If the fine comes from a plate registration error, do not pay, not even with the discount: by paying you lose the right to have it cancelled. Contact the garage and prepare an appeal to the Prefect.
Why paying is not a good idea
When a fine arrives the temptation is to pay it straight away and forget about it, especially if the notice says you get a discount by paying within a few days. But if the fine came from an error in registering your plate, paying it is the wrong choice: by paying you lose the right to have it cancelled. And if the omission is the garage’s, there is no reason for that sum to stay at your expense.
What to do instead
First of all contact the garage you used, sending the parking ticket: together you check whether the plate authorisation procedure went through properly. If there was an error, an appeal to the Prefect is prepared, which is free of charge and must be filed within 60 days of receiving the fine. The garage helps you draft it, but you sign and send the document yourself. All the steps are in the guide to appealing to the Prefect; for City Parking write to multe.ztl@gmail.com.
And if the fine is actually due?
If the checks show that the fine is due, for example because you drove in a bus and taxi lane, which the garage permit does not cover, read the notice carefully: the conditions for paying, including any discount, are written there. If you rented the car, remember that the fine addressed to you is the one that counts, as we explain in the rental car guide.
Frequently asked questions
Can I pay the ZTL fine with the discount and appeal afterwards?
No: by paying you lose the right to have it cancelled, even if the notice offers a discount for quick payment.
When should I not pay?
If you think there was an error or omission by the garage in registering your plate.
Who do I contact before paying?
The garage, sending the parking ticket, an identity document and a copy of the fine. For City Parking: multe.ztl@gmail.com.
Official information
Check current access rules, transport and attraction information for your travel date.