Best way to pay traffic fine

Oh boy....IMHO it's best to have him figure this out and to pay for his mistakes (you're way too nice of a Mom). I would tell him to follow the instructions on the ticket (use Google translate if needed).

Since you are planning how to go about this, I hope your son at the very least is paying for it himself. Good life lesson.

Camille, the instructions on the ticket probably quote an "IBAN" somewhere. This is an "International Bank account number" which is a long number, starting with "IT" for Italy. This is the number your bank will need, plus whatever reference is quoted to make sure the money is credited to the correct fine.
People who have bank accounts in countries that use the IBAN system can send money directly and cheaply to any IBAN account in any country using electronic banking, which is why they put the IBAN on the ticket. Unfortunately for you the USA is not part of the IBAN system.

P.S., you don't say, but I assume this was a ticket from somewhere in Italy.

Yes, this is a ticket from Italy and he is paying the fine. I'm a nice mom, but not that nice.
There is an IBAN code on the summons, but if the US does not participate, I guess this is if no use to me.
So, I am guessing the best way to pay is a bank check in euro. The summons did include a mailing label.

It has been mentioned a couple of times on this board that there is a service that will handle at least some European traffic fines by transferring the funds for you at a more reasonable charge than your bank will hit you with. I don't have any further details, but you might try Googling "Pay Italian traffic fine" or something like that.

"USA is not part of the IBAN system".

I have no idea what Chris means, but I do know that US banks can transfer money directly to Europe into an account with an IBAN code. We have done it several times (Chase bank).

The problem that most people encounter with the traffic fines is that the notice does not have a phone number, and the US bank wants a phone number for the recipient of the transfer.

I have also used the IBAN number to transfer funds directly to an Italian bank from a US bank. It can be done, and is much less expensive than some other methods.

I once had to pay a traffic ticket to the City of Venice in Euros to their checking account. Their radar camera on the causeway going over to the island doesn't give any leeway for 1.2 mph over their 35 mph speed limit. The fine was something like $166.

There are European bill payment services that can be found on Google. They can charge your U.S. Visa account and forward the funds in Euros via wire transfer. I don't recall how much their service fee was, but it was very reasonable in cost.

transferwise.com is much cheaper than a bank to wire money

Thank you everyone. Went to the bank and they were able to make the transaction with the IBAN code. $35 sdditional fee. Expensive lesson to learn. I'm sure my son will be very aware of not speeding while driving in Italy!

Camille, fines are also given for parking illegally, driving in a restricted traffic zone, driving in a taxi or bus lane; he should be aware of those, too. Also, multiple fines can accrue within the same zone.

camille,

For future reference, your son might consider using the excellent rail system next time. However there are some potentially expensive "caveats" to be aware of with public transit in Italy too, so he'll need to be aware of those.

How on earth do I pay for a fine when no IBAN or account information is provided?? No bank details are listed on the fine sent to me coming from the Commune di Capaci (Sicily...surprise, surprise). (Worst of all, I wasn't even driving, nor was I even in the car!) I'd like to pay so that I'm not banned from entering Italy in the future. Thanks

You received a letter from the Comune di Capaci with no iban? Did I get it right?

It is a registered letter on the headed paper of the Comune di Capaci giving all the info about how to appeal, about the discount if you pay within five days etc. but there is no Iban! Right?

You are sure it isn't a letter from the rental agency, but it's from the Comune. Right?

I'm asking because a letter that doesn't say how to pay within the legal deadline would be a reason to get the fine cancelled; no city would ever make such a silly mistake.

Capaci's bank is Unicredit, may it help?