Reversing at the toll booth, the shortcut that costs points, money and safety

On the surface it may seem like a distraction. A moment of hesitation, entering the wrong lane, the panic that rises and the decision to put the car in reverse. But what many drivers still underestimate is that this maneuver at the toll booth , in addition to being prohibited, can have very serious consequences, not only on an administrative level, but also on a criminal and insurance level. The dynamic is always the same: you approach the toll booth, you mistakenly enter a Telepass lane or an exit that is not compatible with your route, and instead of waiting for assistance, you try to remedy the situation by going back. But on the highway and in the areas surrounding the toll booths – as established by article 176 of the Highway Code – reversing is always prohibited because it is a dangerous behavior for public safety.

In these high-traffic environments with reduced visibility or narrow margins, the choice to turn back surprises other oncoming vehicles with collisions, rear-end collisions or multiple accidents. The error is not limited to individual assessment, but turns into a collective threat. The Court of Cassation, with a 2020 ruling, clarified that the area immediately before the toll booths falls within the scope of the motorway carriageways and is therefore subject to the same rules: no U-turns, no reverse gear, no unauthorized maneuvers.

An action that weighs on your driving licence, wallet and safety

Imprudence of a few meters can cost you dearly. The basic fine for reversing on the highway varies between 430 euros and 1,731 euros , but in cases where it involves a U-turn - perhaps to change lanes or to exit the entrance barrier - the fine goes up to 8,000 euros, with the addition of the suspension of the license and the loss of 10 points from it. In some situations, especially if the maneuver was documented by surveillance systems or caused damage to third parties, the administrative seizure of the vehicle can also be triggered, and in cases of repeat offenses, the revocation of the license.

An element of rigidity is represented by the new regulations introduced from 14 December 2024, which allow the authorities to use the images of video surveillance cameras positioned near toll booths to certify the infringement. Until that moment, many sanctions could not be issued in the absence of the physical presence of an officer, but today the recording, if provided with the date, time and precise location, is sufficient to justify a deferred contestation. This has made fines more frequent and appeals increasingly difficult to sustain, if not for mere procedural defects.

It should not be forgotten that the insurance company, in the event of an accident caused by a prohibited maneuver such as reversing, can refuse to cover the damages . Consequently, the entire economic burden is borne by the driver. In extreme cases, if there is an injured person, the liability can take on criminal relevance with the hypothesis of negligent injuries or road homicide, depending on the severity.

Differences between inversion and reverse

Although often confused, the distinction between reversing and reversing is crucial: reversing simply means moving backwards, while reversing also involves moving in the opposite direction . The Highway Code punishes both, but reversing carries higher fines, up to 8,186 euros with revocation of the license and administrative detention.

For those who pay within five days of notification, a 30% reduction on the maximum amounts is still foreseen, an incentive that however does not eliminate the risk of points being deducted from the license. The appeal remains in any case a possibility in case of formal defects or documentary deficiencies in the dispute.

Technology, instinct and virtuous behaviors

The modernization of toll booths and the introduction of automated electronic systems have not made the task easier for those in difficulty. The gradual elimination of physical barriers and operators present can lead some drivers to feel abandoned in the moment of an error. But each column is equipped with an assistance button, marked with the color red: by pressing it, you come into direct contact with an operator who can open the barrier remotely, provide clear instructions and guide the driver without resorting to prohibited behaviors.

Regulations in hand, haste, distraction or anxiety do not justify an illegal conduct, especially if we consider that highways are among the infrastructures with the smallest margins of error . The correct way is to stop, ask for assistance and wait for instructions, even if it involves a short wait or a slight slowing down of the pace.

A question of prevention, not just of the Code

Beyond the numbers, the reports and the articles of law, the issue of reversing at the toll booth calls into question the broader dimension of road civilization . In a country where thousands of accidents are still recorded each year caused by risky maneuvers, the culture of responsibility remains a fundamental step in terms of prevention. Every time a driver decides to resolve a mistake with a prohibited move, he underestimates the impact of the choice.

For their part, motorway concessionaires are not simply toll managers, but have a legal obligation to ensure the operational safety of the entire stretch. This also includes the design of access areas, gates, signs and assistance devices. In the event of an accident caused by ambiguous or defective signs, the driver can request a finding of joint responsibility. Some courts have already issued rulings that partially recognize the fault of the motorway company in cases where the toll booths were poorly signposted or not functioning.

Who can reverse on the highway?

Although the Highway Code strictly prohibits reversing and U-turns on motorways and at access gates, there are some exceptions provided for by the law. This is clarified in Article 176, paragraph 12, according to which drivers of vehicles intended for motorway services can derogate from this prohibition, provided that they have an authorisation issued by the body managing the stretch. These manoeuvres are permitted only in the presence of real service needs and must in any case be carried out with the utmost caution, i.e. keeping the flashing yellow light device active, in order to signal their presence to other road users.

This framework of exceptions is also reinforced by paragraph 14 of the same article, which extends the possibility of reversing and U-turning to vehicles belonging to the police , fire brigade and ambulances. In these cases, the exemption is legitimate if the intervention occurs for service reasons and the vehicle is circulating with visual signalling devices turned on, so as to guarantee maximum visibility and safety during the execution of the manoeuvre.