Rome authorities are moving to tighten regulations on golf carts that have become increasingly popular among tourists, as concerns grow over congestion, illegal parking and overtourism in the Italian capital’s historic center.
Hundreds of golf carts now carry visitors through Rome’s narrow streets and around major landmarks. While operators say the electric vehicles are quieter, take up less space and produce no exhaust fumes, critics argue that their rapid growth has added to the city’s already severe traffic and parking problems.
Golf cart bookings in Rome increased 147% this summer compared with 2024, according to TripAdvisor. The city is estimated to have as many as 500 such vehicles.
Rome has only about 4,300 regular on-street parking spaces in its historic center, while an average of 50,000 vehicles enter the area each day, according to city transport officials.
Luigi La Licata, head of a neighborhood association in Monti, said the golf carts had become the latest source of frustration for residents already dealing with heavy traffic.
“Overtourism is a real problem,” said Pascal van Duijnhoven, president of Metur, an association of golf cart tour operators. He acknowledged that the industry was part of the problem but argued that the vehicles could also help address transport challenges if properly regulated.
Rome Deputy Mayor for Sustainable Mobility and Transport Eugenio Patanè said the city was seeking greater control over the sector.
He said the city wants to introduce fixed routes, limit the number of golf carts and establish a system for selecting authorized operators. Rome has asked the regional authorities to transfer regulatory powers over passenger transport and tourism businesses to the city.
Patanè said he expected the transfer to take place this month, allowing Rome to introduce new rules for the rapidly expanding sector.
Meanwhile, authorities have stepped up checks on golf cart operators. Vehicles linked to Metur members were stopped 14 times during the latter half of August, according to van Duijnhoven.
Operators said some checks lasted up to an hour and complained that penalties were sometimes excessive or inconsistent. Unlicensed tour guides can face fines of up to 4,000 euros ($4,600), while vehicles allegedly operating as unauthorized private-hire services can be barred from the streets for more than a month.
The crackdown has also exposed tensions between golf cart operators and traditional taxi and private-hire drivers, who accuse the newcomers of taking away part of their business.
Despite the disputes, city authorities say regulation is necessary as the golf cart business has become increasingly widespread in Rome’s crowded historic center.