Should You Book a Vespa Sidecar Tour in Rome?

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While I have romanticized the idyllic and quintessentially Italian pastime of zipping around the country on a Vespa like you always see in the movies, sadly my confidence level with motorized scooters is abysmal. In fact, I’m not particularly confident on anything with wheels that isn’t a car – count me out for motorcycles, rollerblades, skateboards, and even bicycles. It’s really a shame, because I look badass in a leather jacket and love biker culture. Once I learn how to balance, it’s all over for you folks.

While in Rome recently, my travel companions were set on renting scooters to explore the city. Luckily we found a compromise in a guided Vespa sidecar tour of Rome! This was the perfect solution because we were not responsible for driving but we still got to experience the sights and sounds of the city via Italy’s most iconic form of transportation.

We went with the “Rome: Highlights Vespa Sidecar Tour with Coffee and Gelato” tour on GetYourGuide (the trip was not sponsored; I wasn’t asked to write this post). Two people can join each driver; one person will sit on the back of the Vespa behind the driver, and the other will sit in the sidecar. Your party can switch back and forth so that each person gets a chance to be in the sidecar. There are a handful of stops where everyone will get off the Vespas and listen to the guides talk about the sights.

A completely Italian product, such as we have not seen since the Roman chariot.

The Times describing the vespa, 1946

Benefits of a Vespa sidecar tour in Rome

Peace of mind about Vespa safety in Rome

While some people who are new to motorbikes might be fast learners, practicing driving a Vespa for the first time in a major city like Rome is still a questionable idea (and some veteran motorcyclists don’t even want to take it on). Drivers in Rome follow their own unwritten code of etiquette and don’t necessarily adhere to the rules of the road you might be used to at home. Traffic can be very crowded and chaotic, with pedestrians, scooters, and vehicles all weaving in and out of each other with what may seem like little rhyme or reason to the outside eye.

When we were considering joining a tour that involved driving the Vespas ourselves, a friend tried to reassure me that when they did a similar tour in the past, the guide would zoom ahead into roundabouts to block oncoming traffic and allow the tour group to get through safely. The idea that such a maneuver is even necessary didn’t really make me feel better! 

There were moments during our tour when our driver made daring choices about fitting in between narrow lanes of traffic, or using a very brief available window of time to pass slower cars by veering into oncoming traffic. I would not have been as adventurous if I was driving myself, and I fear I would have gotten stuck too far behind the rest of the group as cars got in between me and the other Vespas.

If you are gutsy you may feel safe renting a scooter in Rome and driving yourself, but for me, being able to ride along on the back or in the sidecar made the tour stress-free. I could focus on sightseeing and enjoying the moment instead of panicking about navigation and safety. 

Avoiding confusion about the road rules for Vespa drivers in Rome

On a guided tour with a driver you don’t have to think about these things, but tourists opting to rent a Vespa for a self-guided day of adventuring on their own should familiarize themselves with the rules of the road in Rome and Italy. There may be special restrictions depending on what type of motorbike you rent. For instance, 50cc scooters have different permissions than 125cc+ scooters. 

Can motorbikes ride in ZLT Zones in Rome?

Did you know Rome has “ZLT zones”? ZLT stands for zona traffic limitato, or limited traffic zone. Only taxis, vehicles with disability permits, and residents who live or work in the neighborhood can enter a ZTL zone. Some sources say that scooters and mopeds are exempt and totally free to drive and park in all zones, but this is not correct. For example, scooters are not allowed in the Tridente area. A Redditor attests that they were fined €150 for riding a scooter up Via Veneto.

What are the parking rules for motorbikes in Rome?

You can get in trouble for riding in bus lanes or for parking in areas meant for buses, taxis, or the disabled. If renting your own Vespa, learn to differentiate between the different parking designations in Rome. White or blue lines represent allowed parking spaces, but yellow-lined spaces are off limits. You should park with your front wheel facing the curb. “No parking” signs have a red circle with a slash through it on a blue background, or say “Divieto di Sosta.”

Anecdotally, Vespa riders online mention that parking between cars is ok and that while parking on the sidewalks is not technically allowed, people do it anyway; a good rule of thumb is that if other motorbikes are already parked there, you can assume it’s ok join them.

Can I rent a Vespa in Italy with my regular car driver’s license?

Since I joined a guided Vespa sidecar tour in Rome that did not involve me doing any of the driving, I did not have to show my driver’s license or International Driver’s Permit at all.

If you were to rent and drive a basic 125cc scooter yourself instead of riding along on a guided tour, you must have a valid car driver’s license from your home country. This is enough for citizens of the EU and United Kingdom. For those outside of the EU, you’d also need to make sure you procure an International Driver’s Permit (sometimes called an International Driver’s License) in advance of your trip. The process of getting an IDP if you are an United States citizen is extremely easy, but it’s something you would ideally plan on handling before leaving the US.

I have gotten an IDP on two different occasions. Each time I simply printed out these forms (note the 18yo age requirement), filled them out, and then went to my nearest AAA office to submit them. You don’t have to be a AAA member or schedule an appointment, you can just show up. Mailing it in is also an option, but the in-person agent at the AAA office can take your passport-sized photos for you if you don’t already have them. They will create your IDP right there in-office and you will leave the same day with your new International Driver’s Permit. The entire thing took less than 30 minutes for me both times. International licenses are typically valid for a year.

For any motorbike more powerful than a 125cc, such as 150, 250, or 300cc, you need a motorcycle license.

Expert guides have planned a unique itinerary

The guides on our Vespa sidecar tour in Rome took us to locations I would never have thought to visit myself. They brought us to a fantastic vantage point to admire the Colosseum away from the crowds, taught us about the Baths of Caracalla, Circus Maximus, and Pyramid of Cestius, blessed us with two different overlooks that had panoramic views of the city, and provided skip-the-line access to sample gelato and limoncello at one of the most popular cafes in trendy Trastevere.

As we rode along between stops, our guides continued to point out additional landmarks and answered our questions about history and modern life in Rome.

I was impressed that one of our guides spoke three languages, and all three guides spoke very fluent English. They were charismatic and fun to chat with. They were also great about snapping picture-worthy moments on each group member’s phone to make sure our memories were documented.

Vespas are immersive

Seeing Rome by Vespa is an enveloping experience that you can’t get by taxi, tram, metro, or bus. With looming ruins in every direction, you’ll be glad for the ability to look up and around with no roof-like obstacles! The details you’ll notice on the route from point A to point B are just as interesting as the major stops; these in-transit moments are missed on underground subways. Riding a Vespa means you are still in the lively mix of things instead of closing yourself off in a private car (I usually prefer walking and public transportation because I want to experience what regular life might be like in a destination instead of putting myself in a bubble), but you can avoid getting stuck in the massive crowds you would frequently encounter on foot. You can accomplish more in a short amount of time.

I’ve visited Rome a couple times now and can never get over the coexistence of the ancient and the modern. Dashing around on a mechanized contraption while relics of antiquity pass through your periphery is a disorienting and singular experience. When artifacts sit behind glass it can be difficult to reconcile the past with the present, but Rome is a city of immersive living history.

Can anyone ride a Vespa in Rome?

What is the age requirement for a Vespa tour in Rome?

Most scooter rental companies will dictate that non-Italian drivers must be 18yo to rent and drive a Vespa in Rome. That is the age requirement to apply for an International Driver’s Permit for Americans, and for a regular car driver’s license in many European countries. Children as young as 5yo can be passengers by Italian law, though each rental company may have their own age restrictions.

Some guided Vespa tour operators in Rome will also have an 18yo age requirement for insurance reasons, and may not allow children even as passengers. The one we booked does seem to allow children as young as 5yo.

Italians as young as 14yo can be licensed to drive 50cc motor-scooters! Vespas are a symbol of independence and freedom for young people in Italy. They are more affordable than cars and are useful in rural places where public transportation is not up to par (the manufacturer Piaggio introduced Vespa to the market in 1946 as a post-WWII transportation solution for a country with damaged roads and a struggling economy). In cities like Rome, Vespas are practical because of the narrow streets, the ability to weave through heavy traffic, and the lack of parking space for larger vehicles.

What is the weight limit for a Vespa tour in Rome?

There are different weight requirements for different models of scooters and mopeds. A Vespa will generally have a total maximum limit of 150-180 kg, or 330-396 lb. The guided tour we booked noted a weight limit of 100 kg or 220 lb per person.

Other Considerations for a Vespa Sidecar Tour in Rome

Helmets will be provided by the tour operator and insurance is included in the price of a guided tour. 

In terms of what to wear for a Vespa tour, there are not many requirements besides closed-toed shoes. It’s advisable to bring sunglasses and limit the size of any bags/purses. Long pants and a light jacket are the most comfortable clothing choices. If you have long hair, it’s a good idea to avoid wearing a clip or high ponytail so you can get the helmet on.

It took me a second to get used to the momentum of the Vespa, but soon enough I stopped worrying about falling off and enjoyed the twists and turns. When you sit on the back, there are places to anchor your feet and to hold onto the hardware of the Vespa with your hands. When you sit in the sidecar, you don’t have to worry about positioning yourself any particular way, although I found that I didn’t enjoy being low to the ground and ultra-protected by the sidecar as much as I enjoyed being on the back. Being in the sidecar made me feel like a passive rather than active participant. Other members of my group felt more comfortable in the sidecar, though, so it’s all personal preference.

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Have you ever taken a Vespa sidecar tour in Rome? Did you prefer riding on the back or in the sidecar? If you’ve ever rented your own scooter for a self-guided adventure, I’d love to hear your experience – did you find it harrowing, thrilling, easier or harder than expected? Did you learn any important lessons about navigating Roman roads?

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