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Cross-border route

Italy Vatican City

Driving across the border

Yes — you can drive from Italy into Vatican City: carry a certified IDP translation of your licence alongside the original so border officials and rental desks can read your credentials. An IDP is recommended in Vatican City and especially expected if your licence is not printed in the Roman alphabet, prepared in the internationally recognised format. Both countries drive on the right, so there is no change of driving side at the border. Plan your border crossing in advance and keep your passport, national licence and IDP together.

Get my permit for Vatican City Vatican City requirements

Last reviewed July 2026

Route at a glance

FromItaly

ToVatican City

IDP in Vatican CityRecommended

Accepted formatLocal rules

Driving sideright (no change)

Currency in Vatican CityEUR

Emergency number112 (Italian network)

Top speed limit30 km/h (effectively pedestrian)

Italy → Vatican City

Crossing the border

Italy and Vatican City share a land border you can cross by car. Keep your passport, national driving licence and International Driving Permit together, and check opening hours and any toll or vignette requirements before you travel.

Driving rules in Vatican City

Drive on the right.
Effectively pedestrian within the walls.
Italian rules apply on surrounding roads.
0.05% alcohol limit (Italian standard).

Once you're driving in Vatican City

Destination-specific detail sourced from national road authorities, motoring clubs and rental policies — the things that catch cross-border drivers out.

Driving on a foreign licence

Vatican City is a walled enclave with no public roads open to tourist traffic, so visitors arrive on foot; any driving access is governed by the surrounding Italian rules, where EU licences are valid and non-EU drivers should carry an IDP with their home licence.

Tolls & road charges

There are no tolls within the city-state; you only encounter Italy's autostrada tolls (Telepass or cash/card barriers) when driving toward Rome.

Parking in the cities

No tourist parking exists inside the Vatican; park in nearby Rome garages such as Garage San Pietro or the Vatican Museums lot (around EUR 20/day) and walk in.

Fines & camera enforcement

Because tourists drive in surrounding Italy, Italian penalties apply: speeding fines start around EUR 40-170 and rise with severity, handheld phone use and no seatbelt are fined, and ZTL camera fines plus rental admin fees arrive by post.

If you have an accident

For any incident at the edge of the enclave call Italy's 112; in Italy you exchange details on a CAI/European Accident Statement and must not move vehicles before documenting if there are injuries.

Driving in the capital

The streets immediately around St Peter's and the Borgo fall inside Rome's camera-enforced ZTL limited-traffic zone, where unauthorised entry triggers automatic fines of roughly EUR 100-500 sent later via the rental firm.

Sources: vaticancityguide.org · autoeurope.com · blog.stayromac.com · drivingdirectionsandmaps.com

Common questions

Do I need an International Driving Permit to drive from Italy to Vatican City?

An IDP is strongly recommended for Vatican City and often requested if your national licence is not printed in the Roman alphabet. Vatican City recognises the internationally recognised format, which is the format your certified IDP translation is prepared in.

Does the driving side change between Italy and Vatican City?

No. Both Italy and Vatican City drive on the right.

What is the emergency number and speed limit in Vatican City?

In Vatican City, dial 112 (Italian network) for emergencies; 112 also works from most GSM phones. The maximum for cars on the fastest road class is 30 km/h (effectively pedestrian), but posted limits in towns and on secondary roads are lower and always take precedence.

How do tolls and road charges work in Vatican City?

There are no tolls within the city-state; you only encounter Italy's autostrada tolls (Telepass or cash/card barriers) when driving toward Rome.

How quickly can I get an IDP for this trip?

International Driver Licence issues your digital IDP in as fast as 8 minutes, so you can have it ready before you set off.