Driving on foreign soil can be a harrowing experience, even in countries that drive on the correct—that is, right—side of the road. A woman says she got an expensive surprise in the mail after a desperate drive through a pedestrian zone in Italy.
Jackie Reinhart (@jackrein316) explained in a video earlier this month that she had knowingly entered the zone, but only because she had no other way out. Weeks later, a “penalty notice” from Italy arrived, confirming what she already suspected. What threw her off was that the amount listed on the ticket was higher than what her rental car company, Hertz, said she owed.
She admits she wasn’t sure which notice was the real one or how to pay the fine. Italy didn’t make it easy, either.
Reinhart’s post is resonating with people who’ve had similar experiences. As of this writing, her video has racked up more than 20,900 views.
What Happened?
Reinhart says the whole mess started when she was trying to get to the airport in Milan in May. Her GPS routed her straight through the city’s historic center. She had stayed in an Airbnb nearby and had a special permit through her parking garage, since you needed “a reason to be in the street around the center of Bologna.”
But Sunday, the day of her flight, that part of the city was closed to most cars. She left the garage anyway, knowing a ticket was coming, because the only street she could exit through was the same one she had entered.
“The street we had to come in on was completely open,” she says, admitting she thought she’d be able to “cut through” in some sort of way—something she realizes was a bad idea in hindsight.
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She describes creeping through the pedestrian zone as vendors and kids moved out of the way while her GPS kept telling her to turn around.
“I’m just trying to get through as fast as possible,” she says. “I really don’t want to get pulled over at this moment. I’m basically panicking.”
She finally made it out, then spent weeks waiting for the fine to show up. It eventually did—a ticket for 98 euros with instructions to pay online. She says she couldn’t get the website to work. A short time later, she says she got a second notice from Hertz charging her 26 euros for the same violation. “The other bill was more than that,” she says. “I don’t really understand how this is the bill for my ticket.”
“I’d like to think this saga is over, but I’m waiting to see if I get another ticket,” she adds. “This doesn’t seem like enough of a penalty for what I did.”
What Happens If I Get A Traffic Ticket In Another Country?
Getting a ticket while driving abroad doesn’t just go away when you get on a plane. According to the Washington Post, in most cases, travelers are expected to pay, and ignoring it can make things worse. What happens next depends on the country and how the ticket was issued, but the fine can follow you home one way or another.
Unpaid tickets often grow more expensive over time. Late fees can pile on, and some countries escalate the penalty or even take legal action. In more serious cases, travelers can be flagged when trying to return, which can lead to extra scrutiny at the border or being denied entry altogether.
If the ticket was issued through a rental, the company can step in. Agencies like Hertz often receive notices directly from local authorities and will charge the amount to the card on file, sometimes adding their own administrative fees. They can also bar renters from using their services in the future if the fine isn’t resolved.
Payment methods depend on the country, but most tickets can be paid online or through the mail. IDL Travel reports that some places still require cash payments in person at a bank or post office, which can make things tricky once you’ve left. In that case, the best move is to contact the issuing jurisdiction’s traffic office or hire a local attorney if a court appearance is involved.
Ignoring the ticket entirely is the riskiest option. Even if nothing happens immediately, unpaid fines can resurface later, sometimes with interest, and can complicate future travel. When in doubt, it’s best to deal with it before it snowballs.
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Viewers Share Similar Experiences With International Traffic Tickets
Several people who watched Reinhart’s video jumped in to tell her the headache isn’t over. Many pointed out that the notice from Hertz likely meant she’d be paying twice—once to Italy and once to the rental company.
“No, it’s not the bill, it’s just the fee for the rental car company to give Italy your info,” one man wrote. “Been there, done that!”
Another agreed, “It’s the rental company’s fee.”
A third added, “You need to pay both,” while someone else advised, “One from Hertz, one from the city, pay both.”
Some viewers guessed Hertz had tacked on a “convenience fee” for processing the violation, but stressed that Reinhart would still need to settle the actual ticket.
“When I got a toll bill in a rental car, they paid the toll on my behalf and charged me a fee for the convenience of them taking care of it,” one woman explained. “So my guess is they charge you for the ticket and the $26 fee.”
“[Twenty-six] euros is the rental car admin fee for them dealing with your ticket,” another commenter added. “Then, the rental car company will also charge you for the ticket.”
Many car rental companies charge processing fees to customers who get ticketed in their vehicles. In this instance, the driver is often still required to pay the ticket fees directly to the relevant authority.
One person shared a similar experience to Reinhart’s. “This happened to my husband in Spain,” they wrote. “He got a ticket for driving in a bus lane, and then the rental car company also charged a fee for getting a ticket. So the bill from Hertz may not be the actual ticket, but a penalty for getting a ticket.”
A few people offered practical advice, telling Reinhart to skip the guesswork and call the company directly.
“Can you call Hertz to find out? That’s what I would do!” one woman suggested.
Of course, not everyone was as helpful. Some wondered what might happen if Reinhart simply ignores the tickets.
“What happens if you don’t pay?” one person asked.
Another wrote, “Italy loooovvveess to scam tourist[s]. I’d call it a day and move on.”
Has The Situation Been Resolved?
The issue has not been resolved as of press time. In an email to Motor1, Reinhart clarified that she got two bills—one from Italy and one from Hertz.
“The Italy one was a fine for a traffic violation. I have not called Hertz,” she said via email. “Hertz will bill me but I’m not sure what it means regarding the other bill. The Italian bill did not have the numbers I needed to pay it online.”
Reinhart added, “As a customer of Hertz, it would be great if they send clarifying directions about this if this happens a lot. I want to do the right thing and just need support.”
Via email, Hertz declined to comment to Motor1 about this alleged incident.
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