Italy approves new road code with per-kilometre speeding fines and lower penalties

Preliminary approval and timetable

On 13 October 2026 the Council of Ministers gave preliminary approval to a new Codice della strada, a legislative decree of 294 articles. The text now goes to Parliament for a non-binding opinion, and its entry into force is planned for 1 January 2028. The Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport said the draft closed a long drafting process that included consultation with sector associations, technicians and businesses. The ministry said the reform was wanted by Matteo Salvini, and its note sums up the balance between cheaper fines and tougher rules in these words:

At the same time, the text provides for tougher measures against the most dangerous behaviour, with the aim of increasing safety for all road users.

Fines and speed limits

The ministry says the fine scale is being rounded down. The common minimums of 26 and 42 euro fall to 25 and 40 euro, and the 83 and 87 euro fines drop to 80 euro. The draft also suspends the automatic inflation adjustment that currently applies every two years. Speeding fines would track the distance over the limit, at 10 euro per km/h on motorways and 5 euro per km/h where urban limits are 30 or 50 km/h, according to the explanatory report cited by Il Sole 24 ORE. Its examples are 110 euro for 11 km/h over a motorway limit and 400 euro for 40 km/h over. On a 50 km/h road, 61 km/h would cost 55 euro and 90 km/h would cost 200 euro.

Adnkronos reports that drivers in financial hardship could pay any fine above 200 euro in monthly instalments. Three-lane motorways with an emergency lane could reach 150 km/h where owners raise the limit, and scooters could be parked on pavements where racks are fixed to the ground.

Uninsured drivers, foreigners and buses

Drivers without insurance face checks through Motorizzazione databases. Owners must document any exemption or buy cover, and if the deadline passes a digital driving ban applies. According to the explanatory report, a banned vehicle stopped at the first roadside check would be seized straight away. Foreigners staying in Italy for more than 30 days would have to insure under Italian rules, and the draft provides for recovering unpaid sums from foreign users. Penalties also rise for anyone driving buses or vehicles carrying schoolchildren or students without the required qualifications.

Drink driving, licences and documents

AGI, which viewed the draft, reports that three drink-driving bands remain, based on blood alcohol in grams per litre. Between 0.5 and 0.8, the offence stays administrative. Between 0.8 and 1.5, the fine is 800 to 3,200 euro, with arrest of up to six months and a driving ban of six months to one year. Above 1.5, the fine is 1,500 to 6,000 euro, with arrest of six months to one year, a ban of one to two years and confiscation of the vehicle unless it belongs to someone else. Organising or taking part in illegal races would carry prison terms. Where two breath readings differ, the more favourable result would count. La Stampa reports that the ten-year validity of group 1 licences would run up to age 65, instead of the current 50. Il Sole 24 ORE says the same renewal rule applies to category B up to 65, while professional driving could continue up to 70. Drivers would no longer have to carry physical licences and registration papers, because police could check digital databases.

Motorcyclists, disabled parking and criticism

Motorcyclists could use the motorway emergency lane during accidents or slowdowns, and drivers in congested traffic would leave a passage for motorcycles and mopeds. The ministry also plans a programme to install barriers that protect motorcyclists. The disabled parking permit (CUDE) would be simplified, with all municipalities required to join the national platform so the permit is recognised across Italy. Codacons criticised the approach to fines:

Reducing or increasing the amounts of fines does not improve road safety in our cities.

Il Fatto Quotidiano notes that the ministry note did not mention Salvini's earlier idea of raising the driving age limit to 70 for truck and bus drivers, a proposal that has drawn strong criticism. The final text will come from the Council meeting, so the details may still change.