Fines in Italy: Holidaymakers face fines of up to 18,000 euros in road traffic

Last year, Italy recorded around 3,000 deaths in traffic accidents. According to Matteo Salvini, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, this is "an unacceptable massacre," reports the news agency Ansa .

To change this, an amendment to the road traffic regulations was passed and is now coming into force. The new laws provide for significantly higher penalties and fines for traffic violations.

Holidaymakers are also affected by the new traffic regulations in Italy . However, a driving ban issued there does not apply in Germany .

While penalties and fines for traffic violations are primarily intended to increase safety, they also represent a multi-billion dollar business for the government. In 2024, Italian municipalities generated €1.7 billion in revenue. This represents a ten percent increase over the previous year, reports " alVolante ."

Milan generated the highest revenues with more than €204 million, followed by Rome (€145.8 million) and Florence (€61.6 million). These amounts could rise even further in 2025, as Italy introduces significantly harsher penalties and higher fines for numerous traffic violations.

In amending the road traffic regulations, Italian politicians paid particular attention to driving under the influence of alcohol, imposing stricter penalties for violations. A blood alcohol content between 0.5 and 0.8 per mille carries a fine of up to €2,170 , coupled with a driver's license suspension of three to six months, reports Rai .

For a blood alcohol level between 0.8 and 1.5 per mille, the penalty is doubled, and a prison sentence of up to six months is also possible. From 1.5 per mille, the penalty is a prison sentence of six months to one year, a fine of €1,500 to €6,000, and a driver's license suspension of one to two years.

In addition, drivers caught with a blood alcohol level of more than 0.8 per mille may in future be required to have a so-called "alcolock" installed in their car. The vehicle will then only start if a blood alcohol level of 0.0 per mille has been previously tested.

A fine of up to 18,000 euros could be imposed if someone simply dumps an entire bag of garbage on the side of the road. But even smaller items like tissues, bottles, or cigarettes could be fined up to 1,188 euros . Whether the car is moving or parked is irrelevant.

It's sufficient for a surveillance camera to record the offense. Previously, perpetrators had to be caught by the police. Anyone who illegally dumps their waste in a nature reserve or similar area can also lose their driver's license and even face prison sentences .

Driving while using a cell phone will also be punished more severely in the future. Anyone caught using a cell phone while driving will face a one-week suspension of their license and a deduction of ten points. In Italy, drivers initially receive 20 points on their license. Points are deducted for violations.

Driver using a cell phone while driving.

Source: IMAGO/imagebroker

Anyone who already has fewer than ten points on their license at the time of the cell phone offense must surrender their driver's license for 15 days. A fine of between €250 and €1,000 will also be imposed. Repeat offenders face a fine of up to €1,400 and a suspension of their license for up to three months.

There are also changes to the road traffic regulations for cases of animal cruelty. However, these don't directly affect animals. While anyone who abandons their pet in Italy can certainly expect a fine, the new traffic regulations are more concerned with the potential for abandoned animals to cause accidents.

Anyone caught abandoning a pet on the street must therefore surrender their driver's license for six to twelve months. If the abandoned animal causes a serious traffic accident and can be traced back to its former owner, they face up to seven years in prison.

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New rules also apply to speed cameras. The devices must now be announced one kilometer in advance by a sign, and consecutive speed cameras must be spaced at least three kilometers apart. Anyone caught multiple times within an hour will only have to pay the highest speed camera fine. However, this will be increased by a third .

Police check in Italy.

Source: imago images/Manfred Segerer

Parking illegally in Italy is also becoming more expensive. Anyone found illegally parking in a disabled parking space faces a fine of between €330 and €990 . Parking illegally in bus lanes and at public transport stops carries a fine of €165 to €650 .

The new road traffic regulations in Italy, of course, also apply to foreign drivers and should be strictly observed by anyone traveling by car in Italy. Otherwise, your vacation in Italy could quickly have very unpleasant consequences.

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