Scooter Rental

First question, Jean -
Do you have extensive experience with Vespa driving in the middle of very busy (!!!!) cities? If not, I'd rethink this plan. Rome traffic is crazy...as I'm sure you know as I see that you've been there. There are Vespa tours where you get to sit behind an experienced local driver if those are of interest? This company has been mentioned several times. To my knowledge they don't rent to individuals for just driving around but they do mention that if you have experience, you can drive yourself on one of their organized tours.

https://scooteroma.com

My son has a lot of experience driving one all over Europe; I'll be the passenger so back to my question; recommendations please.

Jean

recommendations please.

Don’t do it, it’s deadly.

We're doing it; recommendations please...
Jean

lol that was an entirely predictable reaction to your question!

I don't have any recommendations but I can see some very highly rated businesses on Google Maps, which you've probably already seen.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/1bLEurYbu4tNdGws9 - My Scooter Rent in Rome (5 stars, 415 reviews)

https://maps.app.goo.gl/EyuEaR37PWgBorMZ9 - Roma Rent Scooter (4.8 stars, 310 reviews)

I'm sure you and your son are both adults who can assess risk for themselves :)

Sorry Jean and thanks for the additional info. The forums see the scooter rental question quite often from posters with no prior, or little prior, experience, thus the concern! I'd also done a search of forum history for specific mentions of rental companies for indy operation and only came up with one, from 9 years ago:

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/we-rented-a-scooter-in-rome-had-a-great-time-and-lived-to-tell-the-tale

This may have been the company they used although the name isn't exactly the same and location isn't really "just off Via Veneto":
https://www.myscooterentinrome.it/en/home_en/
Reviews:
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g187791-d6931582-Reviews-My_Scooter_Rent_in_Rome-Rome_Lazio.html

Sorry that I don't have personal experience to offer.

Still deadly whatever you think.

Deadly, but like a scene from La Dolce Vita. Worth it :)

No personal experience, so have no specific company to recommend. If you already have booked a lodging, perhaps ask them?

A question did come to mind, what do you plan to do with your helmet while you are at a destination doing tourist stuff?

The one time I had a rental car in Italy, and therefore had to pay attention to '2 wheelers', I noted the only 2 "Rules of the Road" they complied with was wearing a helmet and Stop signs/red lights.

Thank you all; especially the positive ones; GerryM; I emailed the hotel after posting my questions and they replied just before you recommending Roma Rent Scooter...so I've contacted them.

The recommendations on this site were very positive and apparently a lot of people do rent these scooters. I have a bad back which limits my walking somewhat...I have also booked a golf cart tour with a driver but to do that more than 3-4 hours becomes very expensive so a scooter will help out a lot!

Jean

Cool!

I'm sure you and your son know it's risky, but what the hell. It sounds like it could potentially be a ton of fun. I'm very much into vibing as opposed to sightseeing in cities and renting a scooter in Rome falls firmly into the vibing category I'd say.

Joe, if you've got one helmet, it stores under the seat. If you're going pillion and have two helmets, maybe would pay to request a bike with a topbox for the second helmet if you don't want to carry it.

You mentioned being the "passenger". Just be aware that more than one person per scooter is illegal in Rome. It's fine on a Vespa.

Ah you've made an edit.

When we're talking about scooter we mean Vespa. Vespa is a brand name of Piaggio, an Italian manufacturer of scooters.

Can anyone tell me what the liability insurance coverage amount on scooter rentals in Rome is (they state coverage but not the amount) and also can you buy Collision Damage Coverage with zero deductible and again how much.
Thanks,
Jean

info on Liability limits--
https://www.ivass.it/sdg/copertura-assicurativa/index.html?com.dotmarketing.htmlpage.language=3&dotcache=refresh

Info on what constitutes a motor vehicle--
https://www.loc.gov/item/global-legal-monitor/2024-01-28/italy-mandatory-civil-liability-insurance-for-motor-vehicles-expanded/

Ask the rental company what they charge to have zero deductible CDW

good insurance to have, but as a former biker my great goal was always to not have even the minorest collision with anything - I'm not a MotoGP rider. Leathers are good but look awful after a scrape.

Go to Google Maps, zoom on Rome, enter on the search box: NOLEGGIO VESPE.
Then click on the ones near your accommodations and check the ratings and prices on their websites. They should be at least 65€ a day..
Many streets are forbidden to all motor vehicles, including motorcycles, others are reserved to residents with permit, others to public transit and taxicabs only, so I hope your experienced son knows how to read Italian road signs and not get lots of tickets. Traffic restrictions are enforced by camera only.