New highway code in Italy: What you need to know to avoid fines

Article written by Rosaria Barrile, collaborator of idealista/news

Hands on the wheel and eyes on the road... and on the text of the new Italian highway code if you want to avoid fines. The Italian government approved a new Highway Code, and we are here to tell you all about it.

What changes with the new Highway Code in Italy?

The new Italian Highway Code changes the way in which pedestrians, cars, motorbikes and scooters, which are often at the centre of controversy due to the casual use of scooters by some users, live together. The most important changes concern the conditions under which they can circulate.

On the one hand, fines for certain offences will be heavier than in the past, while on the other, the longer duration of the learner's permit and the possibility of receiving a bonus licence will reduce the cost to families of obtaining one. No reference is made to monowheels, segways, and hoverboards. 

New Italian Highway Code: driving with a mobile phone

In the current version of the Italian Highway Code, a fine is already provided for those who, while driving, use "radiotelephonic devices". In the new version, the list of instruments that cannot be used while driving has been adapted to the times and has been extended to include 'smartphones, portable computers, notebooks, tablets and similar devices that even temporarily take the hands off the steering wheel'. It is worth remembering that already today, as a result of an extensive interpretation of the rule, you are fined if you use your tablet while driving. The fines remain unchanged and there will be no suspension of the licence for the first offence.

Disabled parking: double the fines

From 2022 parking in spaces marked by blue lines (in case the specific parking areas are occupied) will be free of charge for people with disabilities: the vehicles, of course, will have to be equipped with the appropriate sticker. Fines will be doubled and points deducted from the driving licence will be tripled for those who park their vehicles in the spaces reserved for the disabled without the necessary permission. Penalties will range from €168 to €672 (currently €84 to €335) and the number of points deducted, currently 2, will be increased to 6.

Pedestrian crossings: allowing people to cross as well

The amendments to the Italian Highway Code also introduce new behavioural obligations at pedestrian crossings. Motorists will have to give priority not only to pedestrians who have already started to cross, but also to those who are about to do so.

Pink parking spaces and parking spaces for new parents

There will also be more so-called "pink" parking spaces for pregnant women and parents with children up to two years old. In order to use these reserved parking spaces, however, it is necessary to have authorisation from the municipality of residence. Anyone who uses reserved parking spaces without authorisation or "makes improper use of them" is subject to an administrative fine of between €87 and €344.

Motorbikes: helmet requirement

The driver of a motorbike will be fined if his passenger is not wearing a helmet, regardless of age. Today the fine only applies if the passenger is a minor.

New highway code for electric scooters

On the subject of helmets, on scooters they are not required to be worn by adults, nor are number plates. On the other hand, arrows (and stops) and brakes on both wheels are compulsory: new scooters marketed from 1 July 2022 will have to be fitted with them, while all others have until 1 January 2024 to comply. Insurance is only compulsory for rented vehicles. As for speed limits, vehicles may not exceed 6 km/h when travelling in pedestrian areas. And they must not exceed 20 km/h in all other cases.

Pink sheet for one year

The validity of the learner's permit is extended from the previous six months to one year. The driving test for a B licence can be repeated three times. New drivers will also be able to drive a vehicle with a power of up to 95 hp provided they are accompanied by a person aged 65 or less with a driving licence obtained at least 10 years previously. However, the administrative penalties for driving without an instructor have been increased: from a minimum of 430 euros to a maximum of 1,731 euros and the accessory penalty of administrative immobilisation of the vehicle for three months.

Hired cars, fines for driving

The Infrastructure Decree clarifies the situation regarding offences committed while driving a rented car: the amendment to Article 196 of the Highway Code provides that the client of the rental company will pay for offences committed while driving. Hire companies will cooperate in providing the offices with the details of the signatory to the rental contract, as required by the Code, so that the report can be served directly on the latter.

Electric rechargers, access only for as long as necessary

Clarifications also for those who own electric cars: the parking bays for recharging vehicles must be occupied only for the time necessary to "fill up" the battery. After one hour, no further parking is permitted. The ban does not apply between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. (except for the spaces reserved for fast and super fast vehicles, which must be vacated as soon as the recharging operation is complete).