chamonix, France: 11.6 km long; 90­185FF for a car (depending on wheel base), 185FF for a car towing a trailer or caravan, and 90FF for a motorcycle. Special rates for those making the round trip within 72 hours.
- SS35/N6's (E70's) Frèjus Tunnel between Bardonecchia and Modane, France, is open all year: 12.8 km long; 90­185FF for a car (depending on wheel base); 185FF for a car towing a trailer or caravan; 90FF for a motorcycle. Minimum speed of 60 kph, maximum of 80 kph.
- SS27/A21's (E27 or E21's) Grand St. Bernard Tunnel runs between Aosta and Bourg St. Pierre, Switzerland, and is open all year: 6 km long; 27 SwF for a car, 27 SwF for a car towing a trailer or caravan, 56.5 SwF for a caravan, and 27 SwF for a motorcycle. Customs is on the Swiss side, where there's a fuel station, money exchange bureau, and restaurant.
- SS33-SS337/A9-A19's (E62's) Simplon rail tunnel service that runs from Domodossola to Brig, Switzerland, operates all year.

Tolls are charged on the following mountain passes.
- A22/A13's Brenner Pass to the Tyrol: AS 130 for car, van or caravan having up to 9 seats; AS 170 for a car towing a trailer or caravan; AS 100 for a motorcycle.
- SS44B/B186's Timmelsjoch Pass from Merano to Ötz, Austria: car single, AS 80; car return, AS 120; motorcycle single, AS 50; motorcycle return, AS 70. 2509 meters; closed from early October to late June; maximum grade is 14.3 percent, minimum width is 3.72 meters (12 ft.); very difficult; open only to private cars not towing trailers or caravans.

Non-toll Mountain Passes
Non-toll mountain passes tend to be much more difficult to negotiate than the passes which charge a toll. If you're driving a vehicle, such as a caravan, that's not allowed on or recommended for some of the following passes or if you wanna travel quickly across or through the mountains, a mountain pass or tunnel which charges a toll tends to be close by.
- SS12/B182's Brenner Pass, Bolzano to Innsbruck, Austria. 1375 meters; usually open in winter; tire chains are sometimes necessary in winter; maximum grade is 14.3 percent; minimum width is 6.2 meters (20 ft.); especially scenic; busiest transalpine pass; closed to vehicles towing anything but a luggage trailer; not recemmended for caravans.
- SS20/N204's Col de Tende Pass, Borgo San Dalmazzo to La Giandola, France. 1321 meters; usually open, but closed from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; maximum gradient 9 percent; minimum width is 5.58 meters (18 ft.); no caravans allowed in the winter.
- SS21/D900's Larche/Argentera Pass, Cuneo to Barcelonnette, France. 1994 meters; closed occasionally from December through March; maximum grade is 8.3 percent; minimum width is 3.1 meters (10 ft.); OK for caravans.
- SS23's Sestriere Pass, Cesana Torinese to Turin. 2032 meters; usually open; maximum grade is 10 percent; minimum width is 5 meters (16 ft.); especially scenic; OK for caravans.
- SS24/N94's Montgenevre Pass, Turin to Briançon, France. 1850 meters; usually open; maximum grade is 9 percent; minimum width is 5 meters (16 ft.); tire chains required in winter; especially scenic; OK for caravans.
- SS25/N6's Mt. Cenis Pass, Turin to Chambéry, France. 2083 meters; closed from early November to mid May; maximum grade is 12.5 percent; minimum width is 5 meters (16 ft.); OK for caravans.
- SS26/N90's Petit St. Bernard Pass, Aosta to Bourg-St.-Maurice, France. 2188 meters; closed from mid October to mid June; maximum grade is 8.3 percent; minimum width is 5 meters (16 ft.); no vehicles over 15 metric tons (15,000 kg); not recommended for caravans.
- SS27/A21's Great St. Bernard Pass, Aosta to Martigny, Switzerland. 2473 meters; closed from October through June; maximum grade is 10 percent; minimum width is 5 meters (16 ft.); chains may be necessary on approach; closed to vehicles towing another vehicle; not recommended for caravans.
- SS36's Splügen Pass, Chiavenna to Splügen, Switzerland. 2113 meters; closed from early November through June; maximum grade is 13.3 percent; minimum width is 3.1 meters (10 ft.); maximum vehicle height is 2.84 meters (9 feet 2 inches); maximum vehicle width is 2.32 meters (7.5 ft.); especially scenic; not recommended for caravans.
- SS38's Stelvio Pass, Bormio to Spondigna. 2756 meters; closed from October through late June; maximum grade is 12.5 percent; minimum width is 4 meters (13 ft.); especially scenic; no vehicles allowed that are over 9.3 meters (30 ft.); not recommended for caravans.
- SS38's Umbrail Pass, Bormio to Santa Maria, Switzerland. 2500 meters; closed from early November through early June; maximum grade is 9 percent; minimum width is 4.34 meters (14 ft.); no trailer or vehicles over 2.32 meters (7.5 ft.) wide; not recommended for caravans.
- SS39's Aprica Pass, Edolo to Tresenda. 1176 meters; usually open; maximum grade is 9 percent; minimum width is 4 meters (13 ft.); especially scenic; tire chains may be necessary; OK for caravans.
- SS40/B315's Resia Pass, Malles to Landeck, Austria. 1504 meters; usually open; maximum grade is 10 percent; minimum width is 6.2 meters (20 ft.); especially scenic; OK for caravans.
- SS42's Mendola Pass, Bolzano to Fondo. 1363 meters; usually open; maximum grade is 12.5 percent; minimum width is 5 meters (16 ft.); especially scenic; OK for caravans. SS42's Tonale Pass, Edolo to Bolzano. 1882 meters; usually open; maximum grade is 12.5 percent; minimum width is 5 meters (16 ft.); OK for caravans.
- SS44's Monte Giovo Pass, Merano to Vipiteno. 2094 meters; closed from November through May; maximum grade is 12.5 percent; minimum width is 4 meters (13 ft.); caravans not allowed.
- SS46's Fugazze Pass, Roberto to Vicenza. 1160 meters; usually open; maximum grade is 14.2 percent; minimum width is 3.1 meters (10 ft.); not recommended for caravans.
- SS48's Falzarego Pass, Ora to Cortina. 2117 meters; closed occasionally from December through April; maximum grade is 8.3 percent; minimum width is 5 meters (16 ft.); recommended for powerful cars only.
- SS48's Pordoi Pass, Arabba to Canazei. 2239 meters; closed occasionally from December through April; maximum grade is 10 percent; minimum width is 5 meters (16 ft.); especially scenic; not recommended for caravans.
- SS48's Tre Croci Pass, Cortina to Auronzo. 1809 meters; closed occasionally from December through March; maximum grade is 11 percent; minimum width is 5 meters (16 ft.); especially scenic; OK for caravans.
- SS50's Rolle Pass, Predazzo to Primiero. 1971 meters; closed occasionally from December through March; maximum grade is 9 percent; minimum width is 5 meters (16 ft.); especially scenic; OK for caravans.
- SS52's Mauria Pass, Pieve di Cadore to Piani. 1297 meters; usually open; maximum grade is 7 percent; minimum width is 5 meters (16 ft.); OK for caravans.
- SS52B/B110's Plöcken Pass, Tolmezzo to Kötschach-Mauthen, Austria. 1363 meters; occasionally closed fromDecember through April; maximum grade is 14.3 percent; minimum width is 4.8 meters (16 ft.) at border, expect delays resulting from heavy traffic on summer weekends; marginally negotiable by caravans.
- SS239's Campiglio Pass, Tione di Trento to Dimaro. 1682 meters; closed occasionally from December through March; maximum grade is 11.8 percent; especially scenic; OK for caravans.
- SS241's Costalunga Pass, Cortina to Bolzano. 1752 meters; closed occasionally from December through April; maximum grade is 14.3 percent; minimum width is 5 meters (16 ft.); especailly scenic; no caravans allowed.
- SS242's Sella Pass, Ortisei to Canazei. 2240 meters; closed occasionally from late November to early June; maximum grade is 11 percent; minimum width is 5 meters (16 ft.); especially scenic; not recommended for caravans.
- SS243's Gardena Pass, Cortina to Auronzo. 2121 meters; closed occasionally from December through June; maximum grade is 12.5 percent; minimum width is 5 meters (16 ft.); especially scenic; not recommended for caravans.
- SS244's Campologno Pass, Cortina to Auronzo. 1875 meters; closed occasionally from December through March; maximum grade is 12.5 percent; minimum width is 5 meters (16 ft.); especially scenic; OK for caravans.
- SS300's Gavia Pass, Bormio to Ponte di Legno. 2620 meters; closed from October through July; maximum grade is 18 percent; minimum width is 4.34 meters (14 ft.); especially scenic; not recommended for caravans.

Fuel stations along expressways are open 24 hours. Along other roads, fuel stations are open from 7:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. From May through September; from October through April the stations close at 7:00 p.m. Credit cards are always accepted. Only 25 percent of non-expressway fuel stations are open on Sunday and public holidays; those that are open on Sunday close on Monday.
Fuel stations displays "Aperto" sign if open or "Chiuso" sign if closed.
Some stations, however, have pumps that accept bills automatically 24 hours, they displays "Self-Service" or "24H" sign.
Fuel prices are partially regulated by the government and are very similar in different fuel stations, so don't waste time shopping around.
Super leaded gasoline has an octane rating of 98 or 100. Unleaded gasoline is called benzina senza piombo, or benzina verde and it's distinguished by green signs and pump. Unleaded super gasoline has an octane rating of 95. Diesel is called gasolio. LPG is called GPL (gas liquido). It's illegal to carry spare fuel.

Green road signs displays direction to Expressways, Blue road sings displays direction using normal roads.
Frequent signs:
 Centro città Town center

Entrata Entrance

Incrocio Crossroads
Lavori in corso Roadworks ahead
Parcheggio Parking ramp
Passaggio a livello Train crossing
Senso Vietato No entry
Sosta Autorizzata Parking allowed during times shown
Sosta Vietata No parking

Stazione Di Polizia Police station

Svolta Bend

Tutte le Direzioni All directions

Uscita Exit

Vietato Ingresso Veicoli No entry for vehicles
Vietato Transito Autocarri Closed to heavy vehicles.
Autostrade (toll expressways), superstrade (non-toll express highways), strade stratali (main roads), strade provinciali (secondary roads) and strade comunali (local roads) combine to offer efficient and interesting options for driving.
The word stazione indicates a train station.

The minimum age of a driver is 18 years. Children 4­12 years of age must use a special restraint.
The use of seat belts is compulsory both for front- and rear-seat passengers.
The legal blood alcohol limit is 80 mg.
Speed limits are as follows: 50 kph (30 mph) in built-up areas, 90 kph (55 mph) on secondary roads outside built-up areas, 110 kph (68 mph) on main roads outside built-up areas, and 130 kph (81 mph) on expressways.
On expressways, cars with engines smaller than 1090 cc and motorcycles with engines smaller than 150 cc are limited to 110 kph (68 mph).
Cars towing a caravan or trailer, and caravans over 12 tons, are limited to 70 kph (44 mph) outside built-up areas and to 80 kph (50 mph) on expressways.
Caravans between 3.5 and 12 tons are limited to 80 kph (50 mph) outside built-up areas, and to 100 kph (62 mph) on expressways.
Headlights are required from half an hour after sunset to half an hour before sunrise.
Headlights should also be used under bridges and in tunnels. Only use foglights in conditions of poor visibility.
Use of the horn is prohibited in built-up areas except in cases of immediate and extreme danger; at night flash your horns instead.
Outside built-up areas, however, you must use the horn to signal your intention to pass.
The middle lane of three-lane roads is for passing. Passing on the right is permitted when the driver ahead has signaled a left turn and has moved to the center of the road or when multiple lanes are traveling in your direction.
Anything hanging off the end of a vehicle, such as a bicycle, must be tagged with a reflective red and white striped sign 50 cm square.
The signs are sold at most automotive shops in Italy. You may be fined 100,000 lire if you fail to satisfy this requirement.
Police are empowered to revoke your license and to collect fines on the spot.
For foreign-registered vehicles, police can collect one-fourth of the maximum fine on the spot. If you contest the fine, you must deposit half the maximum amount in cash (foreign is OK) or in the form of a surety.
To thwart car theives, police are increasingly subjecting foreign-registered vehicles to spot checks. To pass such a check, operators must present vehicle and personal identification documents—including written permission from the owner if it's a borrowed vehicle. Vehicles which don't pass may be confiscated.

Generally, parking is on the right side of the road. Parking in a Blue Zone or Zona Disco is for limited time periods. Parking discs for these zones may be obtained at fuel stations, tourist offices, and motor club offices.
When parked in these zones from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Monday through Saturday (except holidays) your vehicle must display a parking disc.
Maximum parking time during these periods is one hour. Some cities also have Green Zones or Zona Verde where parking is prohibited from 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and from 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on weekdays. In Florence, all vehicles are banned from the city center from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on weekdays; visitors may enter the center in their vehicle during these times to load or unload but must then move on to park outside the center. In Rome a sign reading "zona tutelata" indicates that parking is prohibited from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on weekdays; punishment for violating this ordinance may include a prison sentence.
In Venice, parking is very difficult to find. Park instead at one of the mainland car parks; you can take a bus or ferry from there to the city.
The parking facility at Mestre, however, is a well-known haunt of thieves. In the Tronchetto garage, park on the left side, not on the right.
These mainland facilities are linked to the island by ferry and bus services. Naples (along with Seville, Spain) is Europe's most infamous lair of thieves. Furthermore, driving in Naples is notoriously difficult.

In high season it's best to arrive early in the day to get a spot in a popular campground. Free-camping is illegal without the appropriate permission, but it's quite tolerated regardless. Signs reading "Camper Service" or "Euro-Relais" indicate water and dumping facilities for motorhomes.

Open on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and from 2:45 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. ATM machines are available in main cities and popular tourist locations.

Open on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and from 3:30 or 4:00 p.m. to 7:30 or 8:00 p.m. Open until noon on Saturday.

Jan 1, Easter Mon; Apr 25; Labor Day; Aug 15; Nov 1; Dec 8, 25, 26

Along expressways tune up on FM 103.3 on IsoRadio channel, good Italian and international music and information about roads and traffic every 15 minutes. Some news are in English, French, Deutsch for foreign travellers. Local frequency changes are displayed on road signs along expressways.

Police, tel. 113 or 112; Fire, tel. 115; Ambulance, tel. 118.
The Automobile Club d'Italia (ACI), FIA and AIT member, Via Marsala 8, 00185 Rome, tel. 06 49921, office hours from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Monday through Saturday, operates a breakdown service on all roads, tel. 116.
This service offers free tows to visitors driving in Italy with foreign license plates or with a car rented at the Rome or Milan airports. Renters must show plane tickets and the rental contract to get the service free of charge. Another club is the Touring Club Italiano (TCI), AIT member, Corso Italia 10, 20122 Milan, tel. 02 85261, office hours from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on weekdays and from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday; tel. 8526263 for information on their breakdown service.

For every information about Expressways in Italy visit Autostrade web site