How to pay tolls in Italy with a rental car (2026)
According to Autostrade per l'Italia, checked on 31 October 2026, on the Autostrade per l'Italia network you pay at toll booths in cash or by card, the yellow Telepass lanes are only for cars with a Telepass device, and an unpaid toll can be paid without extra charge within 15 days.
This page quotes Autostrade per l'Italia, which runs most of the Italian motorway network; a few motorways are run by other companies.
Prices and rules change, and each rental company has its own toll fees. We quote the motorway operators and governments word for word, with the date we checked them; this is information, not legal advice. Before you drive, check the official page and ask the rental company how it charges you for tolls.
At a glance
| How you pay | Toll booths: cash or card; yellow Telepass lanes only with a Telepass device |
|---|---|
| Vignette | No: tolls are charged per trip |
| Price for a car | Depends on the trip |
| Rental cars | Not mentioned by the operator: ask the rental company |
| Checked | 31 October 2026 |
What the official sources say
How you pay
You can pay in cash both at manned and automated payment toll booths.
Source: Autostrade per l'Italia: Payment methods – Cash (Autostrade per l'Italia), checked on 31 October 2026. Quoted word for word.
Where the picture of the 3 cards (Viacard plus 2 other generic cards) is displayed on a blue background, it is possible to pay the toll using the following cards and without any extra costs:
Visa, MasterCard and American Express credit cards without entering a PIN code;
Source: Autostrade per l'Italia: Payment methods – Credit card (Autostrade per l'Italia), checked on 31 October 2026. Quoted word for word.
The yellow background unequivocally indicates dynamic collection with Telepass.
In addition to the logo TELEPASS, the board says "reserved for customers" to further indicate that these gates are solely for use by holders of the Telpass device.
Source: Autostrade per l'Italia: Payment methods – Cash (Autostrade per l'Italia), checked on 31 October 2026. Quoted word for word.
When and where to pay
Non-payment can be paid without charge within 15 days from the date of issue.
You can pay online after 24 hours from the transit date.
Source: Autostrade per l'Italia: Unpaid toll – Pay online (Autostrade per l'Italia), checked on 31 October 2026. Quoted word for word.
If you do not pay
In the event that the toll due (art. 176 paragraph 11 of the Italian Traffic Code) is not paid, either in full or in part, a receipt will be issued certifying the non-payment, both in the case of booths with an operator and in the case of automatic ones.
Customers who fail to pay within 15 days of transit will receive a dunning letters by post to the car owner's home address, including the administration fee.
Source: Autostrade per l'Italia: Unpaid toll – Pay online (Autostrade per l'Italia), checked on 31 October 2026. Quoted word for word.
Also on the official pages
along the 2,855 km of the Autostrade per l'Italia network
Source: Autostrade per l'Italia: Payment methods – Cash (Autostrade per l'Italia), checked on 31 October 2026. Quoted word for word.
With a rental car
The official pages we read do not mention rental cars. Before you book, ask the rental company whether the car has a toll tag and how it charges you for tolls and any fees.
Hire a car in Italy
Hiring a car in Italy? Compare rental companies and prices on DiscoverCars. Before you book, ask how each company charges you for tolls.
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Questions
How do I pay tolls in Italy with a rental car?
Autostrade per l'Italia says: “You can pay in cash both at manned and automated payment toll booths.” “Where the picture of the 3 cards (Viacard plus 2 other generic cards) is displayed on a blue background, it is possible to pay the toll using the following cards and without any extra costs:” It does not mention rental cars: ask the rental company whether the car has a Telepass device and how it charges you for it.
Can I use the Telepass lane without Telepass?
No. Autostrade per l'Italia says: “The yellow background unequivocally indicates dynamic collection with Telepass.” “In addition to the logo TELEPASS, the board says "reserved for customers" to further indicate that these gates are solely for use by holders of the Telpass device.”
Can I pay Italian tolls by credit card?
Yes, in the lanes with the card sign. Autostrade per l'Italia says: “Where the picture of the 3 cards (Viacard plus 2 other generic cards) is displayed on a blue background, it is possible to pay the toll using the following cards and without any extra costs:” “Visa, MasterCard and American Express credit cards without entering a PIN code;”
How do I pay an unpaid toll in Italy online?
Autostrade per l'Italia says: “In the event that the toll due (art. 176 paragraph 11 of the Italian Traffic Code) is not paid, either in full or in part, a receipt will be issued certifying the non-payment, both in the case of booths with an operator and in the case of automatic ones.” “You can pay online after 24 hours from the transit date.” “Non-payment can be paid without charge within 15 days from the date of issue.”
Where does this answer come from?
From the official pages of Autostrade per l'Italia, read on 31 October 2026 and quoted word for word on this page. It is information, not legal advice.
Spotted a change? Tell us. Tolls with a rental car: all countries.