Infrastructure Decree: what’s new for road transport in Italy

Additionally, truck drivers will be entitled to compensation even if contractually agreed loading or unloading times are exceeded, based on transport documentation.

In case of disputes, smart tachographs or geolocation systems may be used to verify the truck’s actual arrival time.

Incentives for renewing heavy-duty vehicles

The decree also introduces incentives for purchasing low-emission heavy-duty vehicles, aiming to reduce CO₂ emissions in the transport sector. Companies that invest in low-emission trucks will be eligible for tax breaks and financial contributions. This represents a key opportunity for transport firms seeking to modernize their fleets and contribute to industry sustainability. However, there is still some uncertainty surrounding the total amount of funding available for these incentives, which currently appears to be limited to just €12 million.

Antitrust oversight on late payments

Late payments remain one of the most critical issues in the transport industry. The draft of Italy’s Infrastructure Decree addresses this by empowering the national Competition and Market Authority (Antitrust) to penalize clients who fail to meet contractual payment deadlines.

In practice, if an invoice remains unpaid for more than 60 days, late payment interest will apply. If the delay exceeds 90 days, a fine equal to 10% of the invoice amount — and no less than €1,000 — may also be imposed.

Toward a smarter, fairer logistics system

Similar rules regarding waiting times during loading and unloading are already in place in other European countries, such as Spain, where authorities have implemented measures to enforce time limits and reduce the impact on drivers’ working conditions.

These types of regulations are essential to protect transport workers and improve labor standards in a profession that has long suffered from neglect and shortages.

Italy’s Infrastructure Decree represents a significant step forward for the country’s road transport sector. It introduces new protections and incentives, but also brings operational challenges in terms of logistics management and optimization. The introduction of penalties for delays beyond 90 minutes places a spotlight on operational efficiency for shippers and consignees.

Adopting digital solutions like a dock scheduling system is essential to streamline freight flow and minimize wait times — not only to avoid penalties, but also to reduce downtime, which can negatively impact productivity and drive up operational costs.