Be wary of speeding violations in Florence, Italy. We rented a van for 6 passengers and were en route to drop off the van in Florence on 7/12/25. We got a UPS special delivery package on 11/5/25 notifying us that there was a traffic violation for exceeding the speed limit of 70 km per hour because our car was clocked at 72 km per hour! The fine was 57 euros if we paid within 5 days but double that amount if this amount was not remitted. An acquantaince had a similar experience in Rome. We've rented autos in Europe in the past in several countries without incident. I am posting this to warn future auto renters about the strict speeding violations in Italy.
Posted by
Huntsville, AL, USA
8443 posts
Those radar cameras give no leeway. And they are all over Italy cities. One got me on the causeway going out to Venice.
They probably want you to pay in Euros to a city checking account online. There are bill payment services in Europe that can charge your charge card and handle the transaction for you. And their service fee is not too bad.
Posted by
Twin Cities of MN
7803 posts
I've unfortunately done a little research on this. My credit union charged $40, Schwab's charge was $0 - $10, depending on your balances. I didn't check, but I'm told WISE is less expensive than a bank or credit union.
Posted by
Singapore
1060 posts
Jule M that is extraordinary! My bank doesn't charge for international transfers, and the exchange rate is very good- but it's a good point about using Wise (or Revolut is also good).
Posted by
Twin Cities of MN
7803 posts
Simon, I'm told bank transfers are very common in Europe and also New Zealand. I've had some hotels ask me to transfer from my bank account to theirs. They told me in New Zealand that they were surprised that the U.S. was "so behind". To me, I'm not sure that means we are behind. It does creep me out to give someone my bank account information, but I'm sure there are safeguards.
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
13111 posts
57 euro for 1 and 2/10ths mph over the limit. ??!! Really?
Looks more like a revenue grab than a traffic safety focus.
Posted by
Portsmouth
5873 posts
57 euro for 1 and 2/10ths mph over the limit. ??!! Really?
Looks more like a revenue grab than a traffic safety focus.
But a speed limit is a limit or where do you draw the line before issuing a fine? Is it 3 km over? 5? 10? Would the same argument apply to shoplifting? "But officer, it was only X amount of €".
A limit is a limit for a reason. I'm not saying I've never exceeded speed limits or escaped being fined but I simply kick myself, pay the fine and accept I had no-one to blame but myself.
Posted by
Wengen
3525 posts
You you get fined for 2 km over the speed limit that means you were probably doing a lot more. And your speedometer was probably showing at least 80.
The way those cameras work is that there is always an amount subtracted, because of the error margin.
Eg. Your speedometer shows 83, your car is doing 79, minus seven (a common value for the margin of error) and that gives 72. And that is what your find is based on.