How to drive your car in Rome? [Full Rome ZTL map for Cars]

Next time you drive in Rome, you’re going to see Limited Traffic Zones (ZTL in the local acronym). ZTLs are several regions, most of them in the historical center, where there are heavy traffic restrictions. By having fewer motor vehicles in those regions, it is possible to protect the historical structures, as well as lower air and sound pollution.

As you can see, planning your transportation in advance is important. Large groups, for example, can benefit from a charter bus Rome, a service that moves them around the city with plenty of room and safety without making you worry about ZTL restrictions.

In this article, we’re going to take a detailed look at those regions, which rules apply, and how they might affect your trip.

Rome ZTL for cars

You can access a ZTL through specific streets. Those streets will always have signs warning you of the new traffic conditions and of what times they are active – some of them are only active for a period of the day. This is extremely important because, if you enter a ZTL without having the necessary permit, you will be fined.

By the way, you should keep in mind that using a car rental Rome won’t be an easy way out of those fines; ZTL entrances have cameras to photograph all cars that come through and their license plates, so you will be eventually found. Then again, renting a car from a trusted company is still a comfortable way to drive in Rome.

Now that we’ve learned the basics of the ZTLs in Rome, let’s check out how those zones work for cars. Each of them has its own rules to follow:

All the ZTL in Rome for cars

ZTL Historical center

Daytime operating hours (except on public holidays):

Motorcycles and electric vehicles can circulate freely” as the last line of the topic.

ZTL Tridente (A1)

Operating hours (except on public holidays):

Nighttime operating hours (except on public holidays):

ZTL Trastevere

Daytime operating hours (except on public holidays):

Nighttime operating hours:

ZTL San Lorenzo

This is a special ZTL: it is only active at night and varies according to the time of the year.

ZTL Testaccio

Traffic regulations only apply to this ZTL at nighttime:

ZTL Fascia Verde

This ZTL is much larger than the others and bans older vehicles in order to lower atmospheric pollution in the central region. In other words, the ZTL Fascia Verde is active 24/7 even for residents according to the following rules:

Mopeds, microcars and motorcycles From November 1st to March 31st of each year

ZTL Railway Ring in Rome

This much larger zone expands on Fascia Verde’s restrictions:

Goods delivery and VAM

Traffic regulations only apply to this ZTL at nighttime:

Mopeds, microcars and motorcycles Goods delivery restrictions.

How to obtain permits?

After learning all those details about the ZTLs in Rome, it’s time to cover permits. In other words, the official ways in which you can buy permits to legally enter a ZTL without any fines.

For non-residents, there is a Transit permit category. It allows you to enter a ZTL and drive freely within its territory but not park on the street – you will have to find a private parking garage. The only exception is for school buses, which may park in front of the academic institution only for students to board and leave the vehicle.

Fully electric vehicles can also circulate freely in the ZTLs. On the other hand, Euro 3 and earlier vehicles are banned from them.

It is possible to issue only one permit per vehicle and parking space available (or one per student in case of a school bus). Yearly permits are valid for one year for regular users, and until the end of the school year for school buses.

For trucks, this permit has the following cost: For cars, the cost depends on the engine displacement: