Me and my wife plan to reach Florence at the end of this month and then drive to an agriturismo in Tuscany (near Montespertoli) and stay there for 4 days while exploring different areas by car. Request advice on the best and most agency from which to hire a car.
Thanks
Posted by
OP
66 posts
P.S. We want to pick up the car from a place close to the Santa Maria Novella Train station.
Posted by
Gettysburg PA
8612 posts
There are dozens of threads here discussing car rental pick ip in Florence. Look for posts by Roberto for directions how to exit and re enter Florence to avoid ZTLs.
We always book our cars thru AutoEurope.com
All drivers must have an IDP- required by law- get at your local AAA
Do your homework on driving in Italy- ZTLs, speed cameras, alcohol limitations, parking etc.
https://search.ricksteves.com/?button=&date_range=2y&filter=Travel+Forum&query=Car+rental+Florence+
Posted by
Seattle
71 posts
Would strongly recommend picking up/ dropping the car at the airport - driving in Florence is not recommended.
And folks say I must have an international driver's license - which I had and was never asked for in Italy or France.
Nice side hustle for AAA. But for $20----why not.
Posted by
Gettysburg PA
8612 posts
IDP is required by law
Some rental agencies do ask for it (Europcar did ask us last 2 rentals )
If you are stopped the police will ask for it and there are plenty of posts here mentioning random stops
See Roberto’s post near bottom of this thread
Without it you are technically driving illegally and probably voiding any insurance you may have
Fines are high if you don’t have and agencies can and do refuse rentals if you don’t have
It’s the law-that’s why
ETA
Looking at OPs previous posts it seems he is coming from India -so i assume IDP not needed for this poster
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
17050 posts
An IDP is required in Italy.
France does not require it.
https://www.europcar.com/en-us/faq?question=do-i-need-an-international-driving-license
Not having one in Italy subjects the driver to a minimum fine of 408€.
Whether the rental agent asks for it or not, is irrelevant. It is the police that wants to see it. The rental agent is not the one who has to pay the fine, it is the renter who drives.