Highway Code, new rules in force from today: here are all the new features

Starting today, December 14, 2024, 36 new provisions come into force introduced by Law 25 November 2024, n. 177, which reform the Highway CodeThe changes mainly concern the road safety and introduce important news on driving, including zero tolerance for cell phone use and drunk driving. Updates on speed limits, new rules for new drivers and the obligation to License plate, helmet and insurance for electric scooters. Furthermore, those who abandon animals on the street will have their driving license withdrawn.

While many of the new provisions are already self-application, others, such as those relating to the license plate and mandatory insurance for scooters, will require specific regulations. Within a year, a overall reorganisation of the Highway Code.

There is a news compared to to the approved text and concerns theuse of medical cannabis. The goal is protect people in care with psychotropic substances under medical supervision, allowing them to continue driving. The Minister of Transport, Matteo Salvini, announced the start of roundtable discussions to define any exemptions or specific rules, excluding the possibility of sanctions for patients who follow certified therapeutic protocols.

Good news for all motorists: the government has decided to postpone the adjustment of traffic fines to inflation also for 2025, thus avoiding an increase in sanctions which would have resulted in a 6% increase starting from 1 January 2025. This postponement was decided in response to the current economic situation, thus avoiding significant increases, such as speeding fines which could have reached up to 4.000 euros.

But let's see in detail the new provisions in force.

Cellphone while driving: fines up to 1.400 euros

The use of the cellular or other electronic devices while driving is now severely penalized. The fine for those caught driving varies between 250 and 1.000 euros. In addition, there is a automatic suspension of driving license for one week if the driver has at least 10 points on his license. If the points are less, the suspension will be 15 days. Violation of these rules also involves a loss of points on the license: from 5 to 10, depending on the severity of the violation.

In case of relapse, the sanctions are worse. The fine can go up to 1.400 euros, while the suspension of the license can reach a maximum of three months. In addition, the points deduction on the license can reach up to 10 points. It is important to underline that the law is not limited only to the use of the cell phone, but includes any electronic device that may distract the driver, such as tablets or notebooks.

Drunk driving: zero tolerance

Zero tolerance for drunk driving. If the alcohol level is between 0,5 and 0,8 grams per litre, the fine ranges from 573 to 2.170 euros and the license suspension lasts from 3 to 6 months. For a rate between 0,8 and 1,5 g/l, both a fine (from 800 to 3.200 euros) and arrest (up to 6 months) apply, with a suspension of the license from 6 months to one year. If the rate exceeds 1,5 g/l, the sanctions are more serious: arrest from 6 months to a year, fine from 1.500 to 6.000 euros, and suspension of the license from 12 to 24 months. In all cases, a total of 10 points are deducted from the license.

Furthermore, for those who commit a violation between 0,8 and 1,5 g/l, the following will be inserted on the driving licence: Union codes 68 and 69, which impose the ban on drinking alcohol while driving or the obligation to use vehicles equipped with alcohol interlocks, a device that prevents the engine from starting if there is alcohol in the breath. The device must be installed at the driver's expense and the code will remain on the license for 2-3 years, depending on the severity of the violation. If the violation is committed while driving someone else's vehicle, the suspension of the license is doubled. In case of repeat offense within two years, the license is revoked and the vehicle confiscated (if owned by the offender).

Driving under the influence of drugs: immediate withdrawal of the license

No discount even for those who driving under the influence of drugs: now it is no longer necessary for the driver to be in an evident state of psycho-physical alteration; it is sufficient that he or she tests positive for the presence of drugs in his or her body. If the police do not have the equipment to carry out the tests on site, the driver will be taken to health facilities to have biological samples taken. In the event of a positive result, the withdrawal of the driving licence for a maximum of three years. This rule does not apply to users of medical cannabis, but for everyone else, the sanction is immediate.

Speeding and new speed camera rules

About exceeds the speed limit between 10 and 40 km/h risks a fine ranging from 173 to 694 euros. If the violation occurs in a built-up area and is repeated at least twice in a year, the penalty increases, with a fine between 220 and 880 euros and the suspension of the license from 15 to 30 days.

An important piece of news concerns the repeated infringements in a short period: if a driver commits multiple violations on the same stretch of road, within an hour and under the jurisdiction of the same entity, the fines are not added together. Instead, the most serious penalty is applied, increased by a third.

As far as the Speed ​​Cameras, le new rules establish that they must be reported in advance and respect minimum distances between devices. Furthermore, it is no longer possible to accumulate fines for repeated infringements on the same stretch in one hour.

The new Highway Code provides for the Mandatory confiscation of the vehicle in case of driving in the wrong direction that causes a serious accident, with deaths or injuries, on curves or stretches of road with limited visibility. In addition, they will be installed signs to counteract entering the road in the wrong direction. For heavy vehicles, it is mandatory to drive exclusively in the lane closest to the right edge of the carriageway, on motorway sections where overtaking is prohibited.

The rules for scooters and bicycles

For the electric scooters, I am new obligations introduced: license plate, helmet and insurance. In addition, their circulation is limited to urban roads with speed limits under 50 km/h, with the prohibition of travelling in the wrong direction and in pedestrian areas. sharing company They will also have to install devices to prevent non-compliant use. Violators risk fines of between 100 and 400 euros. However, the implementing provisions for these measures will arrive in the coming weeks.

On the subject of safety for cyclists, drivers will have to maintain a distance of at least 1,5 metres when overtaking, to increase protection for cyclists.

New engine capacity limit for mopeds on the motorway

The new Highway Code lower to 120cc (or 6 kW for electric vehicles) the displacement limit for mopeds that can circulate on motorways and ring roads, provided that the driver is of age. Motorcycles with a cylinder capacity of no less than 120 cc (or 6 kW for electric ones) can circulate on motorways and main extra-urban roads, provided that they are driven by adults.

New Drivers: Limits and Obligations

The Highway Code introduces changes for new drivers, expanding the options of vehicles that can be driven in the first years of driving. For new drivers, the power limit for cars it increases to 75 kW (101,9 hp) in the first three years of driving, with a limit of 105 kW per tonne for electric or hybrid vehicles. Absolute ban on driving with a positive blood alcohol level in the first three years, with a deduction of 10 points in the event of an infringement. The use of an alcohol interlock is foreseen for repeat offenders.

Il pink sheet, however, will no longer be released immediately after the theory test, but only after a minimum number of practical exercises in various situations, such as extra-urban and night-time roads, certified by driving schools.

The is loweredMinimum age for driving vehicles used for the transport of people. For vehicles with a D or DE license, the limit drops to 18 years for scheduled services with a distance not exceeding 50 km, provided that the driver has a CQC obtained through a 280-hour course. For other vehicles with no limits on distance and type of service, the limit is set at 20 years. Minibuses (D1 and D1E licenses, up to 16 passengers) can be driven from the age of 18, with a CQC obtained through the ordinary 280-hour course.

Change the rules for “supercars”. For those who obtain a driving license after the introduction of the law, the ban on driving "powerful" cars will increase from one to three years, but with a power limit that has been relaxed compared to the past. New drivers will not be able to drive vehicles with power exceeding 75 kW/t or cars with power exceeding 105 kW, with driving school courses planned to increase points on the license.

Animal abandonment, prison risk

Increase the penalties for those who abandon animals on the road. The penalty for those caught committing this act, even without causing accidents, increases, with penalties reaching up to one year in prison and fines from 1.000 to 10.000 euros. If the abandonment It happens through a vehicle, in addition to the prison sentence, the suspension or revocation of the license from six months to one year is provided. In the event of an accident with serious consequences for other people, the penalties provided for road homicide and serious or very serious injuries are applied.

Automatic suspension of driving license

With the new rules the automatic suspension of driving license, which applies without the involvement of the prefect. This triggers at the first violation, but only if the driver has less than 20 points on his license. The suspension will be 7 days with a score between 10 and 19 points and 15 days with a score between 1 and 9 points. If the driver is responsible for an accident, the duration of the suspension will be doubled: 14 days for the first case, 30 days for the second. The violations that activate this rule include the use of a cell phone, failure to use a seat belt or helmet, overtaking on the right, driving the wrong way and failure to obey traffic lights or no-entry signs.

Parking and urban circulation

Le restrictions on circulation in limited traffic zones (ZTL) may be imposed only in the presence of joint needs: reduction of polluting emissions, protection of cultural heritage, and respect for the environment and nature. The regulations must respect criteria of adequacy, proportionality and take into account mobility and the need to support production.

For the vehicles with disabled parking permit, parking in paid areas (“blue lines”) will be free. However, the rules will be tightened fines for illegal parking in spaces reserved for disabled people. Furthermore, there is an obligation to reserve at least the 20% of free parking areas, including spaces for charging electric vehicles, and the creation of “kiss & ride” zones at stations and airports.

The other rules

Among other provisions, the'use of the “safety car” (Article 20), allowing traffic police to regulate traffic on roads with independent lanes or lanes separated by central reservations, with specific operating procedures.

With regard to historic cars, the goal is to preserve the heritage of historic and collectible vehicles, taking into account the constraints related to circulation in ZTL zones to reduce pollution. The Ministry of Transport will have to issue provisions on the matter within 60 days.

The new regulations also establish that the owner of the vehicle is responsible for insurance verification, even if the vehicle is entrusted to third parties. Technical tools are provided for the rapid cross-referencing of archive data for checks.

Finally, the creation of an electronic directory for vehicles subject to campaigns safety recall (Article 12), with new obligations for manufacturers.