The Amalfi Coast is 50 kilometers of the most dramatic coastal road in the world. Cliffs drop hundreds of meters into turquoise water. Villages cling to mountainsides. And the road is barely wide enough for two cars to pass. It is extraordinary, terrifying, and absolutely worth it — provided you settle the paperwork question before you reach the rental counter.
IDP Rules in Italy
Italian law does not require an International Driving Permit for a short tourist stay, and EU/EEA licences are accepted exactly as they are. The rule that actually catches people out is not a traffic law at all: hire companies often make an IDP one of their own contract conditions, and a counter agent enforcing company policy has no interest in your reading of the statute.
Italy accepts the 1968 Vienna Convention IDP. Read the terms on your booking before you fly, because the condition varies between companies and between branches of the same company. Where it applies, present the IDP alongside your domestic license at the counter.
Recommended, not required. Not demanded by law for a short tourist stay, and EU/EEA licences are accepted as they are. Hire companies often require one under their own terms. Italy accepts the 1968 Vienna Convention format.
The Amalfi Coast Route
Sorrento to Positano (16 km). The opening stretch is already spectacular. Tight hairpin turns with views over the Gulf of Salerno. Drive slowly and use your horn at blind corners, as locals do.
Positano to Amalfi (18 km). This is the iconic section. The road is carved into cliffs with tunnels, tight squeezes past buses, and pull-off viewpoints that are worth every stop.
Amalfi to Ravello. The detour up to Ravello takes you above the coast for panoramic views. The road is steep and narrow, but the gardens and vistas at the top are unforgettable.
Driving Tips for the Amalfi Coast
Rent a small car. A Fiat 500 or similar compact is ideal. Anything larger than a mid-size sedan will struggle with the narrow passages and tight parking.
Start early. The road gets clogged with tour buses from 10 AM onward. Starting your drive at 7 or 8 AM means emptier roads and better photo stops without crowds.
Use mirrors at blind corners. Many of the tightest corners have convex mirrors mounted on poles. Use them. Oncoming traffic appears without warning otherwise.
Parking in Positano and Amalfi town is extremely limited and expensive. Consider parking at Sorrento (more available, cheaper) and using the SITA bus for the coastal towns, then driving the route separately for the views.
ZTL Zones: The Trap for Tourists
Italian cities have ZTL (Zona Traffico Limitato) restricted zones. Cameras photograph every car entering, and fines are mailed to the rental company months later. Amalfi town has a ZTL. Positano has restricted access periods. Your GPS will not warn you. Watch for ZTL signs (white circle with red border) and do not enter.
1. IDP (1968 Vienna Convention) if your rental terms ask for one. 2. Small rental car. 3. Early morning departure. 4. ZTL zone awareness. 5. Horn at blind corners. 6. Offline maps downloaded. 7. Cash for parking meters.
The Amalfi Coast drive is on every road trip bucket list for good reason. A small car, an early start, and paperwork that satisfies your rental contract are all you need to experience it properly.