Speed limits in Italy

Updated 2026-09-16

Data as of 2026-09-16. Source: Codice della Strada on Normattiva, arts. 117, 142, 195.

What are the speed limits on each type of road?

The limit depends on the road type, the weather and the driver. The table shows the general maximums: a sign can always set a lower limit, and the sign prevails. On some motorways with three lanes plus an emergency lane, the road owner or concessionaire can raise the limit up to 150 km/h, depending on the road layout and traffic and weather conditions, with dedicated signs (art. 142, paragraph 1).

For thick fog the Codice sets no single figure that applies everywhere. Article 141 requires speed to match visibility, and on equipped stretches variable message signs can impose lower temporary limits, which carry the same force as any other sign.

How is the speed camera tolerance calculated?

The tolerance applies to the measured speed, not to the limit. Article 345 of the implementing Regulation sets a 5% reduction with a minimum of 5 km/h, and this already includes the device's own margin of error. Up to 100 km/h measured, 5 km/h are deducted; above 100 km/h, 5% is deducted.

1. Take the speed shown on the notice (for example 140 km/h).
2. Work out 5%: 7 km/h. If the result is below 5, use 5.
3. Subtract: 140 minus 7 gives 133 km/h, the speed used for the fine.
4. Compare with the limit: on a 130 limit the excess is 3 km/h, the band up to 10 km/h.

How much is the fine for a measured speed?

Applies the 5% reduction to the measured speed (minimum 5 km/h) and the one-third night increase. An estimate: the fine notice is what counts.

Measured speed (km/h) Limit in force (km/h) Time of the offence 07:00 to 22:00 (day) 22:00 to 07:00 (night, plus one third)

How much is a speeding fine in Italy?

Art. 142 sets four bands based on the km/h over the limit, measured after the tolerance. Amounts are updated periodically for inflation (art. 195, paragraph 3). The two-yearly update has been suspended up to 2026, so the figures below are those in force in September 2026, with the next update expected from 1 January 2027. Always compare the amount with the fine notice before paying.

Paying within 60 days means paying the minimum of the band. Paying within 5 days of notification cuts that minimum by 30%, but only when the offence carries no licence suspension (art. 202). Other rules that change the total:

• Night hours: from 22:00 to 07:00 the fine rises by one third (art. 195, para. 2 bis). The art. 142 text published by ACI also notes an additional 200 euro for paragraph 8 and 9 offences committed between 20:00 and 07:00 (art. 6 bis, Decree-Law 117/2007): check the fine notice.
• New drivers: in the first three years after the licence is issued, points deducted are doubled (art. 126 bis).
• Built-up areas: exceeding the limit by more than 10 and up to 40 km/h at least twice in one year costs 220 to 880 euro plus a 15 to 30 day suspension (art. 142, para. 8).
• Serious repeat offences: a second para. 9 offence within two years brings an 8 to 18 month suspension; a second para. 9 bis offence brings revocation (art. 142, para. 12).
• Several offences within an hour: on the same stretch and with the same authority, the most serious penalty plus one third applies where more favourable (para. 6 ter).

General information, not legal advice: legal notes.

How does the Tutor average speed system work?

Tutor measures average speed between two gantries. It records the vehicle passing the first and the second, divides the distance by the time taken and compares the result with the limit on that stretch. Slowing down only under the gantry does not help. The 5% reduction with a 5 km/h minimum from art. 345 of the Regulation also applies to average speed. Tutor works alongside fixed and mobile speed cameras, which measure instantaneous speed instead.

What happens if you exceed the limit? Four worked cases

If a commuter from Bologna is recorded at 135 km/h on a secondary extra-urban road with a 90 limit, the 5% deduction (6.75 km/h) leaves about 128 km/h: 38 km/h over, so the fine is 173 to 694 euro (article 142, paragraph 8, of the Codice della Strada) and she loses 3 points under the table attached to article 126-bis. If she pays within 5 days of notification, the minimum drops by 30% to 121.10 euro plus the notice costs (article 202 of the Codice).

If a driver from Bari with ten years of licence passes at 178 km/h on a main extra-urban road with a 110 limit, deducting 5% (8.9 km/h) leaves about 169 km/h: 59 km/h over, and the fine is 543 to 2,170 euro with a licence suspension of 1 to 3 months (article 142, paragraph 9, of the Codice della Strada), plus 6 points lost. The 30% reduction is not available because of the suspension (article 202).

If a new driver from Padua, with a B licence for one year, is recorded at 23:00 doing 80 km/h on an urban road with a 50 limit, minus 5 km/h leaves 75 km/h: 25 km/h over, the 173 to 694 euro band of article 142, paragraph 8. Because he is in his first three years he loses 6 points instead of 3, as the table attached to article 126-bis sets for licences issued after 1 October 2003. Because it is night, the amounts rise by one third (article 195, paragraph 2 bis).

If a sales rep from Turin gets two fines in the same year, both in built-up areas and both between 10 and 40 km/h over, at the second offence the fine moves to 220 to 880 euro and a licence suspension of 15 to 30 days applies (article 142, paragraph 8, of the Codice della Strada).

What are the most common mistakes about speed limits?

• Applying the tolerance to the limit: the 5% comes off the measured speed.
• Forgetting the rain rule: in precipitation motorways drop to 110 and main roads to 90, even without signs.
• Giving a new driver standard limits: for three years they stay at 100 on motorways and 90 on main roads.
• Assuming the 30% reduction always applies: above 40 km/h over there is a suspension and the reduction is excluded.
• Braking only under the Tutor gantry: the average over the stretch stays high.

What are the common questions about Italian speed limits?

Sources: Codice della Strada, article 142; Codice della Strada, articles 117, 126 bis, 195 and 202; Implementing Regulation (Presidential Decree 495/1992), article 345.