A repeat client recently told me as we were planning their Italy trip, “We want to rent a car, but I didn’t enjoy driving Italian autostrada last time with the aggressive drivers that would come up inches from my back bumper. We’ll stick to the country roads this time.”

I would break down driving in Italy into 3 categories: driving in cities (not recommended); driving in the countryside; and driving on the Italian autostrada (the major toll highways or motorways). If you’re planning to drive in Italy, here’s what any foreign traveler should know about the autostrade...