I Took a Road Trip Abroad. Here’s What I Wish I Had Known First.

Imagine this driving nightmare: It’s 10 p.m., you’ve just landed in a foreign city, confusing traffic signs surround you, and suddenly you’re wedged in a narrow alley not meant for cars as headlights approach. Now you have to maneuver your way out.

Experiences like getting stuck in narrow alleys—like I did during my recent trip to Sicily—are just a glimpse of the challenges even the most experienced drivers might face. If you're gearing up for a road trip abroad and want to minimize anxiety, save time, and steer clear of penalties, follow the essential steps outlined below. While I’m using Italy as an example, these tips are applicable to any country you visit.

Find Out What Type of Driver’s License or Permit You’ll Need

You might require an international driver’s permit. Check the U.S. embassy website for the specific country, or look at the International Drivers Association list for over 150 nations that require this permit. Only one organization handles these requests for U.S. citizens: AAA (the permit is also valid for motorcycle licenses). Unfortunately, you can’t obtain the international permit online or via email; you must visit a local office in person. Other countries are unable to issue this permit to U.S. citizens directly.

Familiarize Yourself with the Various Car Rental Options

Compact cars are ideal for navigating Sicily’s tight streets. However, I needed enough room for four passengers and their luggage. The intermediate SUV I thought would be the perfect fit turned out to be inadequate, so we switched to an Audi station wagon—long but not excessively wide or tall. We could make this change thanks to the rental agency’s options. It's wise to research what your country's rental agencies provide and determine if you’ll need a four-wheel drive for rugged, steep country roads. (And remember, never leave valuables visible in the car, as this can attract thieves.)

Know the Different Insurance Options and Their Processes

Most U.S. insurance providers (like Geico) don’t cover driving outside the U.S. except in Canada or Mexico. Certain credit cards, such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve, may offer some protection, but they might exclude coverage for tire and windshield damage, even if collision and theft are included. I chose to get comprehensive coverage from a third-party provider, Rentalcover.com, which included everything with a $0 deductible.

When you pick up your rental car, take plenty of pictures from all angles, capturing any scratches, dents, and imperfections. You don’t want to be billed for existing damage. Upon returning my car after a 12-day trip, I showed Budget that the scratch they flagged was already there when I rented it. Having photographic proof saved me from a potential headache and extra charges.

Understand the Age Requirements of the Car Rental Company Before You Arrive

Some agencies have minimum age limits, which could be 18, 21, or 25. Many companies impose additional daily fees for drivers under 25, while some may restrict rentals for those over 75. Keep in mind that adding extra drivers may raise the overall rental cost.

Don’t Assume You Know How to Refuel

I was caught off guard to learn that gasolio actually refers to diesel fuel in Italian, while benzina means regular gasoline. Additionally, some gas stations may not accept American credit cards, so it's wise to carry sufficient local cash. Gas stations may not operate around the clock, and in some areas, they can be few and far between. The general guideline is to refuel when your tank drops below half full, as it might be a while before you find another station.

Have a Navigation Strategy Ready, Including GPS, a Co-Pilot, and Offline Maps

Choosing the right exit can be a challenge without a GPS providing directions or a navigation buddy riding shotgun. Your phone might work, but be sure to have a robust international data plan. However, Google Maps can often lead you astray; it misrepresented my location in Taormina and caused us to get stuck in a loop in Ortigia. Be ready to abandon the digital route and rely on street signs instead. One option is to download maps in advance for offline access when connectivity is lacking.

Familiarize Yourself with Road Signs and Keep Exact Change for Tolls

Don’t assume that traffic signs—those puzzling shapes and colors—will be easy to understand. In smaller towns, I kept misinterpreting signs that appeared to signal a “moustache ahead,” when they were actually warnings for speed bumps. I also struggled to remember whether a large “X” indicated no parking or no stopping—two very different rules. The essential signs to recognize include speed limits, no entry, yield, right of way, merging lanes, no passing, and parking. I printed out these signs to keep in my car.

Toll booths may not be as straightforward as those in the U.S. Credit cards might not work, so it’s crucial to carry cash at all times, including small change.

Identify Limited Traffic Zones When Planning Your Route and Avoid Them While Driving

Many travel destinations have city centers with restricted access. In Italy, a prominent red circle marks these areas, known as ZTLs (zona a Traffico Limitato), where only residents can drive. Cameras throughout the city monitor violations and automatically issue fines, which are eventually sent to you via your rental company. The rules can vary based on time of day or season, and you won't find out about any fines until you're back in the U.S. While real-time navigation apps like Waze might identify traffic zones in some cities, it's unwise to rely on them entirely.

Understand the Driving Culture of Your Destination

In Italy, drivers are notorious for disregarding stop signs, lanes, and speed limits. Tailgating is common, even if it might rattle you. Motorcyclists and scooter riders weave through traffic, often just inches from your vehicle. Local driving can be aggressive. I found myself using eye contact more than turn signals and took time to grasp Italy's honking customs; for instance, a quick beep while navigating sharp turns alerts oncoming traffic of your presence.

Watch Driving Instruction Videos on YouTube and Consider Tripiamo’s Online Courses for Cities They Cover

You can discover plenty of helpful tips on YouTube, often paired with engaging personal stories. However, you may also encounter many redundant and overly lengthy videos. Instead, I opted for a newer service called Tripiamo, which provides high-quality, immersive tutorials on topics like roundabouts, parking, and scooters, along with 360-degree “driving tours” to practice on highways and local streets. Courses are priced at US$39.99 per country and come with PDFs summarizing rules, signs, emergency info, and useful phrases for driving in France, Italy, Spain, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Ireland.

Master Essential Phrases and Use the Google Translate App for Assistance

Familiarize yourself with the following key terms: open, closed, stop, one-way, exit, gas, diesel, parking, left, right, straight, north, south, east, west, directions, toll, and—most importantly—where is? I relied on Google Translate to communicate with a pharmacist when my wife needed motion sickness medication and to ask for directions from a gas station attendant. You can display the Italian translation on your phone or play the correctly pronounced audio file.

Be Ready for the Unexpected

No matter how meticulously you plan and execute your trip, expect to encounter obstacles—sometimes even literal ones.