Updated September 16, 2026 · 8 min read
Amalfi Coast driving restrictions in 2026 can completely change how you plan a rental-car trip. The famous SS163 coastal road uses an odd/even license plate system on selected dates, meaning your rental car may legally be unable to drive during the day.
You booked the flight, secured a cliffside hotel, and mapped out the perfect Italian road trip. But before you pick up the keys to your rental car, there is a specific local traffic law you need to understand. Local authorities use an automated system to heavily restrict who can drive on the coast based entirely on a single number on your car. Miss this detail, and a network of cameras will quietly mail a massive fine straight to your rental agency. Here is exactly how the system works in 2026, when it applies, and how to avoid ruining your travel budget.
Quick answer
Short on time? Here is the TL;DR for the 2026 Amalfi Coast driving rules:
The Catch: If you rent a car, you cannot choose your license plate number in advance, making planning nearly impossible.
The Rule: Access is determined by the last numerical digit of your car’s license plate.
Odd Plates (1, 3, 5, 7, 9): Cannot drive on odd-numbered calendar dates.
Even Plates (0, 2, 4, 6, 8): Cannot drive on even-numbered calendar dates.
The Hours: Restrictions are enforced strictly from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
Where Amalfi Coast driving restrictions apply
The restriction covers the SS163 Amalfitana. This is the famous, winding, two-lane highway that serves as the only main artery connecting the coastal towns.
The rule is enforced along the entire stretch of the SS163, from Vietri sul Mare in the east all the way to Positano in the west. Electronic gates and cameras are positioned at key entry points to scan plates as vehicles enter the coastal zone.
Amalfi Coast license plate restrictions in 2026: how the odd/even rule works
The Amalfi Coast license plate restrictions use the local targhe alterne (alternating plates) system. When the rule is active, whether you can drive the SS163 depends on the last numerical digit of your license plate and the calendar date.
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.
The cameras read the last numerical digit on your license plate, ignoring any letters. If you drive past a checkpoint during the restricted 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM window on a day you are banned, the system logs the infraction automatically. There are no toll booths to stop you, and no police officers to pull you over—the fine simply arrives later.
Key insight: Leaving a town to head back to your hotel also counts as driving on the SS163. If your plate is restricted that day, your car is essentially grounded between 10 AM and 6 PM.
Amalfi Coast driving restriction dates for 2026
The cameras are not turned on all year. They operate during peak tourist season and major Italian holidays. If you are driving the coast between March and October 2026, here is the exact enforcement calendar.
| Period | Restricted dates |
|---|---|
| Easter | March 30 – April 6, every day |
| Spring holidays | April 25 – May 2, every day |
| Republic Day period | May 30 – June 2, every day |
| June & July | Weekends: June 6–7, 13–14, 20–21, 27–28; July 4–5, 11–12, 18–19, 25–26 |
| August | August 1–31, every day |
| September | September 1–30, every day |
| October | October 3–4, 10–11, 17–18, 24–25 and October 31 |
Last checked: August 2026. These dates follow the official 2026 guidance published by the Distretto Turistico Costa d’Amalfi: official 2026 update published by the Amalfi Coast tourism district.
IMPORTANT: Rules can change. Before driving, check with your accommodation or the official local tourism office.
Who is exempt
The odd/even license plate rule has several official exemptions. You may drive during restricted hours if you fall into one of these categories:
Residents: Residents of the 13 Amalfi Coast municipalities plus Agerola.
Hotel and accommodation guests: Guests with a valid booking may drive when necessary to reach their accommodation on check-in day and leave on check-out day. The exemption does not cover normal day trips during the stay.
Disabled passengers: Vehicles carrying the holder of a valid disabled parking permit, with the permit holder on board.
Taxis and NCC private transfers: Licensed taxis and NCC vehicles are exempt.
Local workers: Non-resident employees with a valid employment contract in the 13 Amalfi Coast municipalities or Agerola may drive when necessary for work.
Non-resident property owners: Owners of homes in the 14 municipalities may qualify for an exemption, but must obtain authorization from the municipality where the property is located.
Emergency and police vehicles are also exempt.
The rental car problem
Many travelers assume rental cars get a free pass because tourism fuels the local economy. They do not.
When you rent a car at the Naples airport or Salerno train station, you cannot request a specific license plate number. It is completely random. If you are handed keys to a car with an even-numbered plate, and you planned a day trip to Ravello on August 2nd, your plans are dead in the water until 6:00 PM.
If you decide to risk it, the automated cameras will catch you. The local police mail the fine (typically starting around €150) to your rental agency. The agency will then pass the fine onto your credit card, along with their own “administrative processing fee” of €30 to €50 per infraction.
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Should you rent a car on the Amalfi Coast?
It is absolutely possible to rent a car and have an incredible trip—you just need a solid game plan. Driving gives you complete freedom to chase panoramas, stop at roadside fruit stands, and visit mountain towns like Ravello or Tramonti on your own schedule.
If you want the flexibility of your own wheels, here is how to master driving the coast without the stress:
- Book Your Parking First: This is rule number one. Never drive into towns like Positano or Amalfi hoping to find a spot. Only choose hotels that offer guaranteed on-site parking, and use private garages for day trips.
Checked your number plate? Now decide where the car actually goes. See our Amalfi Coast parking guide with current prices, garages and Google Maps links.
- Beat the 10:00 AM Clock: The traffic and the license plate rule both start at 10:00 AM. If you hit the road early for breakfast and a morning walk, you will enjoy empty roads and bypass the restrictions entirely.
- Rent a Compact Car: The cliffside roads are tight. Skip the mid-size SUV and opt for a high-quality compact or small automatic. It makes passing oncoming buses and squeezing into parking garages infinitely easier.
- Coordinate Your Days: The moment you pick up your rental, check the last digit of the license plate. If it’s even, plan your big driving days on odd calendar dates; if it’s odd, drive on even dates.
Better ways to move around
Instead of playing the license plate lottery, smart travelers skip the rental car entirely.
The Two-Wheel Loophole: Scooters and motorcycles are completely exempt from the targhe alterne rules. You can ride every single day, easily bypass stationary traffic, and park in designated two-wheeler spaces.
Scooters can be a brilliant way to move around the coast if you’re already comfortable riding. The SS163 is narrow and busy, so it’s best enjoyed by confident riders rather than first-timers.
Ferries: The absolute best way to travel between Amalfi Coast towns from April to October is by sea. Check the Amalfi Coast ferry timetable before planning your travel day, especially in July, August and September. It is faster, offers incredible views, and completely bypasses the highway rules.
Private Drivers: Licensed NCC (Noleggio Con Conducente) vehicles are exempt from the alternating-plate restriction. They can remove much of the logistical stress of driving the coast, although separate local traffic and ZTL rules still apply.
Frequently asked questions about Amalfi Coast driving restrictions
We know the logistics of the Amalfi Coast can feel like a puzzle. To help you finalize your itinerary, we have answered the most common questions travelers are asking this year—from avoiding traffic fines to picking the perfect base town.
What is the difference between the License Plate Rule and a ZTL?
The odd/even licence-plate rule applies to the SS163 coastal road and can affect ordinary rental cars on restricted dates. Positano’s ZTL is a separate local system covering Via Pasitea, Piazza dei Mulini and Via Cristoforo Colombo. Under the current 2026 municipal guide, paid ZTL registration applies to vehicles with six or more seats including the driver and qualifying buses; normal five-seat passenger cars are not listed among the paid categories.
Driving to Positano? The local ZTL is a separate system from the SS163 licence-plate restrictions. See our Positano ZTL 2026 guide for vehicle rules, parking and what rental-car drivers actually need to know.
Is it safe to drive the Amalfi Coast?
Yes, but the SS163 deserves your full attention. It is narrow, busy and full of blind bends, buses, scooters and pedestrians, so calm, defensive driving matters much more here than speed.
Official ACI data for 2024 lists the SS163 Amalfitana among Italian road stretches with a relatively high density of fatal crashes. Across the 40.17 km section analysed, fatal crashes represented 5.5% of injury crashes, and the fatal-crash density was higher than in both 2023 and 2019.
For wider context, the Province of Salerno recorded 2,553 injury crashes in 2023, with distracted driving, failure to respect signs and speed among the leading recorded causes. Those figures cover the whole province, not just the Amalfi Coast.
What are the Amalfi Coast driving restrictions in 2026?
The main restriction on the SS163 Amalfitana is an odd/even license plate system used on selected busy dates. When the rule is active, cars with plates ending in the same odd/even number as the calendar date cannot use the restricted section between 10:00 and 18:00. In simple terms: on an odd date, odd-numbered plates are restricted; on an even date, even-numbered plates are restricted.
Do the Amalfi Coast driving restrictions apply to rental cars?
Yes. Rental cars are not automatically exempt. The rule follows the last digit of the vehicle’s license plate, so you may only discover whether your car works with your itinerary when you collect it. If you are renting specifically for the Amalfi Coast, check the plate before leaving the rental office and compare it with the dates you plan to drive.
Can I drive the Amalfi Coast before 10:00 or after 18:00?
Yes. The SS163 odd/even plate restriction applies during its active periods from 10:00 to 18:00. Outside those hours, this particular license plate rule does not prevent you from driving the coastal road. Leaving early can also mean significantly calmer traffic in peak season.
Are hotel guests exempt from the license plate rule?
There is an important exception for visitors staying at registered accommodation on the Amalfi Coast. Guests may generally reach their accommodation on check-in day and leave on check-out day even when their plate would otherwise be restricted, provided they can show a valid reservation. This does not mean hotel guests can freely drive the coast throughout their stay, and separate restrictions may apply around the Sorrento Peninsula.
Are scooters and motorcycles affected by the Amalfi Coast plate restrictions?
No. Motorcycles and scooters are exempt from the SS163 odd/even license plate restriction. That makes two wheels one possible alternative during restricted periods, although local ZTLs and other traffic rules still apply independently.
What should I do if my rental car is restricted on the day I want to drive?
The easiest solution is usually to change the timing rather than the whole trip. Drive the SS163 before 10:00 or after 18:00, use a ferry or bus during the restricted hours, or arrange a private transfer. If your plans involve several Amalfi Coast towns during peak season, relying on a car every day can quickly become more complicated than useful.
Should you drive the Amalfi Coast in 2026?
There is no “wrong” way to see the coast, provided you plan for the local logistics. Here is how to pick the option that matches your travel style:
- The Rental Car (For Independence): Perfect if you want to explore mountain villages or travel in the off-season.
- The Strategy: Plan your driving around the 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM restriction window. Always confirm your hotel has guaranteed parking before booking, and treat the odd/even plate rule as a simple scheduling puzzle.
- The Ferry (For Stress-Free Views): The best way to hop between major towns like Positano and Amalfi.
- The Strategy: It bypasses all road traffic and parking fees. It’s the most relaxing way to travel, but check timetables in advance and book ahead during peak season.
- Private Drivers (For Luxury & Ease): Ideal for airport transfers or special days out.
- The Strategy: Drivers have permits that exempt them from most traffic rules and ZTLs. It is the ultimate “hands-off” experience if you prefer to skip the navigation entirely.
- Scooters (For the Confident Rider): The ultimate “cheat code” to avoid traffic and parking gridlock.
- The Strategy: They are exempt from license plate rules, but only rent one if you are a highly experienced rider. The SS163 is narrow, winding, and demands your full attention.
Getting around the Amalfi Coast at a glance
Pick the transport that fits the day — you do not need to use the same option for your whole trip.
The bottom line: drive the coast, but let the road set the rhythm
Driving the Amalfi Coast can still be one of the best parts of the trip. You get the freedom to stop at a viewpoint when the light is perfect, pull into a small bar for coffee, reach hillside villages that are awkward by ferry, and keep going long after the day-trippers have started heading home. The trick is not trying to use the car like you would in a normal city.
If you are staying inland or higher up the coast, a rental car can be genuinely useful. Choose a compact car, reserve parking before entering Positano or Amalfi, and check the final digit of your licence plate against the restriction calendar as soon as you collect the keys. If your plate is restricted that day, plan around it: drive before 10:00, wait until after 18:00, or leave the car parked and use a ferry or SITA bus for the middle of the day.
A useful local-style approach is to avoid fighting the coast. The road is often at its nicest early in the morning or later in the evening, when traffic thins and the drive starts feeling scenic again rather than technical. If you have the flexibility, use those quieter hours for the SS163 and save the busiest part of the day for lunch, a swim or exploring one town on foot.
That is really the best way to approach Amalfi Coast driving in 2026: check the plate, know the active hours, book the parking, keep a ferry or bus as Plan B, and stay flexible. Do that, and the restrictions stop feeling like a problem and become just another small part of planning the coast well.
I spent 28 years on the Amalfi Coast. I write AmalfiMap to share the beaches, roads, restaurants and small practical details I would tell a friend before they came here. More about Marco →
Keep planning your Amalfi Coast trip
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