Driving Fines in Italy

That is the 64 dollar question. Nobody really knows. The getting of the ticket is constantly discussed on this site. No one has reported any direct experience with not paying. But you will find some strong opinion about paying or not paying. Some have reported that the rental company has actually charged their credit card for the fine plus an administrative fee for turning your information over to the Italians. To prevent that you might want to cancel that credit card. Some have suggested it might be turned over to a US collection agency but it would difficult in an Am court to get a judgment against you. But you don't want that on your credit report either. In this age of computers and massive data bases I am sure they would have some way of keeping track and, again, no one knows what will happen when you return. How about test case for the site?

....And cancelling a credit card really would do no good. Since the card was valid at the time of the original transaction, the Rental company can continue to levy legitimate charges related to that transaction, regardless of whether the card is still active. The credit card company will not hesitate to pass the bill to you, and may pass along a hefty fee for the service as well.

As Frank says, so far we don't know the ramifications of not paying. The real question should be: If you committed a driving offense, why would you think of not paying? I realize many of the "offenses" seem minor or silly to us, such as the ZTL's, but it's the law and you are liable for it. I have heard that some rental companies will pay the fine and charge it back to your CC, but mostly it seems they only charge you a fee for giving your contact information to the authorities. Don't be surprised to see that fee show up on your statement soon.

"To prevent that you might want to cancel that credit card." Since Patty has received her violation notices, the car rental agency has long ago given her information to the authorities, and as Douglas says, no doubt has already charged an administrative fee to her card. The toothpaste is out of the tube. Patty - since you're returning to Italy some day, consider this scenario: you get pulled over, the officer "runs" your drivers license or IDP, your unpaid fine pops up on his squad car computer screen, and he wants you to pay the old fine (plus penalties?) on the spot. Remember, the police now have all the info you gave the original rental agency, including your license information.

If a traveler from Italy got a ticket in America I would expect him or her to pay it and I did the same when I got one in Pisa.

Paul - I'm not sure that is a correct staetment. Regardless, you should pay the fine. You don't want to be an Ugly American, do you?

I think Paul is correct. Even after you have canceled a credit card, the company keeps the account on file and will re-activate it in this type of situation.

The Ron in Rome blog has an excellent article on ZLT fines. Part of the issue for many people is in determining whether they have a legitimate fine. Based on his experience it sounds like this can be difficult for an Italian let alone someone living in the USA that doesn't speak the language. You will have to decide how much time and effort you want to put into this. Whatever you decide, you will have to get it resolved before a return trip.

I accidentally drove into a restricted zone in Perugia in a rental car on a trip. I never saw the signage but nevertheless I received a charge on my credit card from Hertz 2 months after I got home. I disputed the charge as I hadn't received any paperwork on it from anyone. I received a reply in Italian from the Italian authorities through Hertz explaining the violation and had to let the $100.00 charge stay in force. Ignorance of laws or languages is tough, but what else could I have done?

Steve - every car rental contract in Italy has a paragraph in which you authorize the rental company to charge you an administrative fee for providing your contact information to traffic authorities in the event you have a traffic violation. That $100 you were charged by Hertz is undoubtedly their administrative fee, NOT your traffic fine. You will receive your actual traffic ticket eventually, from the Italian authorities. They have up to a year to send it to you. It will include instructions as to how to pay the fine online.