Italy, the third-largest economy in the eurozone, holds a pivotal role in the realm of international road transport. Renowned as a major exporter, the country excels in delivering vehicles, machinery, industrial, and pharmaceutical products to the global market. Additionally, it serves as an important transportation hub in Southern Europe.
When executing orders in Italy, it’s essential to acquaint yourself with the latest regulations. In this article, we delve into the fines, applicable rules, and crucial tips to help you steer clear of costly errors. Read on!
What are the limits and fines for speeding in urban areas?
- In residential areas, the maximum speed limit is set at 50 km/h. However, on urban roads that meet specific construction and functional standards, this limit can be increased to 70 km/h. Appropriate signage and signaling are essential to increase the limit.
- A 30 km/h speed limit is enforced in urban areas for vehicles transporting Class 1 hazardous materials. Beyond urban zones, these vehicles are required to maintain a speed limit of no more than 50 km/h.
Likewise, fully loaded construction vehicles are subject to similar restrictions, with speed limits set at 40 km/h and 60 km/h, respectively.
How high are speeding fines in Italy?
- Up to 10 km/h over the limit: fine of EUR 42 to EUR 173.
- From 10 to 40 km/h over the limit: the fine is EUR 173 to EUR 694. Should a violation occur twice within a year in a built-up area, the fine is increased to between EUR 220 and EUR 880, and the driver’s license is seized for a period of 15 to 30 days.
- From 40 to 60 km/h over the limit: the fine of EUR 543 to EUR 2170 and the driver’s license is suspended for 1-3 months.
- Above 60 km/h: the fine is EUR 845 to EUR 3382 and the driver’s license is suspended or 6 to 12 months.
What are the limits and fines for speeding in non-built-up areas?
The maximum speed limit in Italy is 130 km/h on highways, 110 km/h on major non-urban roads, and 90 km/h on secondary and local non-urban roads. In addition to restrictions based on the type of road, the regulations also specify the maximum speed for different types of vehicles – different speed limits apply depending on the category of vehicle, adapted to their specific characteristics and impact on road safety. Examples include:
- Vehicles designed for transporting goods or serving other functions, with a total loaded weight exceeding 3.5 tons but not 12 tons: 80 km/h on roads outside residential centers and 100 km/h on highways.
- Vehicles designed for transporting goods or serving other functions, with a total loaded weight exceeding 12 tons: 70 km/h on roads outside residential centers and 80 km/h on highways.
- a combination of vehicles consisting of a motor vehicle and a trailer: 70 km/h outside residential centers and 80 km/h on highways.
- buses with a total loaded weight exceeding 8 tons: 80 km/h outside residential centers and 100 km/h on highways.
It is essential to display the maximum speed limit on the rear of certain vehicles. For vehicle combinations, the limit markings should be affixed to trailers or semi-trailers. Under Italian regulations, non-compliance incurs fines ranging from EUR 26 to EUR 102.
Is it mandatory to drive with your lights on at all times?
In Italy, traffic regulations mandate that drivers must use position lights, headlights, dipped headlights, marker lights, and ensure the license plate is illuminated. Exceptions from these requirements are granted to vehicles of historical significance and collectors’ vehicles.
A driver breaching these regulations may incur an administrative penalty ranging from EUR 41 to EUR 169. Improper use of lights, which can blind other road users, is subject to fines ranging from EUR 87 to EUR 344.
What are the penalties for failure to present the driving license upon request?
In accordance with the Italian Highway Code, drivers must possess a registration certificate, proof of the vehicle’s technical capacity (or a vehicle approval certificate), a valid driver’s license for the specific vehicle category, and, in certain instances, a certificate of compliance with physical and mental requirements. A few months ago – on 30 June 2024 – it was made possible to present this document in electronic form – in the IO application. Non-compliance with essential document requirements incurs fines ranging from EUR 42 to EUR 173.
What are the plans for running a red light?
In the context of traffic violations and fines in Italy, it’s important to highlight the prevalent and hazardous offense of running a red light. A driver found guilty of this offense faces an administrative penalty ranging from EUR 167 to EUR 665.
Moreover, repeat traffic offenders who have committed a similar violation at least twice within a two-year period face an additional penalty: suspension of their driver’s license for one to three months. In addition, according to the Highway Code (Article 146), fines are increased by one-third if the offense occurred between 22:00 and 07:00.
What are the consequences of serious traffic violations?
The most immediate and apparent consequence is the imposition of fines on the driver responsible for the violation or, if the driver cannot be identified, on the vehicle’s owner. Beyond financial repercussions, traffic violations in Italy entail an additional penalty through the points system, a crucial component of the country’s sanctions for violations. Every driver starts with a baseline limit of 20 points. Furthermore, the system incentivizes compliance by awarding an extra 2 points for each violation-free year, with a maximum potential bonus of 10 points. By driving responsibly, you not only protect yourself from penalties but also elevate your available points limit.
Road carriers should take particular notice, as the list of potential consequences for them is notably more extensive. Exceeding the speed limiter’s calibrated speed limit in vehicles where one is mandatory entails additional administrative fines. A missing or faulty limiter could lead to fines ranging from EUR 967 to EUR 3867 for the driver. If any modifications are discovered in the device, the penalty will be doubled.
Holders of a license or permit for transporting passengers or goods will face an administrative penalty ranging from EUR 831 to EUR 3328 if they permit a vehicle to operate without a speed limiter, tachograph, and the necessary registration certificates, or if the speed limiter is non-functional or has been altered.
These are not the only sanctions to be expected in such cases. Upon the discovery of three violations of the aforementioned rules, the competent office of the Land Transportation Department will suspend the relevant license or permit. This suspension covers the vehicle involved in the violations.
What changes in regulations and fines came into effect in 2024?
In Italy, fines are revised biennially in accordance with the consumer price index, as determined by the national statistics office, ISTAT. The update reflects the average price fluctuations across the country over the past two years.
The regulations, released on 25 November 2024, introduce, among other measures, a brief suspension of the driver’s license, ranging from 7 to 15 days. For violations of specific regulations, such as driving against traffic or running red lights, the period may be extended to 30 days. Fines for speeding have been raised, and penalties for using a cell phone while driving have surged from EUR 250 to EUR 1000.
The regulations impose particularly severe penalties on drivers who repeatedly commit the same offenses, with fines reaching up to EUR 1400 and driver’s license suspensions lasting as long as three months. Adjustments have been implemented regarding fines for violations captured by speed cameras. Should a driver commit multiple offenses on the same stretch of road within an hour, they will face a single penalty: the most severe sanction, increased by an additional one-third.
