Should I rent a van or two vehicles?

A van of that size might require a special license, not sure
A van will be difficult to park and maneuver the small roads

Definitely 2 smaller cars!

Roads are much narrower and parking is very limited with small spaces in both Tuscany and Sicily.

Consider that some of the roads, and many,if not most, of the streets in Tuscany will be narrower than you would be accustomed to in North America. Plus parking for large vehicles will be hard to find. An 8 passenger van will be unlikely hold all of your luggage.

Don't forget that every driver must have an IDP in addition to their DL

You mean two vans, don't you? One to explore continental Italy and the other to roam around Sicily. I hope you are not going to drive from Tuscany to Reggio Calabria to load a rental van (or a car) on the Messina ferry.

No problems in driving a van Tuscany if you are an experienced driver.

Otoh, while driving a van in rural Sicily could be interesting, driving it in cities like Palermo and then parking it will a nightmare. And, unless you can all pack really light, you'd need a professional driving license to get a 9-seater.

You'd better google-image the ZTL sign before beginning your road trip.

Hmmm. Hard decision with this group. I would say, just on intuition from traveling with a large group, it kind of depends upon the type of accommodation you’ll have for parking spaces, how often you will all be together while traveling in the vehicle(s), how much luggage you will have, and cost. Will you drive from Tuscany to Sicily or rent at two separate locations? I have not driven in Italy and others on this Forum will likely be better help but you’ll need to give us a little more information to get better responses. Driving in Italian cities, I hear/read, is not for the faint of heart and you’ll need to be able to navigate tight parking spots and roadways.

I would be inclined to agree that two regular-size cars seem like the obvious choice if all eight are adults or teens (so no carseats involved) and there is at least one other person aged 25+ (because younger drivers cost more and/or sometimes are not allowed). Unless the fees are prohibitive, sign up all 25+ drivers on both cars to allow for maximum flexibility if the group wants to split up sometimes. Everyone still needs to pack light (or be prepared to hold their bag on their lap) because a typical five-passenger rental vehicle likely doesn't have room for four large suitcases.

I think it depends on the age groups. How many adults who are comfortable driving (taking shifts). If the Kids are really young? My niece always has some teenagers who can take care of the Littles. Italian Heritage, by the way. It also depends on the stress levels. If Grandma, secretly wants everyone she loves to just shut-up! Two cars/one car & one van could actually be more comfortable for everyone. You could set up rotating seating. Also vans sometimes are higher off the ground with an extra step. I have to haul myself up with a handhold! Also it would be nice to be able to go to different places because of interest! Some like history and museums, some like cooking lessons and food. Some like hiking and biking. Some like to people watch. Etc. Check the costs of rentals and insurance. Think of how many days you will actually need to be on the road. Have fun!

I hired a car in Sicily in March without an IDP without problems.

I would guess that someone from Preston (UK) would have a european standard format driving licence which doesn't need an IDP in Europe because the important bits are basically coded. Whereas some US driving licences aren't even accepted as ID for boarding aircraft in the USA.

On a standard format european licence 4b is when it expires, 9 is the vehicle groups it covers - and within that D includes a mini bus up to 16 passengers - which is the important bit because the rules changed in 1997 and since then a standard driving test doesn't cover class D. This point brings us back to the actual question. Because of the rule change nobody who took a standard european driving test after January 1997 is covered to drive anything bigger than driver+8 passengers - which means there is no market for bigger vehicles in normal rental fleets - which is why you don't see anything advertised as more than 9 seats, for bigger you'd need to be looking at commercial vehicle companies..

The rentals in Italy will be the same models available in UK with the steering wheel moved over. This forum's favourite scottish rental company (Celtic Legend) openly describes the 9 seaters as perfect for four golfers with clubs and luggage - meaning no chance for 8 with luggage. So two vehicles it will be. And that's before the issue of crossing the Strait of Messina...

And don't forget the child seat rules for the grandchildren.

Fitting in luggage for 8 in a single van will probably be difficult. And usually renting two regular vehicles is cheaper than hunting one large van, unless you find it a real special deal. However, parking for two vehicles will really add up. Good luck.

Thank you all for your replies. Two vehicle rentals that will be.

@ Catherine

Viable choice. Usually do it. 6 Adults and 2 grandchildren last time 2024. Leased 2 SUV Citroens for 7 weeks. Rome-Pisa-Parma-Udine-Slovenia-Venice-Tuscany-Abruzzo-Puglia-Sicily-Amalfi Coast-Rome.

While money is no object, leasing is for us the most convenient option and provides the best insurance options in the advent of a bingle. Seriously consider it as an option.

IDP is a perennial argument which I will not enter into because I only have a LL.M and many contributors trump me with Ph.D. in Laws. Just bloody well get them for the proposed drivers.

Your domestic rights transpire after leaving your border. So does Hubris.

I assume you and yours are competent drivers. Ample written evidence exists that many are not. I love driving in Italy. It is exhilarating and one of life’s great adventures unless one is a shrinking violet.

Other than language, the ferry crossing to Sicily is delightful and fun.

Regards

Ron

Silence is betrayal. Dr Martin Luther King Jr.

Two vehicles are generally just as cheap or cheaper to rent than one 8 pax van. They are also easier to negotiate the small streets and small parking spaces.

If it's 8 adults, tell everybody to go easy on the luggage. Luggage trunks are not that large. For 4 passengers and luggage you will need an SUV or a station wagon (aka estate car in the UK), so you need 2 of that size.

Kids under 12 need seat restraints (various requirements depending on age and size).

IDP in Italy is mandatory for anybody from outside the EU or the EEA.

UK is no longer part of the EU but they still do not need the IDP (I think the only exception is for those that still have an old paper license).