Traffic fine in Italy

[tgr]

Hire car with Italian plates.

I have received a request for payment over 1 year after the alleged offence (14 months to be precise). Is this beyond the statutory period in which they can require payment?

Separately, should I pay or not? I travel to Italy every year, sometimes with my own car but mostly hiring a car when needed

Responses from those with up to date experience gratefully received!

[HantsRat]

If you will be travelling in the same car in the future, pay up. The last thing you want to happen is to be stopped then checks reveals unpaid fines.

[george123]

tgr said:

Hire car with Italian plates.

I have received a request for payment over 1 year after the alleged offence (14 months to be precise). Is this beyond the statutory period in which they can require payment?

Separately, should I pay or not? I travel to Italy every year, sometimes with my own car but mostly hiring a car when needed

Responses from those with up to date experience gratefully received!

I wouldn't bother paying. I've driven in Italy for years and been served one ticket for entering central Florence and one for speeding. Both came to me via the hire company. I ignored both and also the subsequent follow up demand letters from the parking authority who issued it in Florence and the police for the speeding ticket. Nothing ever happened and that was over 2 years ago.

[marshalla]

tgr said:

Hire car with Italian plates.

I have received a request for payment over 1 year after the alleged offence (14 months to be precise). Is this beyond the statutory period in which they can require payment?

Separately, should I pay or not? I travel to Italy every year, sometimes with my own car but mostly hiring a car when needed

Responses from those with up to date experience gratefully received!

Received from whom ? Car hire company or Italian authorities ?

[tgr]

I don't have the notice to hand at the moment - it's with the Post Office as it has been sent recorded mail from Italy

[Beetnik]

I got one in Pisa whilst driving a hire car. Ummed and ahhhed a bit but didn't pay it on the basis they were unlikely to collar me if I ever went back. Been back a couple of times since and encountered no problem.

[tgr]

When was this BN?

[tgr]

Apparently the post office tried to deliver again (they need a signature) but I was out.

Am I better off not receiving the letter at all by not signing for it?

[Beetnik]

I doubt it will make any difference. I signed for mine. It was a few years ago. I kept the paperwork for a couple of years and then binned it.

[caziques]

It won't make a lot of difference, but I wouldn't sign for it.

For all practical purposes the "fine" is unenforceable.

Check your credit card and ensure you reverse any unauthorised transactions trying to charge for passing your details on.

[tgr]

Thanks all. Unfortunately the hire company had already charged my credit card about 12 months ago for passing the details on (about 50 euros from memory), and I didn't spot it until too late.

Is there any statute of limitations i.e. is enforcing a fine for an offence over 12 months ago invalid (setting aside whether it's provable)?

[tgr]

...and would the Italian authorities fine the hire car company instead, who would pursue me to recoup it?

[hornetrider]

I also got one via the hire company (I think) for entering a restricted area in Florence. Ignored it. Never heard anything again.

Not been back to Italy since mind (not because of that )