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Penalty kinks

In 2009 we travelled to Tropea in Italy. Now, 6 months later, we have received a parking fine, that we cannot understand as it is in Italian. We do have a cover page listing an IBAN transfer number that says they are glad to give us essential information about the payment. As the cover page is in some sort of English but the following two pages are in Italian, are we still required to pay?

Asked on 20 February 2010 by K.W., via e-mail

Answered by Honest John
If it was for an offence in an Italian hire car, yes, the notice can be in Italian. If it was our own UK registered car, no, the notice has to be in English. This is such a common, but legal racket I've done a FAQ on it: www.honestjohn.co.uk/faq/faq.htm?id=146. The Mafia doesn't have to bother selling drugs any more. It can just impose traffic penalties.
Spain has now caught on too and the only answer seems to be not to drive at all in EC countries, or run the risk of large numbers of fines, directed to you via car hire companies or the DVLA.
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