Cabinet approval and the ministry's framing

On 13 October 2026 the Council of Ministers approved a new Codice della strada, Italy's road traffic code, after a review led by Transport Minister Matteo Salvini. The Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport (Mit) said the text followed consultation with more than 100 sector operators and associations. The ministry presented the package as a general reduction in fines combined with a tougher stance on the behaviour that most endangers road users. The cabinet approved a draft legislative decree (schema di decreto legislativo) setting out the code.

Lower fines and a new penalty scale

The ministry rounded down the most common minimum fines, cutting 26 and 42 euro to 25 and 40 euro, while penalties of 83 and 87 euro fall to 80 euro. Alongside this rounding, the automatic biennial adjustment of fines for inflation is suspended. Il Giornale reports that the speeding surcharge becomes 10 euro for each km/h above the limit, or 5 euro on urban streets with 30 or 50 km/h limits. Using its example, a driver at 61 km/h on a 50 km/h city street would pay 55 euro and one at 90 km/h would pay 200 euro, where current rules set the same penalty for both, between 163 and 694 euro. The fine brackets are also regrouped, going from 82 to 21, with the lowest fine at 25 euro and the gravest infringements reaching 40,000 euro.

Insurance, foreign drivers and paperwork

Drivers caught without insurance will face a ban on driving for an indefinite period. Il Giornale notes that under the existing rules an uninsured vehicle could be seized at the first check. Vehicles of foreign drivers staying in Italy for more than 30 days must be insured under Italian rules, and unpaid fines from foreign drivers will be collected by compulsory recovery. Drivers will no longer have to carry the paper driving licence and the circulation booklet (libretto di circolazione), because police can verify both electronically. Professional drivers holding group 2 licences, including the C, CE, D and D1 categories, face an age limit raised from 68 to 70, with a check every two years. Fines above 200 euro can be paid in monthly instalments by people in financial hardship who apply.

Riders, motorcyclists and e-scooters

Super e-bikes used by delivery riders will need a helmet and a plate, while pedal-assisted bikes with a maximum continuous nominal power of 0.25 kW are excluded. Motorcyclists may use the motorway emergency lane during accidents or slowdowns, and Il Giornale reports that vehicles queued in traffic should leave a "virtual lane" for two-wheelers and emergency vehicles. A programme to install barriers that protect motorcyclists is also planned. E-scooters may not circulate when they obstruct or endanger pedestrians. Municipalities may designate e-scooter parking areas by ordinance, including on pavements where fixed racks are installed.

Speed limits, notifications and the disability permit

The draft allows up to 150 km/h on three-lane motorways with an emergency lane, but only where the owner or concessionaire has raised the limit and average-speed equipment is installed. Other listed limits include 130 km/h on other motorways and 110 km/h on main extra-urban roads, with 50 km/h on urban roads. Municipalities will have 45 days instead of 90 to notify a fine when detection is remote and no immediate challenge is made. Il Giornale says notices will be digital only, sent through the public administration's "Send" platform, with paper post for those without digital access. All municipalities must join the national platform for the disability parking permit (Cude), and those that do not cannot use remote enforcement devices.

Reaction and timeline

Codacons said that cutting or raising fine amounts does not improve road safety in Italian cities. The ministry said the fines must have a deterrent rather than punitive function. Il Giornale reports that the legislative delegation set by the 2024 reform would have expired on 14 October. The cabinet approved the text on 13 October, one day before that date.