Also, you have to add the costs of the proceedings. Did you break the law? One common reason local drivers don't slow for some cameras is that a good percentage of the devices are inactive and only folks who follow local news would know. From Hertz. You can read all the rules inArt. According toArt. I don't trust that even if we were to wire the money today, that the ticket would be cleared by next Saturday. There is no way to anticipate Italian traffic tickets. But if you dont do it within 10 days, the ticket is still considered notified. In the meantime, you will still be able to go to the Prefect or Giudice di Pace. Mostly because cops send registered letters to foreign offenders. Posted on Feb 20, 2010. While the contractual limitation period is 10 years, a period of 5 years normally applies to penalties regulated by the Road Traffic Code. On a side note- a comment above comparing a ZTL tix to a speeding tix- two entirely different things, and Im sure no one wants to break the law on purpose - ZTLs can be confusing for tourists who may accidently drive thru one. I figure this money comes out of my vacation fund, because it was a vacation expense! In these cases, you have to send a letter to the police asking for proof of notification. 28, n. 689/1981).The rules are different for Italian nationals. @petanokona - we are in that situation now. So, make sure to always check the picture before making any decision. A foreign fine will never affect your driving record. The registered letter must be sent without an envelope. Europcar advised me to use the web link http://info.myfines.it to pay the fine and indicated on the ticket. I just received another one (#5) from the Comune di Milano Polizia Locale. Although by law they cannot do so beyond the statute of limitations (which varies from State to State). The good part is they have no way of affecting your driving record here in the US. And if you put road safety at risk by not paying, you could get a fine up to7953. A few posts that collectively violated Guideline #8 (re breaking laws) were removed. Thats what happened to me the last time I got a speedy ticket in Italy while driving back to Siena from Montalcino one foggy evening. But from the moment authoritieshand overthe ticket to the post office for delivery. Most of the time, you dont need to register to pay online. Yes? As for non-EU residents, it depends on whether your country has legal agreements with Italy. In the US wire transfers most definitely are not. They are only justified if it is too difficult to identify the vehicle owner. Maybe in your never-ending need to correct the rest of us, you can find an article. @Darius, man, you have the art of sarcasm and belittlement down to a tee. As stated inArt. So my partner was registered as alternate driver. These are the most common types of tickets in Italy: If you are a tourist, the chances are that you got one of those fines. That was the fee for telling authorities your name and address. Then, click on the search barcerca spedizioniand put the registered mail number. In this case, you have60 daysfrom the date of receipt to contest the ticket. Speed limits depend on the type of road, vehicle, and environmental conditions. You cant get distracted when driving in a large city. Also, you will get a refund of all expenses. I rented Hertz car in late March 2016 in Florence, Italy for 3 days. The count of these days starts when they receive your name and address from the rental agency. The time limit starts from the date you retire it. They must be precise and not just refer to traffic rules generically. Its great to see that EU authorities have created a more user-friendly platform. You both did the crime, so split the fine. Even though I tried my best to avoid breaking any Italian traffic laws, I did accidentally end up in restricted zones twice. However, not all reasons are valid in the courts. Avvo Rating: 10. Dont remember exactly where I got that data from, but check the article below on Florence daily La Nazione, (starting on the 5th line). It even gave me the option to inform them that I have already paid (which I did). But the causeway from Mestre to Venice is a 2 lanes straight road with "50 kms" speed limits clearly posted and "camera ahead" warning signs well before the speed traps. There is no loop hole to jump through. Here is what you should check on your Italian traffic fine: Make sure to check if theIBANcorresponds to an Italian municipality.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'italianviaggio_com-small-square-1','ezslot_28',681,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-italianviaggio_com-small-square-1-0'); You have the right to request a photo of the exact moment you committed the offense. In case the car rental company pays your fine, you dont lose the right of defense. petanokona, more and more cities sell unpaid fines to international collection agencies. Hello. I know this won't soften the blow of the traffic fines, but the delayed billing is how the Italians do many billings. So I have a question for some of the responders on this post. From thedate of ascertainment, authorities must notify the fine within90 days. Hoping to get the 30% reduced rate, but I'm sure I've passed the deadline at this point. I was told by one of the residents the morning after that I was illegally parked and would likely get a ticket. In this way, you will only have to pay the original amount and no longer double. Fines are paid on the spot. OK, I've read all of the above posts. The sending agency was from The Netherlands. Went to the local bank and transferred the funds. Did you notice 5 charges from the rental company on your credit card? It taught me that no matter how careful you try to be, you may still end up with traffic violations when driving in different counties. I don't know whether you found an inexpensive way to wire money to cover the first ticket. Much appreciated for any advises. There is a section to make a note about the transaction after you have confirmed it. 2023 Rick Steves' Europe, Inc. | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy, https://cdn-01.media-brady.com/store/stit/media/catalog/product/cache/8/image/85e4522595efc69f496374d01ef2bf13/1533602043/d/m/dmeu_tc40_03_1_std.lang.all.gif, https://thecreditbureau.com/2016/07/credit-agencies-stop-reporting-unpaid-tickets/, https://accountcontrol.com/NewsResources/UnpaidTicketsTrafficViolationsAreNoLongerReportable.aspx. Italy has speed limits and loves speed cameras. I never drove in an area that other drivers were not next to me doing the same thing. With all the horror stories around the web, anyone would think twice before hitting the road. If you do, you only need to add your details and the amount to pay. And today, enforcement of speed limits comes via electronic cameras (like the one in the photo below). Sometimes municipalities may even try to collect the debt by themselves. The truth is, nobody likes getting a traffic ticket. My relatives in Europe tell me that the Italians are notorious for sending such notices and that I should ignore them. I got a ticket in Modena for driving in a "Bus Only" lane, even though the other lanes were closed for construction and signage directed me to merge into the bus lane. In case you are in Italy, you have to fill out abollettino postale. For example, you would lose five points if you drive in Italy without a seat belt but three in Spain. There is a 12-month statute of limitations on traffic tickets in Alabama, as they are misdemeanor offenses. If you have just received them, the next week-end will be well within the 55 days you have to either pay (with no 30% discount) or appeal. As to repercussions, I don't think anyone knows exactly as the sharing of information is changing and expanding so could be different tomorrow than today and today different than yesterday. If you want to stop hassling, consider using Transferwise. Yeah, not so much on the google bit (5 December, 2018). Also, you dont have to pay for anything except the cost of the registered letter. I would have paid it immediately if there was an easy way to pay but there wasn't. The debt collector must notify the collection notice within2 years. Ive emailed them about how to make these changes stop and for me to pay the tickets and havent heard back. For example, if they sent the envelope on the359thday but you received ittwo monthslater, it is still on the rule. Wire transfers are free, credit cards not. Then, your vehicle will appear in the database as authorized. The Cops will send one registered letter per charge on your credit card. Or are you reading 03-11 as March 11, when Europeans put day first and then month- November 3. Wanted to understand where the renter stands as the notice of payment from the police has been sent well in excess of 360 days after police were informed of identity of car renter. Most of the time, tourists confuse it with a payment receipt. We had a speeding ticket that was received 6 months laterso we had to pay the highest charge. Although the ticket seemed extremely high, over 75 euros, I acknowledged that I had violated their restriction and paid the fine. If the ticket remains unpaid it does not stop and remains on your record indefinitely. What Happens If You Dont Pay a Fine in Italy? Three months later, we got the same kind of dunning letter, along with a threat from Europcar that if we didn't pay it, they'd bill our credit card. Because the hotel, which also includes a restaurant, had expanded its outdoor dining, the courtyard where I used to park my rental was now closed off. Theonly requirementis to display your badge. This one only will let us wire the money). Driving in Italy: Do Rental Cars Have GPS Navigation? By Rebecca Pirius, Attorney. Paying them was a lot more confusing than I expected (on their website), but it's done and feels good being done and legal and honest. According toOrder N. 12/2017, it is legal not to communicate your details. If you go back to Italy during this 5 year period, the possibility they might catch up with you is very slim. Unfortunately that meant several other posts that replied became completely out of context. 7 CdS, you can get a fine from80to323. We've had several good conversations with locals. The time limit runs from the notification date and doesnt suspend the days to appeal. By law, you have the right to see that pic, again I really doubt Pisa's cops sent an unlawful notice only to you. It doesn't leave a good impression to say the least! You did not pay because you thought you could cheat the system, but don't use such excuses and don't call the methods of payments I mentioned "jumping through hoops". We used Google maps for all directions and to locate parking lots, hotels, etc. Also, you need an active bank account if you want to use the website to pay online. And before Darius piles the "you should have reported your merge to Hertz so they could alert the authorities", why would I do that when the Comune di Modena was the entity that placed merge signs for regular motorists? If you do live in America and choose not to pay, the credit collection agency will simply contact you and possibly make empty threats until you pay. Apart from the possible consequences, you may lose your peace of mind. The request must be made to the competent Justice of Peace. Frankly it would be more logical to expect big US banks that make billions to enter the 21 st century. Lessons: (a) rental car companies are not customer-service oriented and looking to make a buck, and (b) Italian administration leaves a little to be desired. It is possible to bring it to the prefectures office as well. |. Why is it called pepperoni pizza (when peppers [seemingly] have nothing to do with it)? When the Statute of Limitations Starts Running and When It Stops I just received two tickets from Pisa and just paid them - I was just BARELY under the 60 days. It is possible to contest the Prefects decision to the Judge. Now in June 2019 I have been reported to said California Collection agency. My step-son is stationed in Italy with the military, living off-base. So, you have to choose between paying or continuing, not both. It is not possible to add more reasons after you send the appeal. If you do not give any notice of your absence, the fine will be validated. Each letter was from the local police authority in the two different cities where the violations occurred. The Georgia Supreme Court reversed the Court of Appeals in February 2020 and held that even though the tolling features of OCGA Sec. I'm a little worried about all of this. Those were also removed to prevent confusion for others reading along. Then almost a year later (nearly at the 360 day limit) we (me) received another notice for a parking violation for not paying a parking meter. However, it is very risky to appeal without one. Speed limits are generally well positioned and visible. You are listed as driver. The day you get the ticket in the mail? Heres what you have to enter: There is a commission fee of2,00per transaction. Also, the car rental supplier will notify you of the ticket in advance. The time limit starts from the date the municipality outsources the agency. Basically, you cant enter these zones if you dont have a special permit. t.verge Thanks for any advice on how to avoid them. ZTL stands forZona Traffico Limitatoin Italian. Afterward, the police will inform you of the Prefects decision. Province of Grosseto didn't send the latter fine till February 2016 which I paid immediately by wire transfer the next day. That is not good practice either. As American wine professionals have begun to travel to Italy again, it was inevitable that they would inadvertently commit a traffic infraction or two. With the ordinancen. 26843, the Supreme Court of Cassation confirmed it.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'italianviaggio_com-vertical-banner-2','ezslot_38',806,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-italianviaggio_com-vertical-banner-2-0'); 10 Surprising Reasons Why Driving in Italy Can Be Difficult. Morally you agreed to their rules and choose to drive in their country, if you broke the rules you should pay the fine. I did rent from Europcar and opted to get the telepass rental thing. I think we will stick to the trains! It is hands down the cheapest method to send money abroad. We are very careful to follow all the laws no matter what. Another option is to just pay for paid parking. Just noticed my email today, an email you can easily ignore (with unknown language title and content), I knew about ZTL and I was all the time trying to avoid it, I don't even know where is the location I got this ticket, only know it happened in Bologna, while in other city(Milan) I google every step and pay for so call area C ticket, and all the 20 days I travel in Italy trying to do everything right and follow the rules, the parking, the highway, the speed, still I manage to get this. You can also request the cancelation of the paper you find on your windshield. Thats about1802violations per day. I'm not perfect. When we checked in, I was told that I would have to registered as main driver because I booked it; otherwise we could not use the reservation. Then, enter your basic demographics and choose your payment method. With all the traffic, you may dont see bus lane signs. You must and specify why the ticket is not valid on plain paper. You cant park in restricted zones unless your hotel allows it. I'm happy for your step-son, but sadly the rest of Italy receives utility bills every 2 months. Post where it happened, I bet google news is full of links about it, with the Mayor apologies and so on. We will be in Italy for a month and I dont want to accidentally wander into these zones on the daily and end up bankrupt. When you signed the contract, you agreed with its conditions. (LogOut/ There is no need to have a lawyer. Well, when in Rome Wire transfers are usually free for both sides all over Europe, sometimes they are free only for the receiver.
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