Sicily Car Rental - AutoEurope or Kemwel

AutoEurope and Kemwel are part of the same corporate group after a merger a few years ago. Sometimes you might find a difference in price options, so you might want to check both. The staff that answers the phone is the same, and the two work exactly the same, so the two are totally interchangeable now so they are equally reputable. You could even call the AutoEurope number and refer to the Kemwel deal you might have seen in the Kemwel webpage. Maybe one day they’ll probably have only one website instead of two. But yes, check both, then get the best deal. A couple of years ago I got the Kemwel deal but when I received the confirmation it was on the AutoEurope heading in the PDF.

YES. You will need BOTH your valid license from your State AND the International Driving Permit, which is just an official translation of your State license.

In most instances the car rental agency desk won’t ask you for the IDP, since they see American licenses often enough. However art. 135 of the Italian Vehicle Code requires an IDP (or official notarized translation), along with your valid license, for anybody with a license not issued by a EU State or other non EU European country part of a list (for example Switzerland or UK). As such, even though the rental agency will likely not ask for it, however you could potentially be pulled over by the police (or be involved in an accident) and be asked for it. Note that art. 135 also states that failure of carrying an IDP will result in a fine ranging from €408 to €1634. Since obtaining an IDP requires just minutes and about $25 at any AAA, I don’t think it’s a risk worth taking. Go ahead and get one. If you live in Alameda there is an AAA office right as you come out of the Webster tube coming from Oakland. AAA offices can also take your photos for an additional small fee, if you don’t have them. You can also download the form and compile it at home from the AAA website, to save additional minutes during the AAA office visit.

One more thing. If you commit an infraction for which the Italian Vehicle Code requires the seizing of your license (for example driving drunk, or exceeding the speed limit by over 40 km/h), the police will seize both your California State license and the IDP, and you can obtain your license back by asking the Prefect after 15 days, or earlier only if you declare to leave the country. Therefore drive carefully and don’t commit egregious violations.

Before driving in Italy become familiar with the international road sign system
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Road_signs_in_Italy

Learn about the Limited Traffic Zones (ZTL) in the historical city centers
https://www.autoeurope.com/italy-ztl-zones/

If you are on a highway, be aware that the left lane is not for cruising. The LEFT lane is PASSING LANE only (after passing a vehicle you must return to the right lanes). You can overtake a vehicle only from the left (no going around the right using the slow lane like we can do in America).

Also on a RED LIGHT you can NEVER turn right (like we can in the US). You can proceed only with a green light.

The last two items above are something I sometimes forget when I go back to Italy to visit. I sometimes catch myself going through a red light to turn right. So far no tickets fortunately, but a lot of honking from the Italian drivers who quickly alert me of my distracted driving.

Fortunately most traffic lights have been replaced by roundabouts, so you won’t go through too many lights. However, if you are not familiar with roundabouts, practice before you go, you will have to drive through plenty of those. I don’t think there are any in Alameda yet, but there are a few in Hayward, including near the Hayward Costco.
Eden Shores Blvd
https://goo.gl/maps/2LM7YeGunKJ3gU237