Car Rental in Positano (2026) - Driving Guide & Best Rates
Explore Positano's scenic coastal roads at your own pace with convenient car rentals, find the perfect vehicle to navigate the Amalfi Coast's impressive.
Driving Requirements
For short-term visitors, a valid foreign driver's license is generally accepted. However, an International Driving Permit (IDP) is legally required if your license is not in Italian or does not use the Roman alphabet (e.g., licenses in Japanese, Arabic, Cyrillic). The IDP is a certified translation and must be carried with your original license.
The legal minimum driving age in Italy is 18. However, rental company policies vary significantly. While some companies may rent to drivers aged III, many have higher minimum age requirements (often 21 or 25) and may charge a 'young driver' surcharge for those under 25.
By Italian law, a minimum level of third-party liability insurance is mandatory for all vehicles on the road. Rental contracts automatically include this. Companies typically offer additional Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or Theft Protection, which are optional but highly recommended for financial protection.
Rental companies universally require a primary renter's credit card in their name for the security deposit hold. The amount varies by company and vehicle class. Debit cards or cash are typically not accepted for the deposit. The hold is released upon the vehicle's return, assuming no damages.
Drive on the right. A major rule that surprises visitors is the 'right-of-way' priority at unmarked intersections: vehicles entering from the right generally have priority. Right turns on red are prohibited unless a specific green arrow signal permits it. Be prepared for narrow, winding roads and limited parking in Positano.
Helpful Tips
Renting at Naples International Airport (NAP) offers more vehicle selection and competitive rates. But driving to Positano involves navigating the winding, narrow Amalfi Coast roads, whereas renting in Sorrento or a nearby town reduces this initial challenging drive.
Always perform a meticulous pre-rental inspection with the agent, photographing all existing damage, and confirm your rental includes Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) and Theft Protection, as third-party liability insurance is mandatory in Italy.
Use Google Maps or Waze for reliable navigation. But always download offline maps for the Campania region due to frequent signal loss on coastal cliffs and in mountain tunnels.
Most rental cars in Italy use unleaded gasoline (benzina senza piombo) or diesel; fuel stations are sparse on the Amalfi Coast itself, so refuel when you see one, and rental companies universally require a full-to-full fuel return policy.
Parking in Positano is extremely limited and expensive. For overnight stays, book a hotel with guaranteed parking or use a paid private lot (parcheggio) on the town's outskirts, as street parking is virtually non-existent and zones are strictly enforced.
Driving Warnings
The SS163 Amalfi Drive has a ZTL (Limited Traffic Zone) with camera enforcement. Driving without a permit results in automatic fines mailed to your rental company.
On narrow coastal roads like Via Cristoforo Colombo, local traffic has de facto right-of-way when backing up is impossible, regardless of official rules.
Parking is prohibited in marked yellow zones along Via Pasitea. Police tow vehicles immediately, and retrieval requires paying fines at the municipal office.
From October to April, heavy rain can cause rockfalls on SS163; driving during storms is discouraged, and chains or winter tires are legally required if snow is forecast.