How to buy a used car in Italy for a one year stay

See Roninrome.com and perhaps contact him directly.

No need to obtain an Italian Driver's License for a year. That requirement is valid only if you intend to reside there over one year.

You need to take your home state license + an International Drivers' Permit (IDP), which is basically a translation of your license (you can get one at AAA for $15 and 2 passport photos). The IDP is valid for one year, therefore make sure that AAA dates the validity period starting the first day you need it in Italy.

No hurdles for using a leased car anywhere. However some companies place restrictions on taking a leased car to Eastern Europe due to the high incidence of theft.

You can buy a car.

In order to register it in your name if you are a resident in Italy you need your passport and the "permesso di soggiorno" (permit of stay).

If you are not a resident in Italy you can still buy a car and register it under the EE (Escursionisti Esteri) license plate.

Either way I suggest to go to an agency that does this type of bureaucratic paperwork, especially if you do not speak Italian. To find one such agency go to the yellow pages (www.paginegialle.it) then enter in the search box: "AGENZIA PRATICHE AUTO" or also "AGENZIA PRATICHE AUTOMOBILISTICHE", and the city where you want to establish your residence.

Roberto I am so appreciative of the information!!! It is challenging to find all the correct information on all the variables on living in Italy for a year! I am keeping a journal of the process and the humorous stumbles I made at the beginning. I don't think the average American even knows what the Schengen is. I have had so many people ask "Is that in Sweden?"

What an adventure this is going to be!!!

Any other advice or tips you have would be greatly appreciated!!

I'm embarking on this Life Sabbatical after losing my terrific father in February. He inspires me to go for it. "Life is not a dress rehearsal, daughter. Don't think you get a second chance. So go and don't look back. Keep your eye on the present and your heart believing in the future. Savor the best of your memories. Let all the rest go."

Cheers to my incredible dad for giving me the confidence to live my dream!!!

i personally would be interested in keeping up with your experiences, whether in a form of a blog or trip report. Could you keep us apprised as to how we can follow you?

I will be creating a blog .... haven't done it yet as I am still in the process of "shutting off" my life here in Texas.

Still have a few things to complete before I confirm my departure date and get that last minute "Pet Passport"! (An entirely different process than the Visa D!)
I've learned more in the last two months about traveling in Europe than in my previous 58 years and 7 trips. Most Americans have no idea what Schengen is .... most people have asked me "Is that in Sweden?" I started out very naïve about this whole dream trip ....
Have already met some very kind people through the research process on web sites, blogs and home rental sites. Feels like I already know people in several places on my journey!
Thanks! I really appreciate the input!
TxGirl

Your father sounded like a wise and loving man. Enjoy your adventure!

Let us know when your blog is set up. Your father sounds like a great person, excellent advice!

Consider some time in Matera and in Sicilia as well.

I think that a blog beginning with the process of shutting down your life in Texas would be most interesting. And, I'd love to follow your European adventure, so I hope you'll share your blog when you do set it up. You're living my dream!

You should be very proud of such a wise father.

Due to having to take care of an elderly mother from 6000 miles away and having family interests in Italy, I have a lot of knowledge about Italian law and bureaucracy, from health care, to immigration law, to social security, to tax law. I don't know everything and I rely a lot on my family there and old business school friends who now take care of my interests and represent me in Italy. However I can certainly point you to the right direction for whatever needs. I sometimes feel I live simultaneously in two countries and I don't think people can possibly realize how challenging that is.

Txgirl,

"Life is not a dress rehearsal, daughter. Don't think you get a second chance. So go and don't look back. Keep your eye on the present and your heart believing in the future. Savor the best of your memories. Let all the rest go."

I love your father's wise words to you!

Wishing you the best on your life sabbatical!

Thank you. My father and I were not close until he needed me and I was a fortunate that we became best friends during his last two years. He made me laugh, cry and dream again.

I'm hoping to write a book. His words have me the kick start to go on this Life Sabbatical. I wish I had taken him and my mom on an adventure before it was too late. Unknown he will be smiling with that great twinkle in his eyes every time I raise a glass and salute him!!!

have you tried to find a sympathetic ear at the US embassy/consulate in Rome? In the old days you'd have to bang out phone calls, but nowadays we have the wonder of the internet and email.

Or google around looking for expat forums, I've seen them for various countries. You're not the first or last to wonder about such things.

txgirl,

I was a fortunate that we became best friends during his last two years. He made me laugh, cry and dream again.

It's good that you became best friends, even if just for a couple of years... I'm sure you have wonderful memories which you'll treasure for a lifetime!

It sounds like you have a great attitude & you will have a great adventure in Europe!

Rick has suggested that areas near US Military bases can be a common place to buy used cars in Europe. The earlier recommend van & motor home link may still be useful to you for general advice.

I love what your Dad said. May I please pass those wonderful words of wisdom and advice on to my own children and grandchildren? You were lucky to have had such an astute, enlightened and loving Dad. Along with others who have replied here, you are living my dream, too.

It would honor my dad very much if his words were passed on to others. I have written it on the bottom of his picture at age 19 in the Air Force in his leather helmet and leather flight jacket. He didn't complete flight training after an inner ear issue. He continued to fly single engine aircraft until his vision started to fail in his 70's. He was a dentist in the US Navy for 33 years. Hauled us all over the world. I loved it!!

He was 85 when he passed on to watch over me.