If you're picking up a rental car in Italy this winter and heading towards the Alps, the Dolomites, or any of the country's mountain regions, there's one thing you need to sort before you set off - winter traction equipment. Not because the roads are necessarily treacherous, but because Italian law requires it, and because conditions in the mountains can change faster than a weather app can keep up with.
At Hertz, we've taken that off your plate. Snow socks are now offered as standard in addition to your rental rate when you hire a car in Italy throughout the winter season. They will already be in the car when you collect it. Here's what they are, how to use them, and why they matter.
What are Snow Socks?
Snow socks are textile covers that fit over your tyres to increase grip on snow and ice. They work by creating high-friction fabric contact with the road surface, rather than the metal-on-road bite of traditional steel chains. They're TUV-certified, legally recognised as an approved traction device in Italy and across Europe, and significantly easier to fit than chains - particularly if you're not used to dealing with winter road conditions.
They're compact enough to store in the boot without taking up much space, and when you need them, the fitting process takes just a few minutes. When you hire a car in Italy through Hertz during winter, you will get snow socks which you need to put on the tyres.
How to Fit Them
Before you book your car and get the snow socks with it, watch this short video. It walks you through the full process clearly and is worth a few minutes of your time before you're standing on a mountain roadside trying to figure it out.
The steps in brief:
- Fit the snow socks on the drive wheels only -- front axle for front-wheel-drive vehicles, rear axle for rear-wheel-drive vehicles
- Place the elastic band over the top of the tyre and pull it as far around the front and sides as possible
- Move the car forward about half a metre to expose the section of tyre that was touching the ground
- Finish securing the sock evenly and snugly all the way around
- Repeat on the other drive wheel
Once fitted, keep your speed to no more than 30 mph (50 km/h), and use them only on snow or ice. Remember not to use them on bare roads, as dry asphalt will damage them quickly. So, remove them as soon as the road clears.
Why You Need Them in Italy
Italy's Highway Code (Legislative Decree no. 285/1992, as amended by Law no. 120/2010) requires vehicles to carry snow chains or approved winter traction equipment on roads displaying the relevant signage. The obligation runs from 15 November to 15 April nationally, but some regions go further:
- Valle d'Aosta -- mandatory from 15 November to 15 April
- South Tyrol (Bolzano) and the Brenner Motorway (A22) -- required throughout 15 November to 15 April, regardless of actual weather on the day
- Individual provinces can apply additional local rules on top
From November 2024, tyres carrying only the M+S (Mud and Snow) marking ( without the three-peak mountain snowflake (3PMSF) symbol) must also be accompanied by snow chains on certain routes. Non-compliance carries fines of between 80 and 318 euros, and police conduct regular checks at mountain pass approaches. More critically, if you're in an accident without the correct equipment, your insurance coverage may not hold.
The safety case is just as compelling as the legal one. According to the 2023 joint report by ISTAT and ACI (Automobile Club d'Italia), Italy recorded 166,525 road accidents involving injury or death that year. Winter conditions -- ice, reduced visibility, low-grip surfaces -- add considerably to that risk. On ice, stopping distances can be two to ten times longer than on dry tarmac. The A22 Brenner Motorway alone monitors road conditions with 25 dedicated weather stations and deploys over 400 vehicles for snow clearance and gritting. The infrastructure is significant, but it doesn't replace the need for properly equipped vehicles.
Tips for Driving in Winter Conditions
Snow socks are one part of the picture. How you drive matters just as much:
- Reduce your speed. Speed limits assume normal conditions. On snow or ice, treat them as a ceiling, not a target
- Increase the following distance. Double your usual gap at minimum -- stopping distances are much longer in cold conditions
- Check road conditions before you leave. The A22 Traffic Control Centre operates 24 hours a day: call +39 0461 980085 or toll-free from Italy on 800 279940
- Avoid sudden inputs. Hard braking or sharp steering on ice breaks traction instantly. Keep everything smooth and gradual
- Watch for black ice on bridges, shaded stretches, and overnight when temperatures drop
Ready When You Are
Winter driving in Italy is manageable with the right preparation. The snow socks in your Hertz rental are there precisely for the moments when conditions demand more than your tyres alone can handle. Watch the video before you travel with your car rental, know the rules for your route, and adjust your driving to match the conditions. That's genuinely all it takes.
Read About The Snowsocks Rental Qualifications And Requirements Here