GloveboxItaly

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of Italy. Learn about driving, road safety and much more in our illustrated book, with answers to frequently asked questions.

For informational purposes only. Always follow official regulations. Some content and images were created with AI assistance.


208. Glovebox

A glovebox, also called a glove compartment, is a storage compartment built into the dashboard in front of the passenger seat. It is commonly used to keep vehicle documents, the owner’s manual and other small items within easy reach. The glovebox should be kept closed while driving so that it does not obstruct passengers or allow loose objects to fall into the vehicle. Avoid storing valuables or items that can be damaged by the high temperatures that may develop inside a parked car.

An open glovebox with owner's manual and documents.
Wikimedia.org • Q4RadioGuy • CC BY
What is a glovebox?

A glovebox is a storage compartment in the dashboard, usually located in front of the passenger seat. It is also called a glove compartment.

Why is it called a glovebox?

The name comes from the early use of the compartment for storing driving gloves. Today it is commonly used for vehicle documents and other small items.

What can you keep in a glovebox?

A glovebox is commonly used for vehicle documents, the owner’s manual and small useful items. What should be kept in the vehicle depends on local legal requirements and personal preference.

Should the glovebox be closed while driving?

Yes. Keeping the glovebox properly closed while driving prevents it from obstructing the passenger area and helps stop loose objects from falling out.

Should valuables be kept in the glovebox?

It is generally better not to leave valuable or sensitive items in an unattended vehicle, as a glovebox does not provide strong protection against theft.

Can a glovebox become hot?

Yes. The interior of a parked vehicle can become very hot, and the glovebox can also heat up. Avoid storing heat-sensitive or potentially dangerous items there.

1 Italy 2 Motorway 3 Residential area 4 Speed limit 5 Footpath 6 Bike path 7 Shared-use path 8 Pedestrian zone 9 Customs 10 One-way traffic 11 Quay 12 Slope 13 Bus lane 14 Bus stop 15 Dead end 16 Stop sign 17 Give way 18 Roundabout 19 Road narrowing 20 Pedestrian crossing 21 Railway crossing 22 Mandatory direction 23 Overtaking 24 Crossing animals 25 Rockfall 26 Curve 27 Chevron 28 Wrong-way driving 29 Roadworks 30 Height limit 31 Weight limit 32 Traffic lights 33 Pedestrian lights 34 Road markings 35 Driving licence 36 Location marker 37 Traffic mirror 38 Emergency telephone 39 International border 40 Cycling route 41 End of restriction 42 No parking 43 Disabled parking 44 Traffic management 45 Reversing 46 Road surface 47 Tourist attraction 48 Horn 49 Licence plate 50 Charging station 51 Dangers 52 Cyclist 53 Motorcycle 54 Truck 55 Bus 56 Police 57 Ambulance 58 European emission standard 59 Pothole 60 Path 61 Particulates 62 Air pollution 63 Rush hour 64 Road code 65 Street gutter 66 Cargo bike 67 Forestry vehicle 68 Construction vehicle 69 Semi-trailer truck 70 Trolleybus 71 Speed pedelec 72 Delivery vehicle 73 Idling 74 Tow truck 75 Four-wheel drive 76 No vehicles 77 Bicycle 78 Motorcycle equipment 79 Rail track 80 Caravan 81 Trailer 82 Tow hitch 83 Fire truck 84 Siren 85 Convoy 86 Emergency vehicle lighting 87 Agricultural machinery 88 Electric bicycle 89 Electric vehicle 90 Pedelec 91 Quadricycle 92 Microcar 93 All-terrain vehicle 94 Van 95 Recreational vehicle 96 Scooter 97 Trikke 98 Personal mobility device 99 Skateboard 100 Segway ... 101 Kick scooter 102 Roller skates 103 Mailman 104 Hitchhiker 105 Toddler 106 Child 107 Disability 108 Motorail 109 km/h 110 mph 111 Speedometer 112 National speed 113 Ride height 114 Dirt road 115 Driving 116 Start-stop system 117 Manual transmission 118 Automatic transmission 119 Throttle 120 Tachometer 121 Steering wheel 122 Power steering 123 Visual scanning 124 Mirror 125 Fuel 126 Fuel gauge 127 Petrol 128 Diesel 129 Diesel exhaust fluid 130 Car insurance 131 First aid kit 132 Fire extinguisher 133 High-visibility clothing 134 First aid 135 Concrete step barrier 136 Barriers 137 Vehicle lights 138 Street lights 139 Dipped beam 140 High beam 141 Fog lights 142 Front fog lights 143 Rear fog lights 144 Side lights 145 Turn signals 146 Hazard lights 147 Dashboard lights 148 Bicycle lighting 149 Bicycle bell 150 Headlight flashing 151 Seat belt 152 Child restraints 153 Head restraints 154 Airbag 155 ABS 156 Esp 157 Traction control system 158 Helmet 159 Bicycle helmet 160 Hands-free 161 Smartphone 162 GPS 163 Brake 164 Handbrake 165 Brake fluid 166 Tyres 167 Tyre code 168 Winter tyres 169 Tyre pressure 170 Snow chains 171 Bicycle tyre 172 Continuous track 173 Gross Vehicle Weight 174 Gross Vehicle Weight Rating 175 Cargo 176 Car body 177 Trunk 178 Roof rack 179 Windscreen 180 Emergency hammer 181 Car battery 182 Traction battery 183 Suspension 184 Shock absorber 185 Spring 186 Exhaust 187 Exhaust gas 188 Soot 189 Catalytic converter 190 Engine 191 Petrol engine 192 Diesel engine 193 Electric motor 194 Timing belt 195 Glow plug 196 Cylinder 197 Engine oil 198 Coolant 199 Maintenance 200 Spare tyre 201 Flat tyre 202 Jack 203 Vehicle inspection 204 Key 205 Dashboard 206 Windscreen wiper 207 Doors 208 Glovebox 209 Visibility 210 Rain 211 Fog 212 Hail 213 Sunlight 214 Sunglasses 215 Salt 216 Air conditioning 217 Hydroplaning 218 Distraction 219 Emotions 220 Road rage 221 Health 222 Epilepsy 223 Night blindness 224 Visual impairment 225 Fatigue 226 Defects 227 Traffic violation 228 Alcohol 229 Alcohol control 230 Ignition interlock device 231 Breath test 232 Breath analysis 233 Blood alcohol content 234 Blood test 235 Saliva test 236 Drugs 237 Medication 238 Penalties 239 Speeding 240 Smoking 241 Traffic enforcement camera 242 Accident 243 Injuries 244 Nosebleed 245 Damage 246 Breakdown 247 Warning triangle 248 Traffic rules 249 Driving school 250 Traffic signs