Motorways (autostrade) are prefixed by the letter ‘A', and most have tolls; European roads by the letter ‘E' and state roads are prefixed by the letters ‘SS' (strada statale). Road signs are international and traffic drives on the right. 

Undimmed headlights are prohibited in towns and cities but are compulsory when passing through tunnels, and headlights must be switched on at all times on autostrade and strade statali. The minimum age for driving a car is 18 years, and the legal alcohol-to-blood ratio is 0.05%. Passengers are required by law to wear seat belts. 

Speed limits are 130kph (80mph) on motorways, 90/110kph (56/68mph) on country roads, and 50kph (30mph) in urban areas. Fines for speeding and other driving offences are on-the-spot and particularly heavy. All vehicles must carry a red warning triangle, available at border posts, and a yellow or orange reflective jacket (or two), which must be worn at night or in bad visibility if your car breaks down on a motorway. There is an on-the-spot fine for failing to wear it.

UK driving licences and EU pink-format licences are valid in Italy (UK green licences must be accompanied by an International Driving Permit) and a Green Card and motor insurance certificate are strongly recommended. A driving licence or a motorcycle driving licence is required for motorcycles over 49cc and the wearing of crash helmets is compulsory. Visitors should note that many petrol stations in town close between 1300 and 1500, though some now offer the self-service option payable by credit card.

The AA or RAC in Britain and the AAA in America have reciprocal agreements with the Automobile Club d'Italia (ACI) (tel: 06 491 115; www.aci.it), who provide a useful advisory service as well as dealing with breakdowns.

Emergency breakdown service: ACI (tel: 803 116).

Routes to the city: Rome is encircled by a network of motorways. The A12 leads into Rome from the west and the A24 from the east. Ciampino Airport is connected to the city by Via Appia Nuova (SS7). The A1 runs between Rome, Florence and Milan, while to reach Venice, drivers should turn off the A1 at Bologna and take the A13.

Driving times to Rome: From Florence - 2 hours 30 minutes; from Milan - 6 hours; and from Venice - 6 hours.

Coach services: Eurolines (tel: 06 6662 3156; www.eurolines.com) runs international coaches, with connections to cities throughout Europe, such as London (via Paris). Journeys are long and slow, but fares are cheap. There is no central coach station in Rome, so coaches depart and terminate in front of Tiburtina train station, Via Tiburtina (metro stop Tiburtina).