Bus Fines In Italy: Who Needs To Pay?

Italy is a beautiful country to visit, but it's important to be aware of the local rules and regulations to avoid any unwanted fines. In recent years, there have been numerous reports of tourists receiving bus fines during their stay in Italy, particularly in Florence. These fines can be issued for various reasons, such as not stamping your ticket when boarding a bus or travelling in a restricted area without authorisation. While it may be tempting to ignore these fines, especially if you're leaving the country soon, it's essential to understand the potential consequences.

When it comes to bus fines in Italy, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, these fines are typically issued by local bus companies, such as ATAF in Florence, and they can range from small amounts to more substantial sums. While it's not common to be detained or jailed for an unpaid bus fine, failing to pay can lead to complications. The fine may increase over time, and if you return to Italy, you may encounter difficulties renting a car or even face control by police authorities. Additionally, some people have reported being pursued by debt collection agencies, although this seems to vary depending on the country of residence.

To pay a bus fine in Italy, you usually need the penalty ticket or notice that is provided by the bus company or local authorities. This will contain the necessary information to make the payment, either online or through other means. It's important to pay attention to any deadlines for payment, as failing to pay within the specified timeframe can result in additional fees or penalties.

In conclusion, while receiving a bus fine during your vacation in Italy can be frustrating, it's important to handle it appropriately. Ignoring the fine may lead to unwanted consequences, and it's always best to follow the local rules and regulations to avoid such situations in the first place. By being informed and proactive, you can ensure that your Italian holiday remains a pleasant and memorable experience.

How to pay Italian bus fines online

Firstly, it is important to note that if you do not pay a fine in Italy, it will remain in the system under your name. This means that if you ever wish to rent a car in Italy again, rental companies will be able to see that you have an unpaid fine and may be less willing to lend a vehicle to you.

How to pay Italian fines online

You can use different channels to pay Italian bus fines online, depending on which agency issued the ticket.

How to pay fines with PagoPA

• Download the EasyPol app or visit the website.
• Select "Paga Ora" and click on "PagoPA". Then select "Prosegui" to proceed with the payment.
• The app will activate your smartphone's camera to scan the QR code of the ticket. If you do not have a QR code, you can manually fill in the form with the entity (ente), the code of the report, and the total amount.
• Enter your credit, debit, or prepaid card details from the Mastercard, Visa, Maestro, and Visa Electron circuits.
• Once the payment is completed, a receipt will be sent to your email for your records.

How to pay Italian fines with the RAV payment

You can also pay Italian bus fines with EasyPol using the following steps:

• Download the EasyPol app or check out the website.
• Select "Paga Ora" and click on "MAV and RAV". Then select "Prosegui" to proceed with the payment.
• The app will activate your smartphone's camera to scan the code of the RAV. If you do not have the code, you can manually enter the code of the RAV, the amount, and your telephone number.
• Enter your credit, debit, or prepaid card details from the Mastercard, Visa, Maestro, and Visa Electron circuits.
• Once the transaction is completed, a receipt will be sent to your email for your records.

What happens if you don't pay Italian bus fines?

If you don't pay an Italian bus fine, you may face several consequences. Firstly, the fine amount will increase over time. In Italy, if you pay a fine within 5 days of receiving it, you are eligible for a 30% discount. If you pay within 60 days, you will have to pay the full amount of the ticket. However, if you pay after 60 days, the fine will increase, usually doubling the original price.

Additionally, if you don't pay the fine, it will remain in the system linked to you. This means that rental companies will be able to see your unpaid fine, and it may become more difficult for you to find a company willing to lend you a vehicle in the future.

If you are a resident of the US, you may face further repercussions. While you will likely not face any legal consequences, the Italian authorities may sell your debt to a collection agency, which could result in harassment and additional fees. However, it is important to note that collection agencies may not be able to enforce the debt in a US court of law, and they may not be able to affect your credit score or driving record.

Moreover, if you return to Italy within 5 years, there is a small possibility that you could be pulled over and asked to pay the fine. However, this is unlikely, as there is no national database of pending fines in Italy.

How much time do you have to pay Italian bus fines?

If you pay a bus fine in Italy within 5 days of receiving it, you will get a 30% discount. If you pay within 60 days, you will pay the total amount of the ticket. If you pay after 60 days, the fine will increase and is usually almost double the original price.

What to do if you don't have the penalty ticket

If you don't have the penalty ticket, you can still pay your Italian traffic fines online, cutting down the hassle and part of the price too.

• Download the EasyPol app or visit the EasyPol website.
• Select "Paga Ora" and click on "PagoPA". Then select "Prosegui" to proceed with the payment.
• The app will activate your smartphone's camera to frame the QR code of the ticket. Or you can fill the form with all the data manually: the entity, the code of the report, and the total amount.
• Enter your credit, debit, or prepaid card details from the Mastercard, Visa, Maestro, and Visa Electron circuits.

Once the payment is completed, the receipt will be sent to your email so you will have proof that the payment was successful.

You can also pay Italian traffic tickets MAV and RAV (bollettini) with EasyPol. Here are the steps:

• Download the EasyPol app or check out the EasyPol website.
• Select "Paga Ora" and click on "MAV and RAV". Then select "Prosegui" to proceed with the payment.
• The app will activate your smartphone's camera to frame the code of the RAV. In case you don’t have the code, you can provide all the data manually: the code of the RAV, the amount, and your telephone number.
• Enter your credit, debit, or prepaid card details from the Mastercard, Visa, Maestro, and Visa Electron circuits.

Once the transaction is completed, the receipt will be sent to your email so you will have proof that the payment was successful.

How to dispute Italian bus fines

If you have received an Italian bus fine, you can choose to pay or dispute it. If you choose to pay, you have 60 days from the notification to do so. The amount you pay depends on when you pay:

• Within 5 days: 30% discount
• Within 60 days: Price reduction
• After 60 days: Full cost of the fine

If you want to dispute an Italian bus fine, you can make an appeal to get it canceled. However, not all reasons are valid in court. You must know the legal procedures and what makes a fine illegal. Here are some things to keep in mind:

• Is it worth appealing? Consider if it is more convenient to pay with the 30% discount. It may take a lot of time and money to dispute a fine, especially if you are a foreigner.
• When is the ticket not valid? Know what makes a fine not valid. As a general rule, your reason must be founded in the Italian Highway Code. Judges don't accept personal excuses. You can contest your ticket only for formal or substantial defects.
• Formal defects: These are related to the procedure the fine was issued. You can contest a ticket if authorities don't fill it correctly.
• Substantial defects: These are related to how the violation occurred in the first place. If the municipality's irregular practices led you to commit the offense, you could dispute it.
• Can you dispute a fine after paying it? It is not a good idea to pay before contesting. If you pay, the judges will no longer accept your appeal.
• How can you appeal a fine in Italy? You can choose between administrative and judicial appeal. Each one has its advantages and disadvantages.

Frequently asked questions