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Do I have to pay an Italian traffic offence fine?
blockhead_rich - 30/6/08 at 08:22 PM

Just received an letter informing me that I have committed a traffic offence whilst I was on holiday last August in Italy and asking for payment of a €100 fine within the next 20 days. I know I was there but didn't know I commited any crime. What happens if I don't pay it? Will they catch up with me as threatened?

Any advice gratefully received!
Rich

designer - 30/6/08 at 08:24 PM

I have been fined in France in my english registered car.

I would pay it as soon all countries will be linked for motoring fines and the fine will rise.

whitestu - 30/6/08 at 08:26 PM

They'll have the Mafia after you if you don't!

Seriously, I'd be surprised if they can enforce it.

[Edited on 30/6/08 by whitestu]

mookaloid - 30/6/08 at 08:30 PM

Might be worth asking here - http://www.pepipoo.com/

blakep82 - 30/6/08 at 08:34 PM

seem to remember clarkson saying he's got about 20-30 speeding tickets outstanding in USA

then again he says a lot of things

richardh - 30/6/08 at 08:42 PM

we dont enforce the foreigners in this country so i'd say forget it.
on the other hand, if you do then expect to be arrested if tou arrive in that country again as its bound to be on a database somewhere...........

bloody databases, the inventor should be shot in every joint and then the head last.................................

Flamez - 30/6/08 at 08:49 PM

10 months ago.... are you sure it isn't a scam of some sort

pewe - 30/6/08 at 08:54 PM

Two contributors on AutoItalia were fined and had their licences confiscated but allowed to exit the country.
After some time they paid the fine and were told they could collect their licences from the police station where they were caught.

Before they did this one returned to Italy and was told by the guy at the Immigration desk at an entirely different airport that his license was awaiting collection!
Draw your own conclusions but if you intend to return/hire a car is it worth risking having your collar felt/delaying your entrance or even being refused entry?
Cheers, Pewe

PS as Flamez says check it isn't a scam but if you hired a car the notification will I think come via the hire company.
Try Rudi on here for local knowledge.

[Edited on 30/6/08 by pewe]

iank - 30/6/08 at 08:57 PM

I don't think as an EU citizen you can be prevented entry (as I understand the rules anyway), however they can certainly arrest you/make you pay the fine on the spot 5 seconds after they've stamped your passport

theconrodkid - 30/6/08 at 09:05 PM

friend of mine was hit with one of these,it was a scam.
as long as you dont intend returning to italy i wouldnt bother

paulf - 30/6/08 at 09:28 PM

I would just send it back, with not known at this address on it.
Paul

blockhead_rich - 30/6/08 at 10:06 PM

Mmmm food for thought. I don't think it is a scam as I had notification from the hire company to say that they had to forward my details to the local establishment for which I had to pay!

Thing I dislike is that I have no way of knowing what I did wrong exactly and hence cannot prove my innocence! Just have to take their word for it. I'll try to give them a ring in the morning to see what they say!

Rich

Paul TigerB6 - 30/6/08 at 10:18 PM

quote:
Originally posted by blockhead_rich
Mmmm food for thought. I don't think it is a scam as I had notification from the hire company to say that they had to forward my details to the local establishment for which I had to pay!

Thing I dislike is that I have no way of knowing what I did wrong exactly and hence cannot prove my innocence! Just have to take their word for it. I'll try to give them a ring in the morning to see what they say!

Rich


Could still be a scam i guess - would suggest the only way the scammers could get your contact details is through the hire company records if they managed to get hold of them. Are you 100% sure its genuinely from the hire company (and not from maybe a dodgy employee)??

RK - 30/6/08 at 10:46 PM

Contact the authorities in the city you hired the car (the local city hall, probably not the Carabanieri). They will find out for you if you are owing or not.

[Edited on 30/6/08 by RK]

ned - 1/7/08 at 08:11 AM

Friend of mine had an 'overdue' speeding fine from France in his Elise, he bought a cheap personalised number plate as he was worried about being vaught out and has been back many times now without any problems.

Ned.

martyn_16v - 1/7/08 at 09:06 AM

quote:
Originally posted by blockhead_rich
Thing I dislike is that I have no way of knowing what I did wrong exactly and hence cannot prove my innocence! Just have to take their word for it.


I can't believe you'd even consider paying out without knowing precisely what for. It screams 'wrong' on so many levels. Is it because the penalty notice is in Italian or because you simply don't have one? You are legally not obliged to sign anything that's not in your own language, they will have to send you one in English if they want you to own up.

blockhead_rich - 1/7/08 at 08:14 PM

Found out that it's genuine alright (pic of the hire car availabel via the net) but luckily for me (although not her though of course), my wife is disabled and therefore I can appeal against the fine based upon her being with me! So I will hopefully get off scott free!

Thanks for all of your advise though, it was greatly appreciated!

Rich