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Isle of Capri - Scooters

I see you can rent scooters on Isle of Capri and thought it might be a fun way to tour the island with only having the day to visit. My question is do I have to have an international driver's license to rent a scooter? I don't plan on renting a car during our trip so I hadn't planned on getting one.

Posted by
3551 posts

Whereever English is NOT the language of country have an international drivers license. I know for sure you will get heat from italian police if you are pulled over w/o it.

Posted by
524 posts

Kathy I would never recommend scooters in any destination. If you are not used to riding them and are unfamiliar with the controls, they can be very dangerous. In Capri, roads tend to be very narrow as the scrapes on many buses testify and are often bordered by a sheer drop to the sea. Sounds like a bad idea to me. I will be interested in what other posters have to say. Bobbie

Posted by
515 posts

I've scootered all over Rome (and Naples and the Amalfi Coast), many times. It is the very best way to see not only the main sites, but also the neighborhoods you would never think of visiting, in the hills miles away. Capri likely is the same. However, I scooter in the US, in a busy city. Italy is most definitely not a place to learn to drive. If you are a beginner, do not get near a scooter in Italy (or any anywhere in Europe) I never ever use it to go to dinner, because inevitably wine will be involved and there is no way you should be on a scooter after a drink, no matter how expert you may think you are. Take time to watch how the locals drive, the rules of engagement are very different there: Americans tend to zig when the Italians expect a zag. Know the traffic signage, know them well. Helmets? You betcha. They wear them and the cops expect the same. Have your insurance expanded to cover scooters, overseas, and I would never think of driving anything in Italy without an IDP (triple AAA sells them). Bottom line: stay off the scooter unless you are experienced and willing to learn to drive like a local.

Posted by
201 posts

I have my motorcycle license and have driven through busy cities but not for some time now. I would never have considered a scooter in busy places like Rome but never visiting Capri, I had this vision of quiet and easy roads to handle and now see how naiive I am. Thanks to everyone for setting me straight. I'll shelve the idea and enjoy walking and the bus.

Posted by
10 posts

You could get your Int'l license, and then decide when you get to Capri. We missed lots of it due to not being able to get around except by bus. Be sure to ride the gondola up to Mt. Solare!

Posted by
126 posts

Riding a rented scooter along the Amalfi coast was a highlight of our trip, even if I had minor heart attacks along the way. Just kidding. It was a pretty hairy ride (only for me) with all the windy roads and crazy Italian drivers, but my husband is experienced and I just held on tight. We covered a lot of territory and parking was a breeze. My husband showed his USA driver's license and his debit card. That was sufficient. Have fun!