Italy is a marvelous country to explore independently, but if you decide to rent a car during your visit, you need to know about ZTL restricted driving zones to avoid an unwelcome fine. In Italy, many of the historic cities and even smaller towns have limited vehicular access zones called Zona Traffico Limitato (ZTL) and venturing into one without expressed permission, even by accident, can be expensive.

ZTL Restricted Driving Zones

The purpose of ZTL restricted driving zones is to alleviate congestion and protect the aged structures of historical city centers from pollution and ensuing degradation. A fiscally fortuitous byproduct of the strictly enforced ZTL zones is a significant revenue stream for that city, so if you don’t want to contribute, you need to know what to look for when driving in Italy.

ZTL restricted driving zones are marked with signs that have an open red circle on a white background. Unfortunately, that’s about the only thing the signs have in common. Some indicate certain hours or days that the restriction is in place. Others may show types of vehicles that are allowed, as well as those not allowed, making it more confusing. Travel Maestro tip: As a tourist driving a rental car, it’s safest to assume you do not qualify, so stay out.

The zones are monitored by cameras that snap license plates and send out fines automatically, so if you cross the line without a permit, you get a ticket without recourse. Fines average about 65 euros; however, rental car companies normally charge an additional “Traffic Violation Fee” of about 25 euros. Violations of the ZTL zones are a lucrative source of income for Italian cities.

How to Avoid ZTL Restricted Driving Zones

Be careful who you follow. Locals may have permits to enter ZTL zones, but tourist and non-locals are not usually issued passes. Just because traffic is entering, doesn’t mean you can follow. Travel Maestro tip: If you inadvertently enter a ZTL restricted driving zone, advise your hotel or the first police you see. They may be able to report your license plate and stop the ticket from being sent.

Beware of GPS routings. ZTL zones are rarely included in GPS systems because each city determines their own ZTL rules and areas, and they may change at any time. Your GPS will route you the most efficient way, not taking the ZTL zones into consideration. Travel Maestro tip: “Drive” your route in advance with Google Maps Street View and look for the ZTL signs.

Different cities have different rules. In Milan, ZTL access depends on the environmental friendliness of your car. The ZTL area in Florence encompasses nearly all of the tourist zone, but certain streets are accessible. In some places, rental cars can get a pass for access, in others that’s not an option. Travel Maestro tip: Enquire about local ZTL access rules at your hotel. Knowing the rules in advance is much easier than trying to decipher Italian signs while driving narrow streets with the distractions of traffic, Vespas, and pedestrians.

Park the car. Consider using the excellent train system in Italy for day trips away from your home base. Or if you do drive, many medieval cities have public parking lots outside the walled city (even if the walls are long gone). Travel Maestro tip: To find parking, navigate toward the train station. They usually have public parking and are relatively central to the city’s activity hub.

For more information on planning your trip to Italy, be sure to contact the Italy vacation experts at Covington Travel.