The Amalfi Coast is one of Italy's most spectacular travel destinations. Breathtaking views, picturesque coastal towns, and the famous panoramic road along the Tyrrhenian Sea draw millions of visitors every year. Anyone planning a trip to the Amalfi Coast in 2026 and thinking of traveling by car should be aware of an important rule: the coastal road SS163 Amalfitana is once again subject to driving restrictions for certain vehicles. The so-called license plate regulation is designed to ease the chronic traffic problems along the coast and to better manage traffic flow during peak travel periods.
Why are there driving restrictions on the Amalfi Coast?
The Amalfi Coast is one of Italy's most popular vacation regions. Especially in spring and summer, visitors from around the world flock to the area between Salerno and the Sorrento Peninsula. However, the road infrastructure dates from an era when no one could have anticipated such traffic volumes. The SS163 Amalfitana is considered one of the most beautiful coastal roads in Europe. At the same time, it is narrow, winding, and runs directly alongside steep cliff faces. Encounters between tour buses, delivery vehicles, rental cars, and private automobiles regularly cause traffic jams and long delays, particularly during peak season. To improve traffic conditions, authorities have relied for several years on the system of "Targhe Alterne", meaning alternating driving restrictions based on license plate numbers.
Which towns on the Amalfi Coast are affected?
The regulation applies to the entire SS163 Amalfitana between Vietri sul Mare and Positano. Along this route lie numerous well-known towns on the Amalfi Coast that attract a particularly large number of visitors each year. These include, among others, Vietri sul Mare, Cetara, Maiori, Minori, Atrani, Amalfi, Conca dei Marini, Furore, Praiano and Positano. Anyone wishing to visit these towns by car should be sure to observe the applicable regulations. Other road connections in the inland areas are generally not affected, although these alternative routes are often considerably longer and also heavily traveled.
How the license plate regulation works
The principle is straightforward: between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on certain days, vehicles with a specific last digit on their license plate are not permitted to use the SS163. On even-numbered calendar days, the restriction applies to vehicles with an even last digit. On odd-numbered calendar days, vehicles with an odd last digit may not use the road. The last digit of the license plate number is the determining factor. The regulation applies not only to Italian vehicles but explicitly also to foreign cars and rental vehicles. German vacationers are therefore subject to the same rules as Italian visitors.
When do the driving restrictions apply in 2026?
According to current guidelines, the restrictions are in effect during several periods. Traffic measures were already introduced around Easter and the public holidays at the end of April and beginning of May. For vacationers, however, the summer months are particularly relevant. From June 1 through July 31, 2026 the restrictions apply on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays. From August 1 through September 30, 2026 the regulation is applied daily. In October, restrictions are again in effect on weekends and public holidays. Anyone planning a day trip along the Amalfi Coast should therefore check in advance whether their vehicle is permitted to travel on the SS163 on a given day.
Do the driving restrictions apply to rental cars as well?
Yes. A common misconception among many vacationers is the belief that rental cars are exempt from the regulations. That is not the case. Rental cars are also subject to the driving restrictions as a general rule. The only determining factor is the last digit of the license plate. Anyone picking up a vehicle at Naples Airport or in Salerno should factor this into their travel planning, since the license plate number may not be permitted on the coastal road on certain days.
What exceptions are there?
Authorities have provided for various exceptions. Among those exempt from the driving restrictions are residents of the affected municipalities, emergency vehicles operated by police and rescue services, taxis, chauffeured vehicles, and vehicles belonging to people with disabilities. Special provisions may also apply to certain employees and service providers. Particularly important for vacationers: guests with a verifiable hotel or accommodation booking may be eligible for an exemption under certain conditions. Anyone staying overnight on the Amalfi Coast should therefore keep their booking confirmation readily accessible during the drive. Motorcycles and motor scooters are generally not subject to the license plate regulation.
What penalties can be expected for violations?
Anyone who disregards the license plate regulation and travels on the SS163 despite the restriction must expect a fine . Compliance with the rules is monitored regularly. In addition, vehicles may be turned away at checkpoints or prevented from continuing their journey. This can result in significant delays that, especially for day trips, can throw an entire travel itinerary into disarray.
Does it even make sense to have a car on the Amalfi Coast?
This is a question many Italy vacationers ask themselves. The answer depends heavily on the time of year. Outside of peak season, a car offers great flexibility and makes it possible to explore more remote locations. During the summer months, however, traffic jams, parking shortages and the license plate regulations can quickly offset the advantages. On top of that, parking in towns like Amalfi or Positano is often scarce and expensive. Those traveling during peak season should therefore consider whether public transportation might be the more relaxed alternative.
What alternatives are available?
The Amalfi Coast offers several options for getting around without a private car. Particularly popular are the bus services operated by SITA Sud, which connect the main coastal towns. During the season, numerous ferries also run between Salerno, Amalfi, Positano and other towns along the coast. Many visitors also opt for a motorroller. These are not subject to the license plate restrictions and are considerably easier to maneuver on the narrow roads. That said, riders should have sufficient experience given the demanding road conditions.
Why the regulation is quite understandable
Those who have never driven the SS163 Amalfitana themselves often underestimate the actual road conditions. The roadway is considerably narrower in many sections than photos or videos might suggest. At the same time, it is shared by local buses, delivery vehicles, tour coaches, rental cars, and private vehicles. The editorial team at Vivere in Italien has had this experience firsthand. During a previous visit to the Amalfi Coast, the team was traveling in a Fiat Punto, a fairly compact car by Italian standards with Italian license plates. Even so, there were multiple situations in which encounters with buses or larger vehicles demanded extreme concentration and patience. In some spots, only a narrow margin remained between the vehicle and the rock face or the steeply dropping coastline.
Against this backdrop, it becomes easier to understand why authorities have been trying for years to ease traffic on the SS163. Even if the license plate regulation may initially seem inconvenient for vacationers, it is ultimately intended to reduce congestion, dangerous situations, and long delays on one of Europe's most famous coastal roads. Those visiting the Amalfi Coast should therefore view the driving restrictions not merely as a limitation , but as part of an effort to manage traffic on a road that has long since reached its capacity limits.