requirement for an international driver's license?

Rahul, can you tell us where you are intending to travel in Italy? So far you've only listed a few cities in your previous posts, and you do not need or want a car OR motorcycle/vespa in any of them: more headache than help. Nor would I drive a motorcycle/vespa in the cities unless one has considerable prior experience with them.

Trains are usually the fastest, most efficient way to get from city to city as they dump you out in the middle without having to figure out no-drive zones (read about ZTLs if you haven't already).

I am so sorry for being unclear. We were visiting the Amalfi coast for 2 days and hence contemplating hiring a scooter there.

Rahul

I don't know how complicated it will be to get an IDP in India. In the U.S., they can be acquired at AAA offices, which are everywhere. Nonetheless, I advise you just to do it. The problem is not getting the rental. It's that random stops by various law enforcement agents are not uncommon in Italy. It's happened to us twice. The first time was in the Dolomites, and I think it was an effort to prevent stolen cars from going toward the east. The second time was in Tuscany, and who knows what they were about. Neither time did the officers speak English, so it was good that I had the IDP, which translates your license into 10 languages. I think Italy may be one of the countries that requires an IDP, so if you get stopped and don't have it, you would be letting yourself in for a world of trouble.

Rahul,

To answer your question..... YES, you do need an International Driver's Permit for driving in Italy. You may never be asked for it, but that's the law.

One point to clarify is that it's not a license but rather a permit which must be used in conjunction with your home DL.

As someone else mentioned, it would help to know where you'll be travelling on the Amalfi coast, as you may not need a car.

If driving anywhere in Italy you'll also have to be vigilant to avoid the dreaded ZTL areas and automated speed cameras (hefty fines)!

We were visiting the Amalfi coast for 2 days and hence contemplating
hiring a scooter there.

Honestly? If you have little-to-no prior experience with a Vespa/scooter, I don't think the Amalfi Coast, during high season, is a good place for the novice but others may have a different opinion.

Rahul

I have never been to India, but if what I have seen on TV of traffic in cities in India is a true reflection of the reality, then driving the Amalfi coast will "feel like home", provided you are a regular scooter/vespa user at home in heavy city traffic.

Otherwise, the Amalfi coast is not a place to learn how to ride a scooter/vespa in heavy traffic.

A car for "getting around" on the Amalfi coast is a hindrance

I don't recommend renting a car on the Amalfi Coast in July. It's peak season, the traffic is very congested and finding parking is very difficult and/or expensive. Also, being from India, I don't know if you are familiar with driving on the right side of the road, which is the standard in continental Europe. Using the boats, which have regular service in July, is probably the best (buses are also affected by the traffic).

Renting a Vespa would be my choice, but I grew up on two wheelers in Italy (even my dad had one and took me around as a kid). If you are not experienced riding motorcycles/scooters, I don't recommend it for you there.

Just got back from the Amalfi coast, I don't think a car would be awful except for parking. However, the scooter/vespa/motorcycle traffic is unreal. Never seen anything like it, especially on the Sorrento side (not Amalfi Coast, I know) but it's madness. It's a free for all, zero traffic legislation and/or rules followed. No stops, no lights, pass on both sides or the sidewalk. 2 to 5 wide, anywhere they can fit. Seems like a death wish to me, though it was fun as hell to watch and witness.