Environmental zones in Italy: how to avoid a fine

Environmental Zones

Most major Italian cities and several Italian islands have environmental zones. Such environmental zones were set up to reduce traffic in those areas at certain times. The rules vary for each environmental zone. In some areas, you may drive there only:

• if you are a resident or supplier and you have a permit
• at certain times of the day or periods in the year

Traffic signs

Road signs showing that an area is an environmental zone are not always clearly visible or recognisable. You can recognise the road signs by the text ‘Zona Traffico Limitato’. The signs are white with a red circle in the centre. Below the Zona Traffico Limitato sign is often another sign with the rules that apply to that particular area.

Hotels

Your hotel may be located in a Zona Traffico Limitato. So before your stay, ask the hotel if the hotel is in an environmental zone. Sometimes you need a permit to drive into the environmental zone. The hotel can register your license plate with the police. Do you still receive a fine? If so, ask the hotel to mediate between you and the Italian police.

Fines

If you drive through an environmental zone in Italy without noticing, a fine could land on your doormat months later. These fines quickly add up to hundreds of euros. Are you driving a rental car through an environmental zone? Then the car rental company also charges you an administrative fee of about €50 per fine. Do not wait too long with your payment. Payment in due order will avoid additional fees.
 

Tips 

• Before leaving, check which cities in Italy have environmental zones and which areas are accessible only to permit holders.
• Ask your hotel if it is located in a Zona Traffico Limitato. The hotel may be able to arrange a permit for you to drive into the environmental zone.
• Did you receive a fine? From the day of receipt, you have 60 days to pay the fine or file an appeal. So do not wait too long and act immediately. Read more about the details in the articles below.