Speeding Offence in Italy
Discussion
Hi all,
I'm hoping you can help me with a slight 'situation' that has occurred whilst I was on holiday in Venice in February of this year.
I've received two speeding infringement letters in the post today, both signed for and from "Commune di Venezia, Polizia Municipale". One was a small fine of 50 Euros in an Audi hire car that I was driving, which I'm happy to pay. The car is registered to Europcar and the offence was on a road just outside of Venice.
However, the other fine is for 140 Euros and I was apparently driving a 1973 Ford "WAG", this offence was recorded near the Alps, where I did visit. My problem is, as you might have guessed, is that wasn't driving such a car. We were in the Audi all-along. There is also a threat of points to accompany this fine. This car is registered to a private owner.
I can appeal within 5 days (If the translation is correct), but it has to be in Italian.
Basically, where do I stand with this? I wouldn't mind coughing up for the Ford if it was a small infringement, but it's just too large to ignore.
Thanks in advance.
I'm hoping you can help me with a slight 'situation' that has occurred whilst I was on holiday in Venice in February of this year.
I've received two speeding infringement letters in the post today, both signed for and from "Commune di Venezia, Polizia Municipale". One was a small fine of 50 Euros in an Audi hire car that I was driving, which I'm happy to pay. The car is registered to Europcar and the offence was on a road just outside of Venice.
However, the other fine is for 140 Euros and I was apparently driving a 1973 Ford "WAG", this offence was recorded near the Alps, where I did visit. My problem is, as you might have guessed, is that wasn't driving such a car. We were in the Audi all-along. There is also a threat of points to accompany this fine. This car is registered to a private owner.
I can appeal within 5 days (If the translation is correct), but it has to be in Italian.
Basically, where do I stand with this? I wouldn't mind coughing up for the Ford if it was a small infringement, but it's just too large to ignore.
Thanks in advance.
Don't be afraid to write an email to the authorities in English, they shouldl have it professionally translated into their native tongue. I used to work for Europcar, you can Email Europcar UK Customer Services and they will point you in the right direction of who you have to talk to in order to get this satisfied.
They will also be very interested as to how someone in the administration department did not notice the speeding ticket was the wrong make and model of car when they received the ticket.
You have both legs to stand on, on this one. Unfortunately it's just the time consumption that will be the hassle.
They will also be very interested as to how someone in the administration department did not notice the speeding ticket was the wrong make and model of car when they received the ticket.
You have both legs to stand on, on this one. Unfortunately it's just the time consumption that will be the hassle.
Edited by Cognoscenti on Friday 1st June 21:02
Did Europcar charge you for passing on your details to the authorities? I picked up a fine in Bologna a couple years back, and although the fine was a pain, the £50 admin fee from the hire company was what I really resented.
If they’ve passed on your details wrongly and stung you for the privilege that really would add insult - but it sounds like an error at the police admin end
If they’ve passed on your details wrongly and stung you for the privilege that really would add insult - but it sounds like an error at the police admin end
Edited by MikeO996 on Saturday 2nd June 10:26
WilsonSwift said:
Hi all,
I'm hoping you can help me with a slight 'situation' that has occurred whilst I was on holiday in Venice in February of this year.
I've received two speeding infringement letters in the post today, both signed for and from "Commune di Venezia, Polizia Municipale". One was a small fine of 50 Euros in an Audi hire car that I was driving, which I'm happy to pay. The car is registered to Europcar and the offence was on a road just outside of Venice.
However, the other fine is for 140 Euros and I was apparently driving a 1973 Ford "WAG", this offence was recorded near the Alps, where I did visit. My problem is, as you might have guessed, is that wasn't driving such a car. We were in the Audi all-along. There is also a threat of points to accompany this fine. This car is registered to a private owner.
I can appeal within 5 days (If the translation is correct), but it has to be in Italian.
Basically, where do I stand with this? I wouldn't mind coughing up for the Ford if it was a small infringement, but it's just too large to ignore.
Thanks in advance.
Looks like an admin mistake, the Italian authorities will reissue the ticket for the Audi. Different rules, and quite frankly, a different attitude to the details!I'm hoping you can help me with a slight 'situation' that has occurred whilst I was on holiday in Venice in February of this year.
I've received two speeding infringement letters in the post today, both signed for and from "Commune di Venezia, Polizia Municipale". One was a small fine of 50 Euros in an Audi hire car that I was driving, which I'm happy to pay. The car is registered to Europcar and the offence was on a road just outside of Venice.
However, the other fine is for 140 Euros and I was apparently driving a 1973 Ford "WAG", this offence was recorded near the Alps, where I did visit. My problem is, as you might have guessed, is that wasn't driving such a car. We were in the Audi all-along. There is also a threat of points to accompany this fine. This car is registered to a private owner.
I can appeal within 5 days (If the translation is correct), but it has to be in Italian.
Basically, where do I stand with this? I wouldn't mind coughing up for the Ford if it was a small infringement, but it's just too large to ignore.
Thanks in advance.
Is the registration number on the €140 fine the registration number for the Audi?
If so then the ticket is probably yours. The police write to the hire company and say "Can you tell us who was in this reg number on that date, please." Why should they double check the model or the colour or anything else. Even if they did I'm sure you don't expect them to query the ticket on your behalf.
On the other hand if the registration number on the ticket is different to the Audi reg number then you can honestly and truthfully say that you weren't the driver. If it's this latter case then the hire company would not have been involved and you would seem to have got caught up in an admin error ( deliberate or accidental! ) at the ticket office.
If so then the ticket is probably yours. The police write to the hire company and say "Can you tell us who was in this reg number on that date, please." Why should they double check the model or the colour or anything else. Even if they did I'm sure you don't expect them to query the ticket on your behalf.
On the other hand if the registration number on the ticket is different to the Audi reg number then you can honestly and truthfully say that you weren't the driver. If it's this latter case then the hire company would not have been involved and you would seem to have got caught up in an admin error ( deliberate or accidental! ) at the ticket office.
CaptainMorgan said:
WilsonSwift said:
There is also a threat of points to accompany this fine.
Italianos cant put points on your UK licence. 
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