So I get this very official looking letter in the mail the other day with a return address of “NCDS Comune di Milano Polizia Locale” in Italy. Of course I got really nervous because I’ve heard about all the hidden traffic cameras that are posted throughout the streets and highways of Italy (not that I drive like a maniac – in fact, I drive slowly because I am terrified of driving in Italy with all those Fiats zipping around me, but that’s another story). I opened it up and found a traffic violation from over a year ago when we were in Milan!

It turns out that we had unknowingly driven down a street which was in a restricted driving zone, or ZTL. These zones are set up mostly in historic city centers to help reduce congestion. Cars and other vehicles are not allowed to park or even drive down these streets.

Limited traffic zones – ZTL

I actually stayed in a hotel in Florence this past summer which was in a ZTL. I had to pay extra to the parking garage (I could have also paid the hotel) so that they would alert the police not to issue me a violation since I was staying at a hotel in the restricted zone. And the fine for violating a restricted zone can be hefty depending on what type of car you drive or how long you take to pay it.

I was able to go online to check that it was an official document and actually see a video of us driving through the restricted zone in the center of Milan. I paid it online within the amount of time I was given so I was only charged the amount of 71.45 euros, which is currently about $79.00.

For more information, including detailed maps of these zones and how to avoid violations, please go to  DYK?: What are Italy ZTL Restricted Driving Zones?.

Top photo credit Alain Rouiller @ Flickr.com