Foreign vehicles and immediate payment

When a road traffic violation is committed using a vehicle registered abroad or with a temporary EE plate, the driver may immediately pay the fine in the reduced amount directly to the enforcing officer. In this case, the officer issues a receipt and records the payment in the report given to the offender.

If the driver does not make the immediate payment, they must provide a deposit. This deposit is equal to half of the maximum fine provided for the violation. However, if the vehicle is registered in a Member State of the European Union or the European Economic Area, the deposit is lower and corresponds to the amount required for reduced payment.

The deposit serves as a guarantee that the fine will be paid. The amount is recorded in the report and transferred to the competent office.

If the driver does not pay either the fine or the deposit, the vehicle is subject to administrative detention. This means the vehicle cannot be used until the payment obligation is fulfilled, and in any case for a maximum period of sixty days. During this time, the vehicle is placed in custody, and the related costs are borne by the offender.

These rules ensure that fines are effectively collected even from foreign drivers, for whom later enforcement may be more difficult.

The provisions do not apply to vehicles owned by Italian citizens residing in the municipality of Campione d’Italia, which is subject to special rules.