ZTL - avoiding traffic fines!

I've been reading a lot about this thing called the "ZTL" - what exactly is it? We're considering renting a car from Florence to take trips to the countryside but are a little wary of what sounds like a very easy way to get expensive fines!

ZTL stands for Zona a Traffico Limitato, an area with limited access for vehicles to reduce congestion and pollution. In Florence the whole of the historic centre is protected by this system from 7.30 am until 7.30 pm and there are heavy fines if you are unauthorised to enter the city and you pass one of the security cameras. But don't worry, is difficult to enter the area by mistake because there is a traffic light system and you would have to pass a red light!

If your hotel is in the centre of Florence you will probably have to pass a security camera (and red traffic light) into the limited access area to get there. Your hotel will register your licence plate number with the authorities to exempt you from a fine, but call first to ask the route to the hotel, they can only register you for certain entry points. If your hotel does not have its own car park, they may have an arrangement with a private garage to avoid parking on the street. This can be costly.