Driving a motorhome in Italy

Motorways, tolls and vignettes

What a vignette is: in some European countries you buy a permit before using the motorways, now often digital and linked to the number plate, valid for a set period instead of paying at toll booths.

Almost all motorways are tolled and you pay at the booth, in cash, by card or with Telepass. There is no vignette.

The class depends on the number of axles and the height measured at the front axle: a two-axle motorhome taller than 1.30 m at that point pays class B, a three-axle one class 3.

Official website

Environmental sticker, ZTL and low emission zones

There is no national environmental sticker. Many historic centres are ZTL with camera gates: you may enter only with a permit, also with a foreign number plate, and the fine is sent to your home.

In the Po Valley regions (Lombardy, Piedmont, Veneto, Emilia-Romagna) there are restrictions for the most polluting vehicles, especially in winter; in Milan, Area B and Area C apply all year round.

Low emission zones in our data

6 zones, including: Area B, Area C, Delimitazione area urbana ai fini del contenimento delle emissioni delle PM10, Fascia Verde, Zona Verde Modena con limitazioni alla circolazione, ZTL Scudo Verde.

572 municipalities control access to their ZTL with electronic gates, according to the Ministry of Transport list: the pages of places in these towns show a notice.

Official website

Useful rules for motorhome travellers

Up to 3.5 t a motorhome has the same limits as a car: 130 km/h on motorways, 110 on main roads outside towns, 90 on other roads and 50 in towns. Over 3.5 t the limits drop to 100 on motorways and 80 outside towns.

Bike racks and loads sticking out at the back must be marked with the square red-and-white striped panel (50×50 cm).

From 15 November to 15 April, on the roads marked by signs, you need winter tyres or snow chains on board.

A motorhome may park wherever cars may; camping (tables, awning, levelling jacks) is only for equipped areas and campsites.