International drivers license, necessary or not?

Hi all. I am planning on coming to the area for a semester of study (keeping fingers crossed it'll happen this time) and was looking into whether I'll be able to drive while I'm there. I've read about an international drivers license and that it's a good idea but then I read other things saying its not necessary. Is this the same thing as an intl driving permit?!! And are any of these thngs necessary to drive there? I have a US drivers license. Thanks for any help you can offer.

An international driving permit is just a way of telling foreign authorities that you have a driver's license (your license info is in multiple languages on it). It doesn't mean you can drive everywhere. I'm pretty sure you don't need one to drive in Italy with an American license.

You can drive with an American licence here in Italy, however the Italian government suggests you carry an International Driving Permit (essentially a translation of your US licence; available from the AAA in America) or get your licence translated into Italian before leaving the US.