Highway Code: MIT’s proposals – driving licence from the age of 17
Proposals from Matteo Salvini’s ministry have been sent to over a hundred industry operators and associations for consultation. Among the proposals is the possibility of obtaining a driving licence at 17, as well as an automatic cap on the inflation-linked increase in fines.
Key points
- Penalties proportionate to the offence and a halt to inflation-linked increases
- Notifications of fines with time limits reduced from 90 to 30 days
- Greater protection for motorcyclists, people with disabilities and new forms of mobility
- Crackdown on uninsured and abandoned vehicles
- 70 per cent of revenue from fines goes towards road safety
- 17-year-olds will be allowed to drive cars and heavy goods vehicles
Driving licences from the age of 17, compulsory helmets and registration plates for motorised two-wheelers, namely e-bikes, which are also used for home deliveries. Tighter measures for those travelling without insurance. Fines for speeding offences based on the severity of the offence. Greater safeguards for the public and more resources for road safety. Recovery of unpaid fines from foreign nationals and measures to tackle abandoned vehicles. These are some of the new measures contained in the proposals for reforming the Highway Code, with working documents sent to over a hundred industry operators and associations to complete the consultation process initiated by the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport (MIT), Matteo Salvini. All of this, as explained in a statement from the MIT, ‘with the aim of arriving at a text that is as closely aligned as possible with the needs of motorists, whilst prioritising road safety’. Let’s look at the main points in detail.
Penalties proportionate to the offence and a halt to the rise in inflation
Fines that are simpler and proportionate to the actual seriousness of the offences, whilst at the same time providing for stricter penalties for uninsured vehicles. A reduction in penalty surcharges in the event of late payment. Recovery of unpaid fines from foreign nationals within five years of the offence. In particular, provision is made for enforced collection from any driver found to be driving in Italia in the vehicle with which the offence was committed. An end to the automatic inflation-linked increase in fines.
Notifications of fines with time limits reduced from 90 to 30 days
Strengthening the right to appeal to the prefect and simplifying the rules on self-defence to seek the annulment of incorrect fines, with greater proportionality in cases of minor payment errors. Shorter waiting times and greater safeguards for those who receive a fine. The deadline for serving notices relating to remote enforcement checks has been reduced from 90 to 30 days.
Greater protection for motorcyclists, people with disabilities and new forms of mobility
The new Highway Code aims to introduce an obligation for local authorities to join the Cude platform (European parking badge for people with disabilities), providing that, in the event of non-compliance, the inability to use devices for remote detection of offences relating to reserved parking spaces and restricted traffic zones (ZTL).
Work is under way to provide motorcyclists with greater protection on motorways and to allow them, in the event of accidents or severe traffic congestion, to use the hard shoulder, whilst always ensuring that emergency vehicles can pass.
