Here's another version of the ZTL sign I saw in Florence in March:

http://ellenem.shutterfly.com/558

There are still three unanswered questions:

1. How do they know the car is a rental car?
2. How do they know the driver as an American?
3. Why do they pick on Americans?

<i>1. How do they know the car is a rental car?</i>
By the license plate and its registration.
<i>2. How do they know the driver as an American?</i>
They don't.
<i>3. Why do they pick on Americans?</i>
What makes you think that they do?

I got caught by a traffic camera in the Netherlands a few years ago. they just went to the rental company who then charged it to my credit card and then sent me a letter explaining the charge--over $100 for the ticket, the car rental place for administrative costs and the VAT on the ticket. No choice but to suck it up and vow to be more careful in the future.

Thanks to all of these Italy posts, I will be forewarned about driving there.

I got caught by a traffic camera in the Netherlands a few years ago. they just went to the rental company who then charged it to my credit card and then sent me a letter explaining the charge--over $100 for the ticket, the car rental place for administrative costs and the VAT on the ticket. No choice but to suck it up and vow to be more careful in the future.

Thanks to all of these Italy posts, I will be forewarned about driving there.

>>>1. How do they know the car is a rental car?<<<
They take a picture of your license plate and track the number.

>>>2. How do they know the driver as an American?<<<
The rental company provides them with your info. The rental company also charges your credit card for having to provide your info (it's in your contract- read the fine print- usually 30-50€).

>>>3. Why do they pick on Americans?<<<
I don't think the cameras know nationality when snapping the photo of the license plate.

This article linked above tells how many tickets Florence issues.
http://www.bella-toscana.com/traffic...ions_italy.htm

There are ZTL maps that show the location of the cameras.

>>>they just went to the rental company who then charged it to my credit card and then sent me a letter explaining the charge--over $100 for the ticket, the car rental place for administrative costs and the VAT on the ticket.<<<

The rental companies in Italy only charge for providing the info. The Italians contract with a collection agency which sends the ticket to you. They have a year to send the ticket.