Scooters in Tuscan/Florence

If you are operating ANY motor vehicle on an Italian road, as a US citizen, you are supposed o have a translation of your US driver's license - which is what the International Driving Permit does. I doubt anyone at the scooter rental would ask to see it... but if you get stopped or have an accident, you'll certainly need it.

I believe there are separate licenses or certifications for motorcycles and for scooters in the US. I don't have either. Does this mean that to rent and ride a scooter in Italy I'll first have to be certified for one here?

I speak to you as a Vespa owner, and a long time touring cyclist with enormous hours of being the slowest thing on the road. If you do have experience with a scooter in the US, Italy is not the place to gain the experience. That is being foolish or, at least, make sure you have excellent health insurance that is effective in Italy. It is my understanding for Italy you need the IDP and a US license with a motorcycle endorsement.

My last time in Florence I was there for 2.5 days and saw three scooter crashes... I ride motorcycle here but its the wild west of two wheeled fun over there.

Well, it seemed like a nice idea, but it's been 40 years since I owned a motorcycle, and I've learned to be more sensible. Thanks for bringing me down to earth.

If you drive a motorino 125cc or less, you can do so with a car license - no motorcycle license necesary. If you drive a 150cc or larger you must have a valid motorcycle license, and an IDP certified for the motorcycle. (Another stamp from the AAA folks). In order to ride on Italian state highways, you are required to be on a 150cc bike or larger. To ride on the autostrade, you must have a 250cc or larger. Thus, you'll have to have a motorcycle license to ride on the toll roads. Most folks in the city are on 125cc bikes (or smaller). Our last two motorini were 125's and we could do about 70 mph - certainly fast enough to get killed on! We drove backroads (and some highways) throughout Italy. But we never attempted the GRA or the autostrade on a 125cc bike. You'll get run over. Also, because a motorcycle license is not required for the 50 or 100cc bikes, most people in Rome have never READ a motorcycle manual or certainly taken a motorccyle test. They've probably never even seen a manual or considered getting one! Years ago, you could drive a 50cc bike without ANY license. So the licensing requirements will be different depending on what you're riding - and where you're riding! You still will need an IDP as an American driving in Italy. And if they are going to make someone "toe-the-line," it will be the tourist!

Years ago my husband and I rented a moped in Jamaica and within 5 minutes, we hit a pothole, careened into a brick embankment at about 10 mph, and scraped up our feet pretty good (we were stupidly wearing Tevas) which required a visit to a doctor, tetanus shots, and a script for penicillin. Kept us out of the ocean the whole vacation. And traffic/other drivers had nothing to do with our mishap. I think your decision to rethink is a good one.

Robert forget the scooter your Moto Guzzi days are over. Italian drivers (of which I am one) perceive our national traffic laws as a loose set of guidelines. Rent a car and YES bring your International Drivers Permit because if the Carbinieri stop you the fine can be steep. Ciao!

AAA will issue the IDP for $15.00 plus you'll need two passport size photos.