Renting scooters

Assumed you are experienced riders. You need the IDP along with a driver license with a motorcycle endorsement. Go to RoninRome.com for a section on renting scooters in Rome and elsewhere.

Thanks Frank! Robin, Frank is dead-on (perhaps a poor choice of words...). If you're an experienced rider, Rome is challenging but doable. This IS NOT the place to learn to ride a scooter. It's just not the same as in the movies! Even experienced US motorcycle riders can get intimidated by the Roman-style of "motorino-driving." (Of course, Naples is an entirely different experience... I get a little intimidated riding a motorino in Naples!) There are different license limits, depending primarily on the size of the bike you'll ride. And the size of the bike also limits where you can drive - like a 250cc or above to drive on an autostrada. In Rome, many bikes are 125cc and less, because for those sized motorini you DO NOT need a motorcycle license. No, as a local, your automobile license is all that is necessary for that sized bike. As a visitor, by law - as Frank mentions - you will need an International Driving Permit - IDP and your valid US driver's license. I doubt anyone will ever ask to see your IDP. But if you have an incidente, or get stopped by the police at a random traffic stop - as I have a few times - you'll be glad you have one. Many locals drive these 125cc sized bikes - or smaller. Thus, many have never seen, read, or care about a motorcycle instruction manual. So the "rules of the road" dictate policy, not any manual. We enjoyed riding our motorini but it's not without some hazards. Combined, my wife and I have probably been in 6-7 accidents - NONE our fault. Fortunately, we've escaped with cuts, bumps, and some serious bruises. Our worst incident occurred in front of St. Peter's Basilica about midnight when we hit a 25 meter oil slick. Friends we know in Rome have not been as lucky.

So again, this IS NOT like riding a scooter on a Caribbean island. It's a no-holds-barred driving experience. I enjoyed the "challenge" - my wife not so much although she drove daily to and from work. After our last incidente, sliding 75 feet on oily cobblestone near St. Peter's, she was a little leery to get back on the bike. She did get thrown about 25 feet off the back of the bike, cracking her helmet. You certainly don't want to spend your vacation in an Italian hospital. And I would not recommend renting unless you know a little about Rome AND you've have motorcycle experience. The learning curve here has to be so quick. That said, many people do rent motorini. It's a wonderful experience if you can pull it off. I probably miss driving our motorino more than any other experience in Rome - my wife says I'm nuts - or an adrenaline junkie. Here are two more articles - with video and pictures - of driving a motorino in Rome: Riding a Scooter in Rome and Videos of Us Riding a Scooter in Rome. Note, most of these videos were shot on Sundays when there is far less traffic. My wife learned to drive our heavy, 400+ lb. motorino early on Sunday mornings - when no one is out! Of course, 5 PM on Sundays is the WORST time in the summer to be on a bike as everyone is coming back from the beach, lakes, etc. This posting, heading to Lake Bracciano, has a video showing us driving in the countryside. Much more fun out there! We often traveled to the beach or lake by motorino (So it seemed did half of Rome!). It was not unusual to stop at a red light coming home from the beach and soon be surrounded by 50-60 other bikes heading into town.

Thankyou for your honest reply. I was actually thinking of renting a scooter somewhere near San Gimignano to use in the countryside, not in the big cities. I don't want to rent a car from Florence and plan on riding the bus or train. I was just looking for something to get around Tuscany. I posted for information for bicycles as well. I think I will have to stick to the local buses as everyone seems to think I'll get flattened by some crazy drivers on the road!

I have done exactly that several times, riding in the Tuscan countryside, and it is one of my favorite things to do in Europe. It is like Italy on your own terms in the open with absolutely no crowds on these country roads. I have rented from San Gim, Siena, and Montalcino and it was the first time I was ever on a scooter. Get a good map, stay out of the big cities, and stay on the small roads and you will be fine. I would recommend 100 to 125 cc as a good size. No special license is needed. My favorite route is renting from Siena and going immediately outside of the city a bit north in Chianti and then east toward Asciano and then down to the Monastero Monte Oliveto where you can actually stay the night. Silent at night. Next mornng to Montalcino, south a bit to Sant'Antimo Abbey. Then to Montepulcino via Pienza with lots of stops along the way, with long lunches and gelati at the proper rate; this is the most scenic part of Toscana, IMO and taking some roads north and south of Pienza is fantastic. The only tough part is going back to Siena, making sure you stay on the small roads as long as you can but that is what makes it great. You have most of the roads to yourself.

FYI - I have rented at both of these places. Siena has a decent price for 2 days for 125cc (I recommend that size - it even had better gas mileage than the 50 cc for some reason) Siena scooter: http://www.perozzi.it/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=13&Itemid=5&lang=en San Gimignano scooter: http://www.bellinibruno.com/rental-sangimignano/rental-scooter/rental-scooter.htm

Please take a Motorcycle Safety Foundation course. You will have a lot of fun, learn a new skill and get your motorcycle endorsement. With this knowledge you will be better able to evaluate the risks involved and be more confident on two wheels.