Italy revises traffic fine schedule with higher penalties for uninsured driving and sidewalk scooter use

Revision of the traffic fine schedule

Italy's Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport has transmitted an updated penalty schedule for the Highway Code to transport operators and sector associations for formal review. The draft updates sanctions across 795 violation categories ahead of their enactment. Under the revised schedule, only 66 violation categories (representing 8% of the total) will see higher penalties. The ministry noted that all other existing fines will decrease, with several reductions lowering costs significantly for drivers.

Overall, the sanction impact decreases compared to the current one by about 7%, also considering that part of the increases is only a few euros.

Targeted increases for high-risk violations

The ministry concentrated fine increases on infractions considered to pose substantial social danger or where existing penalties were evaluated as inadequate. Operating a motor vehicle without mandatory third-party liability insurance will carry a fine of 1,000 euros, up from the current 866 euros. Sanctions for violating right-of-way rules during delicate maneuvers, including entering a roadway, reversing, and making a U-turn, will rise from 42 euros to 80 euros.

Penalties for micro-mobility offenses and pedestrian obstruction will also increase under the proposal. Riding electric scooters in a manner that obstructs pedestrians will carry a fine of 160 euros, up from 40 euros. Riding two- or three-wheel vehicles, such as bicycles, scooters, and motorcycles, on sidewalks will similarly face an increased penalty of 160 euros instead of 40 euros. In addition, setting fires in the vicinity of public roadways will incur a penalty of 1,000 euros, an increase from 250 euros.

New enforcement categories and consultation timeline

The revised table introduces 85 new sanctionable offenses, accounting for 11% of the 795 total categories. The ministry added these offenses following submissions from local police forces, who indicated that specific severe actions lacked tailored sanctions in the current code. Officials noted that the absence of dedicated provisions previously created interpretive and operational difficulties during road enforcement.

The updated table is currently undergoing public consultation among ministry officials, transport operators, and industry associations. Stakeholders have until 13 September 2026 to submit evaluations and propose modifications to the provisions. In recent communications, the ministry dismissed circulating reports regarding a draft code for drivers over 85 years of age, which had proposed restrictions including motorway bans, zero blood-alcohol requirements, and a 100-kilometer travel radius. However, the ministry confirmed stricter medical checkups for elderly motorists alongside harsher penalties for mobile phone use while driving.

Consumer group response and insurance data

Consumer rights association Adusbef criticized the proposed penalty for driving without insurance, stating that raising the fine to 1,000 euros is insufficient to address widespread non-compliance. The organization emphasized that mandatory liability policies protect third parties from damages caused during traffic incidents. According to the association, 9 million of the 47 million motor vehicles circulating on Italian roads currently operate without compulsory insurance coverage.