Italy for Spanish Drivers — The ZTL Camera Zones Spain Doesn't Have

Much of Italy will feel familiar to a Spanish driver: right-hand traffic, an alcohol limit drawn at the same line, tolled motorways like the AP network. The difference that costs money is how Italian cities keep cars out of their historic centres.

ZTL: a zone you cannot simply drive into

Spain’s Zonas de Bajas Emisiones filter cars by their environmental label. Italy’s Zone a Traffico Limitato use the same camera-and-plate principle but go further: almost no car may enter without a permit, however clean it is. They cover the old centre of most cities, from Rome and Florence to Bologna and many smaller towns. Entering without authorisation costs EUR 83-332 under article 7 of the Highway Code. Since 14 December 2024, several entries into the same zone on the same day count as one offence, but another day or another town brings a new fine. With a hire car the ticket goes to the rental firm, which passes on your details, so it can arrive months later. If your hotel is inside a ZTL, ask it to register your plate before you arrive; otherwise park outside and walk. The Italy ZTL fines guide explains the process.

Your licence needs nothing extra

A Spanish licence is an EU licence and valid in Italy as it is. No IDP, no translation. Autostrade are tolled, much like Spanish autopistas, and payable by card or cash at the exit.

Speed limits, one by one

Only the motorway figure changes. In Spain 50 km/h applies on streets with two or more lanes each way, with 30 km/h on single-lane streets; Italy simply posts 50 as the default for built-up roads, so watch for local signs.

Italian fines are graded and higher

Under article 142, speeding in Italy is banded by how far you exceed the limit:

• Up to 10 km/h over: EUR 42-173.
• 10-40 km/h over: EUR 173-694.
• 40-60 km/h over: EUR 543-2,170 and a licence suspension of one to three months.
• More than 60 km/h over: EUR 845-3,382.

Paying within five days takes 30% off the two lowest bands. Spain’s own penalty is a flat EUR 100 up to 30 km/h over on a 120 km/h road, so the Italian scale feels steep. Other offences are priced differently too:

• Seatbelt: EUR 83-333 and 5 points in Italy, against EUR 200 and 4 points in Spain.
• Phone in hand: EUR 250-1,000 and a suspension of 15 days to two months, against EUR 200 and 6 points.
• Red light: EUR 167-665 and 6 points, against EUR 200 and 4 points.

Estimate other cases with the Speeding Fine Calculator.

Alcohol: same line, stricter for new drivers

Italy’s general limit is 0.5 g/l, the same as Spain’s. The difference is for newer drivers. Italy sets zero for anyone under 21 and in the first three years after passing, while Spain’s novice limit is 0.3 g/l. A recently qualified Spanish driver is therefore held to a stricter standard in Italy.

In the boot

Both countries require a reflective vest and a warning triangle. Spain adds a V-16 beacon and a spare wheel or repair kit for Spanish cars; a hire car in Italy does not need the Spanish beacon, but it must carry a vest and triangle. Check both before you leave the pick-up point.

Emergency numbers

The general number, 112, is the same in both countries. The separate lines differ: Italy uses 113 for police, 118 for ambulance and 115 for fire, where Spain uses 091, 061 and 080. Italian city traffic, with scooters filtering everywhere, rewards extra room at lights and merges. The Italy driving guide covers the rest.

Sources

• Codice della Strada art. 7 c.14 (ZTL, EUR 83-332) and art. 198 c.2-bis (one violation per zone per day): normattiva.it
• Codice della Strada art. 142 (speed limits; EUR 42-173 up to 10 km/h over): normattiva.it
• Codice della Strada, alcohol rules in articles 186 and 186-bis: 0.5 g/l in general, zero for drivers under 21 and in their first three years: normattiva.it
• WHO Global status report on road safety 2023, Spain profile (120 km/h motorway; 0.05 and 0.03 g/dl): who.int
• European Commission, Your Europe, driving licence recognition in the EU: europa.eu