The issue around the period of limitation in relation to motorway tolls in Italy is not unequivocally regulated. For example, you would lose five points if you drive in Italy without a seat belt but three in Spain. He takes a monthly photos of his utility meters, and whenever the HUGE utility bills do come, he's prepared. If the violation is not contested on the spot, the police may ask for the drivers details. Use the rounding rule.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'italianviaggio_com-banner-1','ezslot_23',670,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-italianviaggio_com-banner-1-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'italianviaggio_com-banner-1','ezslot_24',670,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-italianviaggio_com-banner-1-0_1');.banner-1-multi-670{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:7px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:7px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:250px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}. However, you cant make the payment unless you personally go to the office. It is possible to contest the Prefects decision to the Judge. This site is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. The worse is that the computerized photography only showed licenses plate. If you know that you are right, dont let anyone scare you and go for it. However, I dont drive in large European cities. Remember that you have to count from the next day you received the ticket. Even so, we found we were entering one during a trip to Firenze. And yes. However, not all reasons are valid in the courts. We relax. According to Art. Did you drive into any city center without a permit? When the law says ascertainment, it relates to the day of the offense. And here I was thinking we were safe since two years had passed since we drove in Italy. Im inclined to ignore it as well. It seems impossible that I have committed any traffic offense in either of these locations. Using fines as an ATM machines to collect money from people is not a problem only in Italian cities and towns, as you can read below: https://thehill.com/opinion/judiciary/391449-american-courts-should-not-be-turned-into-revenue-machines, https://www.caranddriver.com/features/a15104884/traffic-tickets-have-become-a-tax-hack-pile-on-column/. They can be cost. Then yesterday, I got the traffic ticket in the mail. But debts arising from fines (even those issued by US jurisdictions) are not reported to the credit bureaus and US Courts do not enforce foreign judgements relating to fines, penalties, tax judgements, child support, spousal alimony, therefore the collection agency cannot take you to court. Has anyone on here personally used TransferWise to wire money for a traffic violation? 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. I received a violation in October, 2008 (nearly 4 years ago) and I am now being hounded by a US-based collections agency for payment. The statute of limitations on traffic fines in Italy is 5 years from the day the violation was notified. Was he driving there at the beginning of November? -I rented from Avis (Milan Airport). Authorities will send the fine to the actual offender or vehicle owner. Thanks very much! See answer (1) Best Answer. You can choose from these two options if you received the notice: Bus lanes are called corsie preferenziali in Italy. In fact, what matters is the shipping date of the envelope. I am a law-abiding person and my husband and I will pay our dues if they are legit, but I have no way to prove my innocence years after the fact, so my word against theirs. If it ends on a public holiday or Sunday, it is delayed to the next business day. I think we will stick to the trains! No problem in other European countries. However, it will be notified to your home at your expense. Admissibility Declared admissible on 8 June 2012. You need to read your ticket carefully before making any decision. They have zones where only those living inside the ZTL can drive in. Its easy to justify yourself by saying they are a scam. We always have paid our traffic tickets from other countries. Now this. Hoping to get the 30% reduced rate, but I'm sure I've passed the deadline at this point. The registered letter must be sent without an envelope. They have 360 days from the day your credit card was charged to do it. petanokona, more and more cities sell unpaid fines to international collection agencies. He did a semester abroad starting in September of 2018. You will find what to do in any situation, including ticket loss. I paid it via wire transfer (as that was the only option available according to this particular police department). You probably received the notification from an international collection agency. Better not to drive in unfamiliar urban territory. But Americans regard use of the car as the national Badge of Adulthood. Nor have I wondered about why they never ask: "Have you driven this make/model of car?" Driving in Italy: Do Rental Cars Have GPS Navigation? Heres what municipalities often ask to enter: If the municipality doesnt offer that service, simply send an email to it. You will find it under the barcode at the top of your ticket. My guess is that an American Company will have a hard time trying to collect any money on something that is so vague and (at the time of writing this message) is now 3 years old. Every semester, the ticket will rise by 10% due to interest. I lived in Italy for 2 years and get the exclusion zones. I would first contact the clerk's office in the . In fact, each violation is considered a stand-alone conduct. When driving in Italy, I notice that many drivers seems to ignore the speeding enforcement cameras. Small towns usually dont turn debts over to a collection agency.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'italianviaggio_com-portrait-2','ezslot_20',803,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-italianviaggio_com-portrait-2-0'); Traffic tickets are mutually recognized across the EU due to theDecision 2005/214/JHA. So, you have to choose between paying or continuing, not both. Thanks. Texans who spent years unable to renew their driver's licenses over unpaid, and for some - unaffordable, traffic tickets pleaded with lawmakers Tuesday to repeal a state program dating back to 1996. You still have a chance to get most of your fines canceled. If you dont know how to calculate them, you may end up making an unfounded appeal. Frankly it would be more logical to expect big US banks that make billions to enter the 21 st century. Did you break the law? They need to know who the real offender was in order to deduct the points. Next, enter the listed information of the ticket in each blank field. ), Unauthorized access to ZTLs, bus lanes, historical centers, and pedestrian areas, Violations detected with devices managed by the police, Date of the infraction (year, month, day, and approximated hour), Authority and office that issued the infringement (e.g: Polizia Municipale di), The reporting officer who detected the infraction, Signature of the agents who issued the fine, Place of the infringement (city and street), Vehicle data (license plate number, model, type, etc. In this case, you have60 daysfrom the date of receipt to contest the ticket. What is the statute of limitations on a traffic ticket (moving violation) received in Italy? In case you send the letter to the authority that issued the ticket, it will have180 days.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[120,600],'italianviaggio_com-netboard-1','ezslot_15',610,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-italianviaggio_com-netboard-1-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[120,600],'italianviaggio_com-netboard-1','ezslot_16',610,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-italianviaggio_com-netboard-1-0_1');.netboard-1-multi-610{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:15px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:15px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:600px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}. Two months later Hertz charged my credit card for 43 euros for fine handeling fee. People really like the idea of all the extra "freedom" rental vehicles provide. (I suspected something amiss at the time as there was little traffic and mostly only pedestrians on the streets I was driving on.) Everysix months, the penalty increases by10%for late payment interests. So, I inspire you to have some patience and read this article carefully. However, Pisa doesn't need to know that you were notified. There is a website for the small towns police department where I was able to look up the violation and see the photo they took of our rental car. Parking is one of the biggest issues that drivers have in Italy. Obviously, you can assert your rights if you believe the fine is wrong. Makes me wonder if people who have posted about TransferWise are just trying to promote the service Transferwise is very trusted in the expat community when we want to transfer money between the home bank and the foreign bank. If you dont pay an Italian traffic fine within 60 days, it will become an enforcement order. Some comments make it sound like you are bound to get one. It is just a warning to notify you in advance of the infraction and avoid extra costs. If it is your first transaction with Transferwise, it may take a few days to go through as the company needs to verify everything. To avoid the fine, this must inform the infractors data to authorities within60 days. The purpose of a statute of limitations is to avoid being charged with a crime years after it occurred. Your request must be written in Italian and on plain paper. If you want to keep your Italian license points, you can choose to stay anonymous and pay. I'm happy for your step-son, but sadly the rest of Italy receives utility bills every 2 months. Stop calling anything different (and better) a scam would also be appreciated. 142 CdS):Speed RangeAdministrative SanctionUp to 10 km/km41 to 169Between 10 km/h to 40 km/h169 to 680Between 40 km/h to 60 km/h532 to 2,127More than 60 km/h829 to 3,316, All the machines automatically apply a5%leeway. Months later, back in the USA, didn't the utility company sent him the same final bill, repeatedly, trying to collect on the balance he had paid before he left. Sisal betting shops work similarly to Lottomatica.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'italianviaggio_com-square-2','ezslot_34',684,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-italianviaggio_com-square-2-0'); The best way to pay for Italian traffic tickets online is by wire transfer. Our fault. We are also 67 and 70. As the OP, I can report that I did indeed pay the two tickets I received. My understanding is that the police have 360 days to send by registered post from the date they are informed of the identity of car renter. The authorities must notify the owners of the car within 90 days of the infraction. ), Type of infraction (article number or a short description), Causal (ticket code, date of detection, and license plate), Personal information (your name, surname, address, etc. I have found driving in Italy to be frustrating as well. In fact, you must also present a formal or substantial defect. The only risk is if you were involved in an accident in the same jurisdiction where you got the fine and your name came up, but even that is doubtful. In fact, each violation is considered astand-aloneconduct. It is fairly easy to fall into a ZTL, especially if you are a tourist. You must apply to the Prefect of the city where you committed the violation. Once the ticket (complaint) is filed, the statute of limitations becomes irrelevant. Well, when in Rome Wire transfers are usually free for both sides all over Europe, sometimes they are free only for the receiver. OK, I've read all of the above posts. There may be an extra2,5%commission fee on the total amount for online payments.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'italianviaggio_com-leader-3','ezslot_9',685,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-italianviaggio_com-leader-3-0'); If you choose to pay with any online service, you need to count the terms differently. Fast forward, the Italian crooks have hired an Italian Attorney to collect the debt and informed me that the fine of 217euros is now 267euros and must be paid within 15days. You must and specify why the ticket is not valid on plain paper. About 4 weeks ago, I received a traffic ticket for passing thru restricted area from Florence police in mail. Europcar advised me to use the web link http://info.myfines.it to pay the fine and indicated on the ticket. It is a system to facilitate the cross-border exchange of information between each Member State. But the legal owner must respond to traffic violations together with the offender. You will be fine using your email to proceed with the payment. There wasn't any indication that we went somewhere we weren't supposed to. This is the downside for sure - European tickets. I did tons of research to help you solve your problem. If you cant see any of the two, just visit thePoste Italianewebsite. We had proof we had paid it, but three emails to Europcar, 2 phone calls (1 to the police by a native speaker, one to Europcar), and a letter later (to the police), complete with the evidence, and they still were hounding us. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Most traffic offenses in Texas are classified as Class C misdemeanors, considered a minor type of criminal offense. If the time between each infraction is just afew minutes, the Judge might consider it a single behavior. 204 CdS, you cant do both at the same time.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,600],'italianviaggio_com-vertical-banner-1','ezslot_37',693,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-italianviaggio_com-vertical-banner-1-0'); Self-protection allows you to report an error directly to the municipality. My husband and I have traveled and driven all over the world without an issue; in countries with very strict rules and sketch situations with military and checkpoints. Cops have 360 days to send a registered letter from the day the rental agency charged your credit card and gave them your name and address. No? We have had wonderful experiences in Europe that would have been extremely difficult if not impossible to have without renting a car. But dont get confused; this is not the actual fine. If the last day is a holiday, it is extended to the next working day. If you do, you only need to add your details and the amount to pay. I didn't pay it since I couldn't do it without jumping through hoops. May I ask you where did you find these data? I don't know the laws of Italy well enough to give firm advice, but in Denmark where I live, I can negotiate an agreement to pay in installments if I can persuade the police that I have troubles paying. Are you sure both fines are for a ZTL violation? The directive also allows the enforcement of foreign debts. I understand it was my fault that I drives into wrong zone and I had pay for the fine, but definitely the worst experience to holiday oversea, beautiful country but the italian really not friendly and welcome to tourist, would definitely not going back anymore. The Judge is great when it is difficult to prove the invalidity of the fine. The ticketed driver must respond to their ticket within 15 days of the offense. We talk to the other persons there in the compartment. Alternatively, you can send the letter to the command that issued the fine. If you live in the US nothing happens if you dont pay. I'm tempted to see how far they will go though, undecided at this point. Can You Ignore A Traffic Ticket From Italy? Another option is to type the details of the infringement into the machine. I should not be penalized for the offense that I didnt do. The other top infraction is the encroachment of the dreadedZTL or zona [a] traffico limitato, the limited traffic zone (dreaded even by Italians). Just see if the ticket is fair or not. Yes, a two month billing cycle is the norm for Italian utilities, from electricity to gas to land line telephone. How would I know which part of the process was delayed beyond its limit, whether it is the authorities who are at fault or someone else? They are costly, time-consuming, and sometimes unfair. Nothing! I'll keep that in mind in the future. 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. You can use simple language without being too formal. Pay it. Also, you need to attach a valid form of identification. The owners of the car, the rental company, must then respond within 60 days with the information on who was driving the car at that time. Some people are terrified of the idea of driving in Italy. Both havetelematic doorsto detect unauthorized vehicles. But how can you deal with them? From the day you committed the violation? Ignoring a traffic ticket doesn't make it eventually go away. They must be precise and not just refer to traffic rules generically. Also, remember thata man reaps what he sows.. 1 day after renting, weary of Italians, I canceled my credit card.