Before you rent a car for the Amalfi Coast in 2026, check one thing first: your license plate.
The Amalfi Coast uses an alternate license plate system on the SS163 Amalfitana, the famous coastal road between Vietri sul Mare and Positano. On certain dates, cars are restricted based on whether the last number of the license plate is odd or even. The rule applies from 10:00 to 18:00 when active.
Table of contents
- Quick answer
- Where the rule applies
- How the license plate rule works
- 2026 dates
- Who is exempt
- Rental car problem
- Better alternatives
- FAQ
Quick answer
In 2026, the Amalfi Coast alternate license plate rule applies on the SS163 Amalfitana, from Vietri sul Mare to Positano, during specific busy travel periods.
When the rule is active:
Even-numbered date = cars with plates ending in an even number cannot drive.
Odd-numbered date = cars with plates ending in an odd number cannot drive.
The restriction applies from 10:00 to 18:00. Motorcycles and scooters are not affected by the rule.
My honest advice: if this is your first Amalfi Coast trip, do not build the whole itinerary around a rental car in August or September.
Use ferries where possible. Use buses or taxis for hill towns like Ravello. Choose your base carefully. Save the car for places where it actually helps.
Where the rule applies
The restriction applies only to the SS163 Amalfitana.
This is the famous coastal road running from Vietri sul Mare to Positano. It passes through or near towns including Cetara, Maiori, Minori, Ravello, Atrani, Amalfi, Conca dei Marini, Furore and Praiano.
This detail matters.
Not every road in the area is affected. The official Amalfi Coast tourism district notes that alternative routes such as the Chiunzi Pass road and the SR366 Agerolina road are not included in the alternate plate restriction.
But for most visitors, SS163 is exactly the road they imagine when they say:
“Let’s drive the Amalfi Coast.”
The problem is that everyone else has the same idea.
The road is narrow, curved, beautiful and overloaded. It has to carry residents, buses, taxis, delivery vans, rental cars, scooters and tourists stopping at the worst possible place for a photo.
So yes, the drive is scenic.
It is also not always fun.
How the license plate rule works
The rule is based on the last number of the numeric part of your license plate.
When the restriction is active:
On even-numbered dates, cars with plates ending in an even number cannot drive.
On odd-numbered dates, cars with plates ending in an odd number cannot drive.
Example:
July 12 is an even date.
If your plate ends in 2, 4, 6, 8 or 0, you cannot drive on SS163 during the restricted hours.
Another example:
August 15 is an odd date.
If your plate ends in 1, 3, 5, 7 or 9, you cannot drive on SS163 during the restricted hours.
The active hours are:
10:00 to 18:00
Outside those hours, the alternate plate rule does not apply in the same way.
But be practical.
Driving before 10:00 or after 18:00 does not magically solve parking, narrow roads or summer traffic. It only means you avoid this specific rule.
2026 dates when restrictions apply
For 2026, the alternate license plate system applies during the busiest travel periods.
Easter period
Every day from March 30 to April 6, 2026.
Liberation Day and May Day period
Every day from April 25 to May 2, 2026.
Republic Day long weekend
May 30, May 31, June 1 and June 2, 2026.
June and July weekends
The rule applies on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from June 1 to July 31.
The listed dates are:
June 6–7
June 13–14
June 20–21
June 27–28
July 4–5
July 11–12
July 18–19
July 25–26
August and September
Every day from August 1 to August 31, 2026.
Every day from September 1 to September 30, 2026.
This is the big one.
If you are visiting in August or September with a rental car, assume this rule matters every day.
October weekends
The rule applies on October weekends and holidays:
October 3–4
October 10–11
October 17–18
October 24–25
October 31
These dates come from the official 2026 update published by the Amalfi Coast tourism district.
Rules can change. Before driving, check with your accommodation or the official local tourism office.
Who is exempt
Some vehicles and people are exempt.
The official guidance lists exemptions including:
Residents of the affected Amalfi Coast municipalities and Agerola
Vehicles serving disabled people with the correct permit and the permit holder on board
Taxis and NCC private hire vehicles
Emergency vehicles
Police
Motorcycles and scooters
Hotel and accommodation guests can usually drive to their accommodation on check-in day and leave on check-out day if they have a valid reservation. But this is only for arrival and departure. For normal sightseeing drives, visitors are still subject to the alternate plate rule.
That last part is important.
A hotel booking does not mean you can freely drive around the coast every day.
It means you can get in and out for check-in and check-out.
The rental car problem
Here is the trap nobody explains early enough.
When you book a rental car, you usually do not know the license plate number in advance.
You only see it when you pick up the car.
That means you cannot reliably plan:
Monday: drive from Positano to Amalfi
Tuesday: drive from Amalfi to Ravello
Wednesday: drive to Vietri sul Mare
Your plate may simply not be allowed on one of those days.
And if your whole itinerary depends on driving, the plan becomes fragile before the trip even starts.
This does not mean renting a car is always wrong.
It means renting a car for the Amalfi Coast in peak season is not the simple freedom move many travellers imagine.
On Google Maps, the towns look close.
On the road, everything feels slower.
Should you rent a car on the Amalfi Coast?
Sometimes, yes.
But not automatically.
Rent a car if:
You are travelling off-season
You are staying somewhere with guaranteed parking
You are confident on narrow Italian roads
You need the car for inland areas
You are not planning to drive SS163 every day
You understand the license plate rule before booking
Avoid renting a car if:
You are visiting in August or September
You are staying in Positano, Amalfi or Ravello without private parking
You are nervous on narrow roads
You mainly want to visit coastal towns
You want a relaxed first-time trip
You think short distance means easy travel
For many first-time visitors, a rental car feels like freedom during planning and becomes stress after arrival.
Parking is limited. Traffic is slow. The road is narrow. The rules are specific. And in the busiest months, one bad timing decision can waste half a day.
Better ways to move around
Ferry
When ferries are running, they are often the best way to move between coastal towns.
They avoid road traffic, give you the best views and remove the parking problem.
Travelmar lists sea connections to and from towns including Positano, Praiano, Amalfi, Atrani, Maiori, Minori, Cetara, Vietri sul Mare and Salerno.
Useful ferry routes include:
Salerno to Amalfi
Salerno to Positano
Amalfi to Positano
Amalfi to Maiori or Minori
Vietri sul Mare to Amalfi
The ferry is not just transport.
It is also the view people are trying to get from the road.
And you do not have to park the sea.
Bus
Buses are useful for places that do not have ferry access.
Most importantly: Ravello.
Ravello sits above the coast. There is no ferry port. Usually, you get to Amalfi first, then go up by bus, taxi or private transfer.
Use buses for:
Amalfi to Ravello
Amalfi to Bomerano
Praiano to Positano
Short local connections
The downside is obvious: buses can be crowded and uncomfortable in peak season.
Taxi or private transfer
Expensive, but useful.
Use a taxi or private transfer when:
You arrive with luggage
You are going up to Ravello
You have a dinner booking
You want zero stress for one important move
Do not use taxis as your whole transport strategy unless your budget is generous.
Scooter
Scooters and motorcycles are not affected by the alternate plate rule on SS163.
But that does not mean everyone should rent one.
A scooter can be brilliant if you are confident.
It can be a terrible idea if you are not.
The road is narrow. Buses are large. Corners are blind. Confidence matters.
A smarter 2026 route without relying on a car
For a first-time visitor, I would plan the Amalfi Coast like this.
Choose Amalfi or Salerno as a practical base
Choose Amalfi if you want to stay directly on the coast and have balanced access to Positano, Ravello, Atrani, Maiori and Minori.
Choose Salerno if you want better train access, better value and easy ferry connections into the coast.
Salerno is especially underrated if you care more about smooth logistics than Instagram status.
Use ferries for coastal towns
Plan ferry routes for:
Salerno to Amalfi
Amalfi to Positano
Amalfi to Maiori or Minori
Positano to Capri
Always check the timetable close to your travel date. Ferry schedules can change, and rough sea can affect service.
Use bus or taxi for Ravello
Get to Amalfi first. Then go up to Ravello.
Do not treat Ravello like a quick 20-minute photo stop. The whole point is to slow down: gardens, views, quiet streets, long lunch, no rush.
Walk where it makes sense
The easiest win:
Amalfi to Atrani.
It is short, beautiful and simple. This is exactly the kind of movement that makes the coast feel enjoyable instead of exhausting.
Do not overbuild the day
Bad plan:
Sorrento → Positano → Amalfi → Ravello → Minori → Salerno in one day.
Better plan:
Morning: Positano
Afternoon: Amalfi and Atrani
Evening: ferry back
The Amalfi Coast rewards people who leave breathing space.
FAQ
Can tourists drive the Amalfi Coast in 2026?
Yes, tourists can drive the Amalfi Coast in 2026, but the SS163 Amalfitana has alternate license plate restrictions on specific dates between spring and autumn. Check your plate number, date and route before driving.
What road has the driving restriction?
The rule applies to the SS163 Amalfitana, the coastal road from Vietri sul Mare to Positano.
What time does the rule apply?
When active, the rule applies from 10:00 to 18:00.
Are rental cars affected?
Yes. Rental cars are affected unless they fall under a specific exemption. The problem is that you usually do not know your rental car’s plate number until pickup.
Are hotel guests exempt?
Hotel and accommodation guests can usually drive to their accommodation on check-in day and leave on check-out day with a valid reservation. For normal sightseeing drives, the alternate plate rule still applies.
Are scooters affected?
No. Motorcycles and scooters are not affected by the SS163 alternate plate rule.
Is it better to visit the Amalfi Coast without a car?
For many first-time visitors, yes. Ferries, buses and occasional taxis are often easier than dealing with restricted driving days, narrow roads and parking.
What is the best base without a car?
Amalfi is one of the best bases directly on the coast. Salerno is a smart choice if you want trains, ferries, better value and easier arrival or departure.
Final advice
The Amalfi Coast is not hard to love.
It is hard to move around when you plan it like a normal road trip.
In 2026, the smart question is not:
Can I drive there?
The better question is:
Do I need to drive there?
Often, the answer is no.
And that answer might save your day.