Endless lines of cars, roadworks that never seem to end, hours lost behind the wheel for a journey that should have taken minutes. For millions of drivers, paying motorway tolls has often meant accepting delays without protest, and without compensation. That is about to change.

Starting next year, Italy will introduce a system that allows drivers to claim refunds when their journey is severely disrupted by roadworks or total traffic blockages. The new rules were approved by the country’s Transport Regulation Authority, marking a turning point in how toll roads are managed and how drivers are protected.

This will not be a symbolic reform. In many cases, refunds will be automatic. In the most serious situations, motorists may receive a full reimbursement of the toll they paid.

The aim, according to authority officials, is simple: tolls should reflect the service actually provided. If a motorway fails to deliver a smooth and reliable journey, drivers should not be asked to pay the full price.

The reform will be rolled out in stages. From June 1, 2026, refunds will apply to disruptions on stretches of road managed by a single operator. From December 1, the system will extend across routes involving multiple operators, covering the entire national network. An initial trial period will allow regulators to fine-tune the system if needed.

Rules for construction delays will depend on both distance and time lost. All trips under 30 kilometres will qualify for refunds regardless of delay length. Journeys between 30 and 50 kilometres will require at least ten minutes of extra travel time, while longer routes will need a delay of at least fifteen minutes.

Commuters and season-ticket holders will receive the same protections as occasional drivers. In certain cases, they will also be allowed to cancel subscriptions without penalty if ongoing works make daily travel unreasonably difficult.

For complete traffic shutdowns caused by accidents or extreme weather, compensation will increase in proportion to the delay. Drivers stopped for over an hour will receive a 50% refund. After two hours, this rises to 75%. More than three hours will trigger a full reimbursement.

Not all situations qualify. Amounts under ten cents are excluded, as are sections already benefiting from special toll reductions. Emergency works and, at least initially, mobile construction sites will also fall outside the refund scheme.

To simplify the process, a national mobile app will be launched to provide traffic updates and handle reimbursements automatically — regardless of the operator involved. Those who prefer not to use digital tools will still be able to submit claims via customer service lines and official websites.

For the first time, motorway tolls in Italy will no longer be a fixed cost drivers must accept regardless of experience. They will become a service tied to accountability and to the quality of the road ahead.