Auto tolls around Florence

This has come up before. This is an old post, but you might find it helpful.

When we stayed near Greve, the only toll road we experienced was the A1 when we drove up and back from Rome. We just used a credit card to pay.

Go to the Autostrada web site for more info.

Read this recent thread below:
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/friendly-warning-about-italy-toll-roads

The explanation of the different types of toll gates is below.
https://www.autostrade.it/en/pedaggio

as explained above, cash is accepted at toll gates with White signs displaying the logo of money and coins.
If you choose the white sign with a black hand holding the money, that gate is manned by a live person, manned gates accept ONLY CASH.
Gates that are unmanned accept also credit cards. Automatic cash machines give change.
Gates with blue signs accepts cards only (no cash)
Telepass is the name of the Italian EZpass, they have their own gate (yellow sign saying Telepass).
Most rental companies rent the Telepass transponder, if you want. However, although the transponder rental cost is low ( few euro a day), I wouldn't rent it because it's not needed for someone who will be using freeways only sporadically, and a tourist visiting Tuscan towns from Florence will use toll freeways only sporadically, and the tolls will be puny (like less than 5 euro each time).

Toll freeways have green signage like in the US ( toll free freeways have blue signage).
At the entrance ramp of a toll freeway you will go through a gate where you must pick up a ticket ('biglietto') from the dispensing machine.
This is what the entrance gate looks like at the FIRENZE SCANDICCI entry ramp. All other entrances will be similar. This is the FIRENZE IMPRUNETA entrance, this is the FIRENZE SUD entrance, and FIRENZE OVEST entrance (if you drive to Lucca).
The above are all entrances around Florence.

No matter which entrance you choose don't forget to pick up the ticket (biglietto) at the machine like this one. The ticket is usually already half out in the slot for you to pick up, if not press the big red button above. You will need that ticket to pay at the exit, because it will be proof of the distance you traveled. Don't loose it or they'll make you pay the highest possible toll as if you traveled from Sicily.

I usually pay cash at the manned toll booths (white sign with black hand) although after hour, in minor exits, there are only automatic cash machines working. As I said you will be traveling on toll freeways very little and for short distances, therefore the tolls won't be more than just a few euro each time you use them.

Make sure you know about ZTLs. Even if you are staying in a ZTL, does not mean you have the right to drive in that ZTL, and certainly not in any of the other ZTLs.

Also, just assume any town you visit, that it will have a ZTL in the city center, just plan on parking in the outskirts and walking ot taking a bus in.

Even a single ZTL fine will make tolls look like chump change.

How much are ZTL fines? (OK with cost in euros or dollars.) I see numerous references to ZTLs are huge fines - would like to see an actual number. Are they the same in most Tuscan towns or vary from town to town?

How much are ZTL fines?

They vary, but I recall seeing some reference of "from 80 euro to 300 euro". That matches reports from people on here who have been unlucky enough to get one.

But, there are some quirks to the process that increases that cost.

First, the authorities will go to the rental car agency you rented from, your agency will turn over your contact info, and then charge you $40 to $50 for the effort.

Second, some time in a month to a year, you will get a notification in the mail with details on the fine and how to pay. Enough time likely passed that you will need to pay an elevated fee for being over some time period.

Third, ZTL infractions are based on incidence. There was one poor soul who racked up three of them within the course of an hour in Pisa, repeatedly entering and leaving the zone.

The cost of ZTL infraction does not vary by localities, it's established nationally by art 7 of the Vehicle Code. It's now from €87 to €344. The amount starts with the minimum, but it's discounted by 30% if paid within 5 days. If one contests a fine, and files a recourse with the Judge of Peace or Prefect, but loses the case, the amount is automatically doubled. There are also admin costs added for the notification at home (I think it's about 12€ for residents in Italy, not sure for foreign residents). Obviously if not paid within 60 days from the notification, the amount due increases (I think 10% every 60 days).

If you want to stay out of trouble keep an eye on this sign (a round white sign with red border means all motor vehicles prohibited in all directions).

However, ZTL violations are not the only things you have to watch out in Italy. Much more pernicious are the Speed Cameras, which are ubiquitous, especially on the stretches or highways where people are most likely to press on the accelerator. Italian authorities use the speed cameras like ATMs. They don't place them in the roads where there are most fatal accidents (those would be at intersections), but rather in the stretches or road where there is maximum chance of maximizing the revenue. Therefore always use Waze (which shows you the symbol of speed cameras on the map), learn the Waze speed camera symbols, and slow down before passing a speed camera.

How much are ZTL fines? (OK with cost in euros or dollars.) I see numerous references to ZTLs are huge fines - would like to see an actual number. Are they the same in most Tuscan towns or vary from town to town?

Roberto gave a good answer. I'm responding because I see this subject pop up fairly often. Some of the posts are horror stories where people complain about the hundreds of dollars in fines they incur.

After reading these and other stories about driving in Italy, I was on the verge of cancelling our car rental and completely changing our trip. Luckily, I took many of those stories with a grain of salt and balanced them with stories of positive experiences. We had a wonderful time staying at a Tuscan agriturismo and driving around the region. We had absolutely no problems and incurred no speeding tickets or ZTL fines.

I did research before we left and familiarized myself with signage and traffic rules. I found all ZTLs clearly marked and easily avoided. We did choose to take the bus to Florence to avoid driving in the city, but we always stay outside metropolitan cities and commute in if we have a car. We assumed anywhere within the walls of a Tuscan hill town was ZTL and found plenty of places to park outside. I think ZTLs are wonderful for sightseeing since you can pretty much roam without having to worry about traffic.

In almost every instance where there's a horror story about ZTLs, it's because the violator didn't do their homework. As for speeding, I found that strictly observing the posted limits kept me out of trouble. Who wants to zip through the gorgeous scenery anyway?

Thank you, everyone. Much appreciated

Very helpful information. Thanks.