Florence Driving Map, the ZTL explained

Digital ZTL traffic sign in Florence showing green light indicating open access on Sunday

Driving into central Florence is restricted by the ZTL (Zona Traffico Limitato) - a camera-enforced zone covering most of the historic center and an increasing area outside of it. Tourists and non-residents can drive in the ZTL only if staying at a hotel that has registered their license plate in advance, or if they obtain a temporary access pass. Fines for unauthorized entry range from €80 to €335, and are issued weeks later by mail - often after you've returned home.

You can drive into the center with a car, a rental or your personal vehicle, if you are staying at a hotel (or other special use cases), but the hotel/business etc. must let the traffic police know your license plate number ahead of time and get your vehicle on the temporary "Lista bianca" or "white list". Note that even with this access you are expected to go to and from you accommodation and/or parking only - it doesn't give you permission to cruise all about town.

Alternatively, if possible, you can (and should) acquire a "Temporary ZTL Access" pass (there is information here from the Servizi alla Strada. In the past when renting a car from inside the center of Florence we were never given a pass to show in the car - this may have changed. Full documentation of the ZTL(in Italian) is available here.

On the map below (click it to download a PDF version suitable for printing), you can see the ZTL entry points (red and blue "T"s) and the various zones by letter (which correspond to where residents can park). The blue "T"s are where you can enter with a car or other motorized vehicle - the red "T"s are for buses and other public and emergency vehicles only, and even with a permit to enter (resident or tourist), you are not allowed enter at the red "T" signs (I know from personal experience - and it was a very expensive lesson).

Official ZTL restricted traffic zone map of Florence Italy showing entry points and parking zones

• Monday to Friday from 7:30 to 20:00
• Saturdays from 07:30 to 16:00
• Sunday is open

During the summer there are additional closing hours which can change from year to year but in general run from the first Thursday of April to the first Sunday of October and is called the "ZTL NOTTURNA ESTIVA". The below hours are just a sample (from the summer of 2022), these may change from year to year:

• from 23:00 on Thursday to 3:00 on Friday
• from 23:.00 on Friday to 3:00 on Saturday
• from 23:00 on Saturday to 3:00 on Sunday

So remember - if you are just coming to Florence as stop on a day trip, or you are staying at a self catering apartment or Airbnb (i.e. not a hotel), you can not legally drive into (most of) the center unless you get a pass first (although we have heard stories of people doing so and not getting tickets, but you are really taking a chance). If you do drive into the ZTL without proper permission the fines are steep and the local authorities are getting better and better at finding you and making sure you pay. In any case, this is something to be aware and careful of! There are a few tips and tricks as mentioned above (Sundays are open, as are nights from 7:30 PM to 7:30 AM, but not in the summer, etc.). Lastly, the darker green shaded streets and piazzas are "zona pedonale" or pedestrian zones, and you shouldn't be driving on them at all!

For reference, here is an older Florence ZTL map - you can see how the zone has grown in the ensuring years:

Historical ZTL map of Florence from 2010s showing smaller restricted traffic zone before expansion

There is also a good Google Map of the ZTL available - we are not the authors of this map but it does appear to be fairly accurate:

Frequently Asked Questions: Driving in Florence

Can tourists drive in Florence?

Tourists can drive in Florence, but not freely into the historic center. The ZTL (Zona Traffico Limitato) restricts access to residents, taxis, and authorized vehicles. If you are staying at a hotel inside the ZTL, your hotel can register your license plate to grant access. Otherwise you need a temporary pass, or you must park outside the zone.

What are the ZTL hours in Florence?

The ZTL is active Monday to Friday from 7:30am to 8:00pm, and Saturdays from 7:30am to 4:00pm. It is suspended on Sundays and public holidays, meaning you can drive in freely those days. In summer (roughly April to October), additional nighttime restrictions apply Thursday to Sunday from 11:00pm to 3:00am.

What is the fine for driving in the Florence ZTL?

Fines range from €80 to €335 per entry. ZTL cameras photograph license plates automatically, and fines are mailed weeks or months later - including to overseas addresses. Rental car companies also charge an administrative fee on top of the fine.

Can I drive in Florence on Sunday?

Yes - the ZTL is suspended on Sundays and public holidays, so you can drive into the historic center without a permit. Note that parking fees still apply on Sundays in blue-line metered zones.

How do I get a ZTL pass in Florence?

If your hotel is inside the ZTL, contact them before arrival and provide your license plate number - they will register it with the traffic authority. For a self-catering apartment or Airbnb, you can request a temporary access pass through the Municipality of Florence's website (servizi.comune.fi.it), though the process is in Italian and can be slow.

What happens if I accidentally drive into the ZTL?

Cameras capture your plate automatically. If you think you entered the ZTL accidentally, contact your rental agency or hotel immediately - some hotels inside the zone can request an exemption on your behalf if notified within 24-48 hours. Acting quickly is essential.

And lastly, here is a very good video that sums up everything mentioned above and specifically mentions how to avoid getting ZTL tickets: