How to Drive in Milan? [Full Milan ZTL map buses and cars]

Understanding Milan's ZTL: Avoid Fines in Restricted Areas

Just like in other key cities in Italy, Milan has enforced traffic restrictions. They are named Limited Traffic Zones (ZTL in Italian) and consist of regions in the downtown area where you cannot access with a motor vehicle at specific days and times. If you do not comply with them, you will be fined.

In Milan, there are two ZTL to keep in mind: Area B and Area C. There are specific points where you can enter the ZTL, and they all have clear signs to indicate that. You will be able to see a list of when the ZTL is active, and a luminous sign to reinforce that. This way, there will be no chance of mistake.

In practice, there are some cases where you can legally enter a ZTL: you will have to get an official permit from the city council. If you drive into one without that, the camera at the entrance point will take a photograph of your car’s license plate. You will receive the fine no matter where you live.

Milan ZTL for tourist buses

Each Italian city has its own rules regarding ZTLs. In Milan, there are two of them and they have a general restriction according to emission of pollutants and to the vehicle’s size. We show all that in detail below, but we can anticipate that most tourist buses are not allowed within the ZTL in Milan.

The Area B is restricted to vehicles with length below 12 meters, while the Area C lowers that limit to 7.5 meters or shorter. Therefore, it is impossible to circulate with most tourist buses in the ZTL of Milan. You can see those regions of traffic limitation in detail by using the map we provide below:

Milan ZTL for cars

Now that we have made that distinction, we can move on. Milan’s two limited traffic zones (ZTL) are made to allow essentially cars and motorcycles within the restricted areas. There are two of them, and you can see all about them below, like activation times and the list of restricted vehicles.

Area B

Active from Monday to Friday, from 7:30 to 19:30, except for public holidays.

During those times, the ZTL is active and you cannot enter the region with a polluting vehicle. The goal is to keep air and sound pollution to a minimum so as to preserve the overall quality of life there. Besides, it makes it easier for tourists to visit the region on foot.

What vehicles can access the Area B ZTL?

In Milan, all you have to do is check whether your vehicle is included in that list. Then, you may enter Area B normally even during ZTL hours – it has a total of 186 entrance gates. If that is not the case with your vehicle, you must apply for a permit issued by the city council. Keep in mind that the Area C has rules of its own.

Useful links about the Area B ZTL

Area C

Also named Cerchia di Bastione, this region has 43 points of entrance. It is also active from Monday to Friday, from 7:30 to 19:30 except for public holidays. We’re going to list the types of vehicles that may enter that ZTL, but the city council keeps changing the list from time to time. You can check them on their official page.

What vehicles can access the Area C ZTL?

Compliant cars may access the Area C with a permit issued by the city. It is valid for the entire day, and you can drive in an out as many times as you wish during that day. Keep in mind that you will have to active the ticket until midnight before the desired day. That ticket now costs €7.50.

Useful links about the Area C ZTL