What Is the Fine for Using a Phone While Driving in Italy, and Can Road Cameras Detect It?

Using a handheld smartphone while driving in Italy can cost €250–€1,000 for a first violation, plus five licence points and suspension for 15 days to two months. The same national rules apply when driving a rental car in Sardinia. Italy strengthened these penalties in December 2024. And while cameras can record a driver holding a phone, it is misleading to claim that every speed camera or ordinary roadside CCTV camera automatically detects and fines phone use.

What are the fines in Italy in 2026?

Under Article 173 of the Italian Highway Code, the fine for a first prohibited phone-use violation is €250–€1,000, accompanied by an ordinary licence suspension of 15 days to two months. A further violation within two years raises the fine to €350–€1,400 and the ordinary suspension to one to three months. The standard points deduction is five for the first offense and ten for a repeat offense; special rules may apply to new drivers and to the separate short-suspension mechanism.

What is the separate seven- or fifteen-day suspension?

Italian law also provides a short suspension mechanism in qualifying circumstances for drivers with fewer than 20 points: generally seven days with 10–19 points and 15 days with fewer than 10 points, with additional rules where an accident occurs. This is distinct from the 15-day-to-two-month suspension attached to the first Article 173 violation and the one-to-three-month suspension for repeat violations. Do not confuse the two durations or assume every foreign visitor has an Italian points record.

What exactly is forbidden?

Article 173 prohibits using smartphones, tablets and similar devices while driving when their use requires even temporarily removing a hand from the steering wheel. That includes texting, scrolling, holding the phone for a call, checking social media or manually interacting with a navigation app. Hands-free systems and permitted single-ear or suitable audio arrangements may be used if they do not require handling the device and the driver retains adequate hearing. Set your route and audio before moving, and pull over legally if you need to handle the phone.

How can a camera detect phone use?

A suitably positioned camera can capture images of the vehicle interior through the windshield or side windows, potentially showing a device in the driver's hand. Some technology uses automated image analysis to flag suspected phone use for human review. But the presence of image-processing technology does not itself establish that a particular camera is authorized to issue automated phone-use penalties in Italy. The applicable legal basis, approval, evidentiary requirements, identification of the driver and enforcement procedure all matter.

Can every speed camera or traffic-light camera issue a phone fine?

No. Speed enforcement, red-light enforcement and phone-use enforcement are different functions. Italian Highway Code Article 201 and associated rules specify circumstances in which violations may be established without an immediate stop and when approved or homologated devices can be used. A camera installed to measure speed is not automatically approved to detect handheld phone use. Claims about universal AI cameras issuing instant phone fines throughout Italy should be treated skeptically unless supported by the responsible authority.

Do police have to stop the driver?

Not in every type of road-traffic enforcement, but there is also no blanket rule allowing every phone-use allegation to be fined remotely from any recording. Whether an immediate stop is required or may lawfully be omitted depends on the offense, the evidence and the specific legal procedure. For an actual notice, review the cited article, method of detection and explanation for any deferred notification; seek qualified legal advice if challenging a ticket.

What about tourists driving a rental car in Sardinia?

The prohibition applies regardless of whether the driver is Italian or visiting from the United States, Canada or elsewhere. A foreign licence does not exempt you from fines or applicable driving restrictions. If a violation is notified through a rental company, it may identify the renter and may charge a separate contractually disclosed administration fee. That fee is distinct from the official traffic fine. Consequences for a foreign licence and its use in Italy depend on the relevant enforcement rules; do not assume Italian points are simply deducted from a US or Canadian licence.

Is using Google Maps or Apple Maps allowed?

Using navigation is not inherently forbidden. The problem is handling or operating the device while driving. Mount the phone securely, enter the destination before departure and rely on voice directions or compliant hands-free controls. If you need to type a new destination or inspect a complicated route, stop in a lawful safe place first.

What if you are stopped at a red light?

Do not treat a red light or temporary traffic queue as permission to pick up your phone. The vehicle is still participating in traffic and legal interpretations can be fact-specific. The safest approach is to leave the phone alone until you are properly parked.

Frequently asked questions

Is the fine really €250 in 2026?

€250 is the statutory minimum for a first Article 173 phone-use offense; the statutory range reaches €1,000. The actual payable amount can depend on applicable procedural rules.

Can Italy suspend my driving privileges if I am American?

Foreign drivers are subject to Italian traffic rules and applicable enforcement measures. The precise administrative effect on an overseas licence requires case-specific assessment.

Do all Italian road cameras use AI to spot phones?

No. Some systems may analyze images for suspected conduct, but ordinary cameras are not universally authorized phone-enforcement devices.

Can a dashcam image automatically generate a fine?

No general automatic-fine entitlement follows from the existence of footage. Evidence, competent authority and lawful enforcement procedure must be considered.

Can I answer a call through Bluetooth?

Hands-free use can be permitted when it requires no handling of the phone and the other legal conditions are met. Avoid interactions that distract from driving.

The takeaway

Put the phone away before driving in Sardinia. Italy's Article 173 penalties are substantial, repeat violations can lead to longer suspension, and some camera systems may record evidence of distracted driving. However, a camera's ability to see a phone is not the same as legal authorization to issue an automated ticket. For visitors, setting up navigation before leaving and using lawful hands-free controls is the simplest way to avoid trouble.

Official references: ACI — Highway Code Article 173; Italian Ministry of Health — Phone use and the Highway Code; ACI — Driving distraction and penalties; Law 177/2024, including Article 201 amendments.