Italy's new fines rules: It could be expensive

Driving too fast, leaving your phone behind the wheel, one glass of wine too many: your next vacation in Italy could be very expensive. On Saturday, new fines come into effect in one of Europe's most popular tourist destinations.

In the future, drivers caught holding a smartphone while talking on the phone or chatting will be fined at least 250 euros. For repeat offenders, fines can reach up to €1,400 and a penalty of three months without a driving license.

With the new rules, the government of right-wing Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni hopes to reduce Italy's traffic death toll of more than 3,000 a year.

Based on statistical averages, this means 52 traffic fatalities per million inhabitants, significantly higher than in other large EU countries such as Germany (34), Spain (38) or France (48). Changes in road traffic regulations naturally also apply to foreigners.

Electric scooters also have new rules

But it's not just drivers who are affected. Fees can also be high for users of e-scooters, which are particularly popular among young tourists in cities like Rome or Florence: if you walk around without a helmet, you'll be charged 50 euros.

Even on a rental scooter, the cost will be higher if indicator lights, brake lights or license plates are missing. Speeding on e-scooters on Italy's often very narrow streets is a nuisance in many places.

If the alcohol content exceeds 0.5 parts per thousand, you risk a fine of 2,200 euros.Image: Shutterstock

In future, police should take particularly tough action if alcohol or drugs are involved. In Italy, as in Germany, the alcohol limit is 0.5 drinks per thousand: anyone with just a little more faces a fine of nearly 2,200 euros and risks being without a driving license for six months.

If the alcohol content exceeds 0.8 parts per thousand, its price increases significantly, and if the alcohol content exceeds 1.5 parts per thousand, you could even face six months in jail.

“Zero tolerance” for drug driving

In the future, “zero tolerance” (Transport Minister Matteo Salvini) will apply even to people affected by drugs. If you are caught, in extreme cases you could face three years without a driver's license. Exceptions only apply if the drug can be used for medical reasons.

Those caught speeding will be punished more severely than before: anyone traveling more than 10 kilometers per hour over the speed limit will be fined €173.

In addition, you must maintain a distance of 1.5 meters when overtaking. Italy has an above-average number of cyclists among its traffic fatalities.

This is mainly to protect the many amateur athletes who use racing cars on Italian roads, especially at weekends. Stiffer penalties also apply when parking in disabled parking spaces.

Transport Minister Matteo Salvini favors “zero tolerance” restrictions on people under the influence of drugs. Image: trapezoid

Temporary driving ban in city center creates a lot of trouble

According to an overview by ADAC, the new fine rules make Italy one of the European countries that punishes traffic violations particularly harshly.

A spokesman said: “As far as we know, no other country will implement such extensive reforms in 2025.” Other EU countries such as Germany's neighbor Poland are currently implementing significant austerity policies.

However, Transport Minister Salvini defended himself and dismissed criticism that the new penalties were excessive. The right-wing populist politician argued that “fines have not increased significantly”.

Salvini also argued that particularly controversial driving bans in Italy's city centers should in future only be enacted “in the context of protecting cultural, artistic, ecological and natural heritage”.

Driving bans in restricted traffic zones (ZTL) often cause problems for German holidaymakers, according to ADAC. They usually only apply at certain times.

Foreigners usually only notice the prohibition signs after driving into the area. Fines typically occur months after the holiday is over because it takes time to evaluate security cameras. (Sudanese Development Authority/Department of Political Affairs)

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