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DRIVING

Italy expands e-scooter crackdown and plans bigger fines for phone-using drivers

Plans to regulate electric scooters are taking shape as Italian lawmakers updating the Highway Code submit their final amendments, proposing changes such as maximum speed limits and parking restrictions.

A man rides an electric scooter through Rome, Italy.
Electric scooters have become a common sign on the streets of Rome since 2020. Photo by Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP

Final changes to Italy’s infrastructure decree, which governs the country’s laws relating to transport and public works, are expected to be passed by parliament later this week – with e-scooter regulations and a proposed driver smoking ban among the most pressing topics.

Following initial proposals, the Minister of Sustainable Infrastructure and Mobility, Enrico Giovannini, has presented some last stage measures for the transport decree (decreto trasporti), reported news agency Ansa.

Among them is a ban on parking electric scooters on pavements and the provision of special parking areas, a reduction in the maximum speed from 25 to 20 kilometres per hour and confiscation of any scooters that have been modified to go faster.

This mode of transport will also have to be adapted better to the road, requiring all models to have indicators and a rear stop light.

READ ALSO: What you need to know about Italy’s electric scooter craze

Representatives of the far-right League party told the Transport Committee that they will “continue their battle to ensure the safety of both those who use scooters and all other users of our roads”, according to reports.

“The electric scooter is not a toy and, unfortunately, there are more and more road accidents, including serious ones,” they added.

Electric scooters have become popular in cities across Italy in the last couple of years, with multiple brands making them available for quick and easy use via sharing apps.

Italian media reported a “boom” in the use of electric scooters, or monopattini, in Italian cities amid the pandemic as people avoided public transport.

But they are seen as a scourge by many residents, who complain of reckless riders going at top speed on pavements and obstructing pedestrian access by dumping the vehicles on public walkways.

Those requesting changes have suggested that the scooters should only be parked in designated zones and banned altogether from some parts of cities.

E-scooters block access to a pavement in Rome's Porta Portese neighbourhood in September 2021.

E-scooters block access to a pavement in Rome’s Porta Portese neighbourhood in September 2021. Photo: The Local

Other proposed amendments, like making helmets compulsory, are designed to protect users themselves – but this is expected to only be required for people up to 14 years of age.

Eight riders have died in traffic accidents between the start of this year and September, according to the news daily Repubblica, while the newspaper Il Messaggero reports that the vehicles were connected to a serious accident once every three days in 2020. 

Scooters aren’t the only topic up for debate in the new decree, to which 434 amendments have been proposed, according to news outlet Today.it.

READ ALSO: Italy to double fines for disabled parking space violations

Some parliamentarians have asked that fines be significantly raised for those caught on their smartphones or tablets while driving –  from the current range of  €167 to €661 up to between €422 and €1,697, rising to between €644 and €2,588 for a repeat violation within a two year period.

Driving licenses could be suspended for anywhere from seven days to two months for first time offenders, and between one and three months for those caught reoffending within two years, reports news agency Ansa.

A seatbelt requirement for school buses and the extension of the validity of the foglio rosa learner’s permit, which allows individuals who have passed their theory exam but not yet taken their practical driving test to get behind the wheel, are among the other requested changes.

But perhaps the most controversial proposal is a blanket ban on smoking while driving.

READ ALSO: Could Italy become the first European country to ban smoking while driving?

Almost one quarter of the Italian adult population smokes, according to World Health Organisation data, at 23 percent – slightly above the EU average. 

At the moment, lighting up in the car is only illegal in Italy if you’re with anyone who is under 18 or pregnant, with fines of between €50 and €500 in place for those caught smoking in a vehicle with pregnant women or children under the age of twelve.

Similar rules are in place in several European countries including Austria, France, Greece, Finland and the UK, though none have a complete ban on smoking at the wheel.

If the amendment were passed, it would make Italy the first European country to impose such a sweeping restriction.

Member comments

  1. I’d welcome not only higher fines for mobile phone use, but also some semblance of Police actually enforcing this law, regardless of how high the fines are, it’s not a prevention unless the law is enforced. As a cyclist in Rome it is astonishing how many car drivers, bus drivers, coach drivers and lorry drivers I see using their phones whilst driving, holding them in their hands, and people of all ages, it’s not restricted to any particular age group.

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DRIVING

The key vocabulary you’ll need for taking your driving test in Italy

Taking your driving test in Italian may be a daunting prospect, but having a firm grasp of the key vocabulary will help you on your way.

The key vocabulary you’ll need for taking your driving test in Italy

If you’re looking to take (or retake) your driving test in Italy and do not speak Italian, French or German, you might have to brush up on your language skills; these are the only three languages you can take your Italian driving theory test in. English is not available.

To take your esame di teoria guida (theory test) the easiest route is to sign up with an autoscuola (driving school). Read more about taking the exam here and find some more resources for practicing the language needed for your Italian driving theory test.

READ ALSO: Who needs to exchange their driving license for an Italian one?

Once you pass the theory test, you’ll receive authorisation to practise driving ahead of your practical exam with a foglio rosa (provisional driving licence). There must also be a ‘P’ sign on the back of your auto/macchina (car) for to indicate you are a principiante (learner).

At least six hours of practical driving lessons will be mandatory ahead of the practical test – even if you’ve passed a driving test before in another country.

So whether or not you’re already confident behind the wheel, here’s a rundown of the parts of the car you’ll need to be able to identify in Italian.

To get the car going you’ll press and hold la frizione (the clutch pedal). You’ll do this to innestare la frizione (engage the clutch). Slowly press down on the the acceleratore (accelerator pedal) to get going, before turning the volante (steering wheel).

If you are at an incrocio (junction) and specifically at an incrocio a T (t-junction) remember to turn on your indicatore di direzione/freccia (indicator) to girare (turn). You will also have to do this at a rotonda (roundabout).

READ MORE: The worst Italian driving habits – according to Italians

You’ll also have to use your freni (brakes) if there is a semaforo rosso (red traffic light), semaforo giallo (amber traffic light) or traffico (traffic).

You can guidare (drive) again when there is a semaforo verde (green traffic light).

You must also stop when there is a segnale di stop (stop sign) or pedoni (pedestrians) crossing the road. When your car frena (brakes), your luci dei freni (brake lights) will show.

You might need a lot of new vocabulary if your car develops a fault. Photo: Ida Guldbæk Arentsen/Ritzau Scanpix

If it is raining, you’ll use your tergicristalli (windscreen wipers) to wipe your parabrezza (windscreen/ windshield). If it is dark, but there are other cars, turn on your fari (headlights). If it’s exceptionally dark and there is no one around, turn on your fari abbaglianti (high beams). 

The pneumatici/gomme (tires) are also an important part of the car that you should keep an eye on in case one of them becomes a pneumatico/gomma a terra (flat tire). If you have this problem, you might have to visit a meccanico (mechanic).

READ ALSO: Reader question: Can I drive a minicar in Italy without a driver’s licence?

After driving on either le strade (roads) or le autostrade (highways/motorways), you’ll eventually have to parcheggiare (park). You might have to reverse park in which case you’ll have to mettere in retromarcia (go in reverse gear). After you’ve stopped, make sure to put on your freno a mano (handbrake) and check your specchietto (wing mirror).

After passing your practical test, you’ll get your patente di guida (driver’s licence), which in this case will probably be a patente B (category B licence), from your local Ufficio della Motorizzazione Civile (Civil Motorisation office). After you receive your licence, you’ll legally be a guidatore (driver).

Just remember to wear your cintura (seatbelt) in the car as it is a legal obligation.

Other useful terms

One way – Senso unico 

U-turn – Inversione a u

Toll – Pedaggio

Disengage the clutch – Disinnestare la frizione

Roadblock – Blocco stradale

Licence plate – Targa

Battery – Batteria

Right of way – Diritto di precedenza

For more information on taking your driving test in Italy, check the Italian transport ministry’s page on steps to obtain a Patente B.

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