ZTL zones, fines and car hire in Italy: what to know before you drive

ZTLs are historic-centre zones you may enter only with a permit, enforced by cameras at the gates. Entering without a permit costs €83 to €332 (art. 7). With a rental car the renter is liable: the ticket must be served within 90 days, 360 for people living abroad, and paying within 5 days gives a 30% discount.

Official sources read on October 18, 2026.

Find a rental car

The rules

Each municipality sets the boundaries and hours of its ZTL: that is why they differ from city to city.Source: Codice della Strada, art. 7
Entering a ZTL without a permit costs €83 to €332; in paid ZTLs the fee is added for each 24 hours.Source: Codice della Strada, art. 7
Gate cameras issue fines without stopping the car: the ticket arrives by post.Source: Codice della Strada, art. 201
The ticket must be served within 90 days; for people living abroad within 360 days.Source: Codice della Strada, art. 201
For self-drive rental cars the renter is liable, instead of the owner.Source: Codice della Strada, art. 196
Paying within 5 days of notification gives a 30% discount; within 60 days you pay the minimum.Source: Codice della Strada, art. 202
EU countries exchange offence data: the fine can reach you at home abroad.Source: Your Europe (Unione europea)

City by city

Rome · Historic Centre ZTL by day Mon-Fri 6:30-18:00 and Sat 14:00-18:00; at night Fri and Sat 23:00-3:00.Source: Roma Servizi per la Mobilità
Milan · Paid Area C Mon-Fri 7:30-19:30; standard ticket €7.50.Source: Comune di Milano
Florence · Sectors A, B and O Mon-Fri 7:30-20:00 and Sat 7:30-16:00, gates reading number plates.Source: Comune di Firenze
Naples · Centro Antico ZTL with four camera gates: without a permit the fine is automatic.Source: Comune di Napoli
Bologna · ZTL enforced every day 7-20; without a permit you buy a digital ticket: €6 a day, €15 for four days.Source: Comune di Bologna
Palermo · Daytime ZTL Mon-Fri 8:00-20:00; night ZTL Fri and Sat, until 6:00.Source: AMAT Palermo (Comune di Palermo)
Venice · Leave the car at Piazzale Roma or Tronchetto; the historic centre is reached by vaporetto or People Mover.Source: Comune di Venezia
Lecce · Historic-centre gates off on weekdays 10:00-13:00 and 16:30-20:00, active at other times; closed on Sundays and holidays.Source: Comune di Lecce
Bari · The ZTL covers the whole Old Town, with gates around it.Source: AMTAB (Comune di Bari)
Catania · Historic-centre ZTL and pedestrian areas (Piazza Duomo, Via Etnea) active 24 hours a day.Source: AMTS Catania (Comune di Catania)

Driving rules

Limits: 130 km/h on motorways, 110 on main roads outside towns, 90 on other roads outside towns, 50 in towns; in rain 110 and 90.Source: Codice della Strada, art. 142
In the first three years of licence: maximum 100 km/h on motorways and 90 on main roads outside towns.Source: Codice della Strada, art. 117
Alcohol: limit 0.5 g/l; zero for drivers under 21 or with a licence held for less than three years.Source: Codice della Strada, art. 186-bis
Outside towns, lights on even by day (or daytime running lights).Source: Codice della Strada, art. 152
In the car you need your licence, the registration document (for rental cars a certified copy is enough) and insurance.Source: Codice della Strada, art. 180

Tolls

On motorways you take a ticket at the entrance and pay at the exit, by distance.Source: Autostrade per l'Italia
Blue lanes: cards only (credit or debit), no PIN. White lanes: cash. Yellow lanes with a «T»: electronic toll devices only.Source: Autostrade per l'Italia
If you do not pay at the booth you get an unpaid-toll report to settle at no extra cost within 15 days.Source: Autostrade per l'Italia

Frequently asked questions

What happens if I enter a ZTL with a rental car?

The camera records the plate, the municipality asks the rental company for your details and the ticket reaches the renter: by law the renter is liable (art. 196).

How much is a ZTL fine?

€83 to €332 (art. 7), plus notification costs; paying within 5 days gives a 30% discount.

When does the fine arrive?

Within 90 days of when the municipality can identify you; if you live abroad, within 360 days (art. 201).

How do I pay motorway tolls?

At the exit: blue lanes by card without PIN, white lanes in cash; yellow lanes with a «T» are for toll devices only.