Parking signs in Rome

If you are planning to drive in Rome, you not only have to get used to the way they drive here but also understand what the parking signs are trying to say.

On Friday night, we went to Testaccio for dinner and were worried about parking as it’s a place which is known for it’s nightlife.  We found a place but unfortunately, there were illegal parking attendants showing you where you should park the car.  This gets us peeved because it’s a public parking area and these people decide they want to add value by showing you were there is a vacant parking space.  You are not obliged to give them a tip but if you don’t, you may risk seeing a damage car when you get back or not even a car at all.

Anyway, we decided not to park there and found street parking further away.  When we parked, I asked Luca if we have to pay for parking because most places don’t require you to pay for parking after 8pm.  We checked the sign and were a bit stumped but decided to pay for parking. What do you make of it? It was Friday evening at 8.30pm.  Would you have paid for parking?

Maybe that’s the key…they make it as confusing as possible so you pay anyway just not to risk getting a fine.  Silly me, what fine?  People double park, park in the curves, on sidewalks and we have seen it all- what fine am I talking about! Well, we did pay for the parking because that’s  just us.

So, driving in Rome is not just about the challenge of sharing the road with Roman drivers but also tests your ability to make out these signs.  Have fun!