Fines, obligations and bans: those in force as of 14 December

Driving with monopeds with altered characteristics (typically a maximum speed of more than 20 km/h and increased power) remains punishable by a fine of 200 to 800 euros. With respect to this violation, in the case of a continuous rated power output of more than 1 kW, confiscation of the vehicle shall apply.

The new 'targeting' and 'insurance' obligations are postponed until the Ministerial Decree will be issued, which will establish the characteristics and procedures for assigning identification marks ('targhini') for scooters.

The amendment to Article 142, Section 8 comes into force: this is the subsection that normally punishes exceeding the maximum speed limit by more than 10 km/h and not more than 40 km/h with a fine of 173 to 694 euros and the deduction of 3 points from the driving licence. The amendments to the Code add that, if the breach occurs within the built-up area and at least twice in a year, the amounts rise to 220 euros the minimum and 880 euros the maximum; it also triggers the suspension of driving licence from 15 to 30 days.

Also in Article 142, it is worth mentioning the insertion of the new paragraph 6-ter, which provides that, in the case of several violations of speed limits, committed while driving the same vehicle on stretches of road falling within the jurisdiction of the same authority and within a period of time not exceeding one hour, the administrative sanctions provided for the most serious violation increased by one third, if more favourable to the offender, shall be applied. This benefit must be specifically requested by the person concerned.

Those who obtain a driving licence from today will be able to drive more powerful vehicles: up to aspecific power of 75 kw/t (instead of 55), referred to the tare weight, and for M1 category vehicles, including electric or plug-in hybrids, the maximum power limit will be 105 kW.

However, the period of validity of the limitations is extended from one to three years, to allow experience to be gained before switching to higher-performance vehicles.

For those who took their licence until yesterday, the previous rules remain.

Draconian sanctions in the case of using mobile phones and the like in an impermissible manner: a fine of 250 to 1,000 euro, 5 points deducted and, for those with less than 20 points, licence suspension from 15 days to 2 months. Until yesterday, the penalty was from 165 to 660 euro and the suspension of the driving licence (from 1 to 3 months) would only be triggered in the case of a repeat offence within a two-year period.

Now also in the latter case, the penalty treatment is aggravated: the penalty is the payment of a sum of 350 to 1,400 euro and the suspension of the driving licence from 1 to 3 months, in addition to 10 penalty points.

For driving without lenses, the points to be deducted from the driving licence were increased: from 5 to 8.

Stricter protection of parking spaces reserved for disabled persons: in the event of violation of the ban, a fine of EUR 165 to 660 for mopeds and two-wheel motorbikes and EUR 330 to 990 for other vehicles will apply from today, instead of the penalties of EUR 80 to 328 and EUR 165 to 660 respectively in force until yesterday.

A mention of some violations punished with penalties that are not administrative but criminal: those for alcohol and drugs. On alcohol with a rate above 0.8 g/l, the obligation to alcolock is not triggered, pending the implementing decree. On drugs, on the other hand, there is already punishability for simply taking narcotics or psychotropic substances (including quite a few drugs), even without being under their effect.