We were in Pisa last year in October and have only now received an " Infringement of the Italian Highway Code" for circulating in restricted traffic zone without authorisation to the tune of 113 euros. It directed us to a photo but the sight said it was unavailable. It is only a photocopied sheet that looks very unofficial, but it was on the day and around the time that we were in Pisa so can only assume that it is real. I know this has been posted earlier in the year - several of the postings suggested not paying the fine - I was just wondering what has been the outcome of non payment and generally what others thought about paying or not paying. I dont mind paying if it is genuine but am concerned firstly that we can ensure payment actually gets to them and that we wont be sent another couple of fines if they get success with the first one. Look forward to hearing any thoughts.
Posted by
Fredericksburg, VA, USA
409 posts
Pam - See my recent post called "UH-OH....TICKETED IN AREZZO." You can read the wide range of (in some cases, emotional) opinions concerning the ticketing process and some thoughts as to what you should or shouldn't do. FYI, my Arezzo ticket still sits on my desk while I try to decide what to do.
Good luck!
Posted by
Wood Ridge
1 posts
I just received the same type of notice two years after my trip to Pisa. Based on the time and date it was within 5 minutes of having picked up the car at the airport. I actually did not drive into Pisa at all. As mentioned above the site with the picture was not available. The fine is 187 Euros. I am not sure what to do. I do go back to Italy several times a year but do not intend to drive there again.
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
click here to go to a topic that addresses this problem.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32213 posts
Pam,
At least at this point, the authorities don't seem to be following up on the fines or "flagging" people that haven't paid, so you should be safe returning to Italy (at least for now).
However, I'm sure the authorities are well aware of the revenue loss from unpaid fines, so in this wonderful age of computer technology there may be some linking to immigration computers at some point in the future.
Cheers!
Posted by
Carbondale, IL, USA
1201 posts
Actually, before that happens I think the authorities are going to get more agressive with the rental car companies.
When we were in Italy in 2008, our rental agreement had a clause for the fee to give your info to the proper authorities for infractions. BUT there was also a clause that gave the rental company the ability to charge your credit card for the fine as well if unpaid.
Some blogs seem to be reporting that Hertz was doing this already, but I have no personal experience one way or the other.
But it would seem that the Italian authorities would have a bit of leverage with a business actually in country. And if the rental company has a signed agreement that says they can charge your card, they certainly are not going to pay your fines from their operating budget.
Posted by
gaston, oregon, usa
842 posts
Wow! Thanks for the posts about Pisa. We were going to drive there for a day trip this May, but maybe I'll skip it.
I actually have been contemplating taking a colored license plate cover, to "trick" the camera, but I can just imagine what would happen if the Caribinari caught me with that covering the plates on the rental car.
My brother thru away the letters he got in the mail when they tried mailing him a ticket notice. (the rental car company charged him a fee, and told him, because they notified the authorities who was driving their car.)
He went back to Italy the next year and had no problem.
I am not advocating that type of approach, but just stating what happened in his situation.