Road traffic regulations in Italy

Italy significantly tightened its Highway Code (Codice della Strada) on December 14, 2024 – particularly regarding mobile phone use while driving, alcohol, and e-scooters. Fines are often far higher than in Germany and are also enforced in Germany. Here you will find the most important rules and penalties for car and motorhome drivers, as of November 2026.

Fines from Italy: What holidaymakers need to know

• Enforcement in Germany: Fines from EU member states exceeding €70 (including processing fees) are also enforced in Germany. Authorities exchange vehicle owner data in accordance with EU Directive 2015/413.
• Delivery deadline: If the violation is not prosecuted on site (e.g. speed camera, ZTL camera), the notice must be delivered within 360 days of the violation.
• Discount and doubling: Those who pay within 5 days usually receive a 30% discount. Those who let the 60-day period expire pay significantly more.
• Night surcharge: For many violations between 22 pm and 7 am, the fine increases by a third.
• Owner liability: The vehicle owner and driver are jointly liable. If the driver is not identified upon request, an additional fine may be imposed.
• Points: Foreign drivers also start with 20 points in Italy. Points are not issued in Flensburg for traffic violations committed in Italy; a driving ban only applies in Italy.

Fines in Italy are normally adjusted for inflation every two years; this adjustment is currently suspended. The amounts listed below reflect the levels in 2026.

Speed ​​limits and speeding violations

Maximum speeds in Italy

vehicle.	In town	country road	Expressway	Highway
Cars, motorhomes up to 3,5 t	50	90	110 (Rain 90)	130 (Rain 110)
New drivers (under 3 years old)	50	90	90	100
Motorhome over 3,5 t	50	80	80	100
Car with trailer/caravan	50	70	70	80

On many highways, section control systems ("Tutor") measure the average speed. In rain or snow, the reduced speed limit applies automatically, even without an additional sign.

Fines for speeding

transgression	Fines	More episodes
bis 10 km/h	42–173 €	–
10 – 40 km / h	173–694 €	3 points
40 – 60 km / h	543–2.170 €	6 points, 1–3 month driving ban
over 60 km / h	845–3.382 €	10 points, 6–12 month driving ban

Alcohol, drugs and mobile phone while driving

Blood alcohol limit in Italy

In Italy, the legal blood alcohol limit is 0,5 per mille . A 0,0 per mille limit applies to novice drivers in the first three years after obtaining their license, drivers under 21, professional drivers, and anyone driving a vehicle over 3,5 tons – including heavy motorhomes (Art. 186-bis of the Italian Highway Code). For these groups, a blood alcohol level between 0 and 0,5 per mille results in fines of €168 to €672. For everyone else, the following penalties apply according to Art. 186:

blood alcohol	Fines	More episodes
0,5–0,8 ‰	543–2.170 €	10 points, 3–6 month driving ban
0,8–1,5 ‰	800–3.200 €	Offense: up to 6 months imprisonment, 6–12 months driving ban
over 1,5 ‰	1.500–6.000 €	Offense: 6–12 months imprisonment, 1–2 year driving ban, vehicle may be confiscated

Driving under the influence of drugs is a criminal offense in Italy. Since the 2024 reform, proof of drug use is sufficient for prosecution; actual impairment is no longer required.

Using a mobile phone while driving

Holding a mobile phone while driving has cost between €2024 and €250 and 1.000 penalty points since December 5; a short driving ban is also possible. Anyone caught again within two years will pay between €350 and €1.400 , lose 10 penalty points, and risk a driving ban of 1 to 3 months. Only hands-free devices or headphones that do not impair hearing in both ears are permitted; in practical terms, this means a single earbud.

Overtaking, right-of-way and roundabouts

Crossing a solid line and overtaking bans

In Italy, as in Germany, the solid center line must not be crossed or used for overtaking. Tourists are often caught because they pull out to overtake before the start of the dashed line.

• Crossed a solid line: €42–173 and 2 points (Art. 146)
• Overtaking in poor visibility or dangerous conditions: €83–332 and 3 points (Art. 148)
• Overtaking on bends, before crests or at intersections: €167–665, 10 points and a 1–3 month driving ban
• Overtaking is also prohibited on and before level crossings and at pedestrian crossings.
• Cyclists: When overtaking outside of built-up areas, maintain a lateral distance of at least 1,5 m.

Red light

Wer bei Rot über die Ampel fährt, zahlt ab 167 € und verliert 6 Punkte; nachts wird es ein Drittel teurer. Viele Ampeln in Italien sind mit Kameras („T-Red“) überwacht.

roundabout traffic

Almost all roundabouts are marked with a "Yield" sign – this means vehicles already in the roundabout have priority. If this sign is missing, the "right before left" rule applies, meaning vehicles entering the roundabout have priority. Drivers should use their turn signals when exiting. Because these rules are not always followed in practice, extra caution is advised when driving through a roundabout.

Narrow mountain roads

If two vehicles cannot pass each other on a mountain road, the vehicle traveling downhill must stop and make way on the right or in a passing bay. If reversing is necessary, vehicles with trailers have priority over single vehicles, vehicles over 3,5 tons over lighter ones, and buses over trucks (Art. 150).

Motorway: U-turns, reversing and toll booths

Italy shows no mercy on its motorways:

• Turning around or crossing the median strip: €2.046–€8.186, 10 points, revocation of driving licence and 3 months impoundment of the vehicle
• Drive backwards On the motorway, at on-ramps or at the toll plaza: €430–1.731 and 10 points

Did you accidentally enter the wrong lane at the toll plaza, for example, a Telepass lane? Stop, press the help button, and wait – under no circumstances should you reverse. You can find everything you need to know about paying motorway tolls on our page about tolls in Italy 2026.

Lights, safety vest, strap and cargo

Low beam headlights during the day

Outside built-up areas and on motorways, you must drive with dipped headlights even during the day; motorcycles and mopeds must always use them. A violation will cost €42–173. Rear fog lights may only be used when visibility is less than 50 meters.

Warning vest and warning triangle

A warning triangle must be carried in the vehicle. Anyone who gets out of their car after a breakdown or accident outside of built-up areas and moves onto the road or shoulder must wear a high-visibility vest – this also applies to motorcyclists and passengers. Therefore, keep a vest readily accessible inside the vehicle for each passenger. Cyclists must also wear a reflective vest outside of built-up areas at night and in tunnels.

Seat belts and child seats

Seat belts must be worn in all seats. Violations will result in a fine of €83 and 5 penalty points. Children under 1,50 m tall must be in a suitable child safety seat; the driver is liable for children who are not wearing seat belts.

Warning sign for bicycle carriers and protruding loads

Any load that extends beyond the rear of the vehicle must be marked with a red and white striped, reflective warning panel measuring at least 50 x 50 cm – this also applies to bicycle carriers on cars and motorhomes . The panel must be mounted perpendicular to the direction of travel at the end of the load. The ADAC (German Automobile Club) also recommends it for rear carriers with their own lighting. Type-approved aluminum panels with mounting eyelets are available from accessory retailers. If the panel is missing, it will cost from €87.

Parking and ZTL (Limited Traffic Zone) in the old towns

Colors of parking markings

• White: Free parking (observe signs, often with parking disc)
• Blue: Fee applies – ticket available from the machine or via app
• Yellow: reserved, e.g. for residents, taxis, buses or people with disabilities
• Yellow and black curb: No parking at all

Parking illegally costs from €42 for cars. Holders of an EU parking permit for people with disabilities may use the appropriately marked spaces.

ZTL – Limited Traffic Zone

Almost all of Tuscany's historic city centers – such as Florence , Siena, Pisa , and Lucca – are ZTL zones. Entry is only permitted with authorization during the posted hours and is monitored by cameras. Each unauthorized entry costs between €83 and €332 ; those who repeatedly pass through a camera gate can receive multiple tickets. These tickets often arrive months later. If you are staying in a hotel within a ZTL, check beforehand whether the hotel will register your license plate.

E-scooters and bicycles

Since the reform, strict rules apply to e-scooters: helmets are mandatory for all riders since December 2024, the maximum speed is 20 km/h, and riding on sidewalks is prohibited. Since May 17, 2026, e-scooters have required a license plate (contrassegno), and since July 16, 2026, liability insurance has been mandatory. For rental scooters, the provider takes care of the license plate and insurance; you must bring your own helmet. You can read more details in our article " E-Scooters in Italy . "

More travel information for drivers

Documents, equipment, and safety information for your journey are summarized in our travel advice for driving in Italy . Emergency contact and breakdown assistance information can be found under "Telephoning and Emergency Calls in Italy" (emergency number 112, ACI breakdown assistance 803 116, from foreign mobile phones 800 116 800). For your journey, it's worth taking a look at the routes through Switzerland . The ADAC also provides current information on traffic fines.

Legal basis: Codice della Strada (Legislative Decree of April 30, 1992, no. 285) as amended by Law No. 177/2024. All information is provided without guarantee, as of November 2026.

Frequently asked questions about the Italian traffic regulations