Originally Posted by
mike2200
While in Florence was told they had cameras in the restricted (posted) center of the historic center of the city. That if you did not have a permit you wold be ticketed and the ticket was mailed to you. Info was shared by a Frenchman who received a ticket, I am from USA and had a car at the time.
In Florence, after driving into the restricted zone, you can do a number of things to avoid a fine. You can park in a parking garage, visit a hotel, return a rental car, etc. and the garage/hotel/rental agency reports the time and license plate number to the traffic police. You generally have an hour from the time you enter restriced zone until you have to report to the garage/hotel/rental agent etc. I learned this from an Italian friend who is from Florence. I think Rome has similar ways to get around the congestion zone fines.