ACT stands for "Aviso de Cobrança de Tarifa" (Fee Collection Notice): the notification that the Zona Azul system issues when it spots a vehicle without valid activation, giving the driver a chance to set things right before any traffic fine. In practice, it is a "you forgot to pay — settle it now" notice, not a violation report. Understanding this difference saves a lot of worry and a lot of needless expense.
A notice, not a fine
The most important point: the ACT is an administrative step in rotational parking, tied to charging the fee for using the bay. It is not a fine under the Traffic Code, it does not add license points, and it is not booked as a violation. It is a tool for setting things right — a second chance. In many cities, this notice is directly linked to the Post-Use Fee (TPU), the charge that lets you settle the use of the bay after the normal time has expired.
How the ACT is generated
The usual sequence is:
- The vehicle is caught parked without rotational-parking activation (by an agent with an electronic ticketing device or by OCR reading).
- The system records the situation and issues the ACT, with the plate, the location, and the time.
- The driver is notified (on the windshield, in the app, or by lookup) and is given a deadline to set things right.
- If paid within the deadline, the matter ends there, with no fine.
If the ACT is not paid
Here lies the importance of not ignoring it. When the notice and its fee are not settled within the deadline, the case may then be booked under CTB Art. 181, XVII — at that point a traffic violation: a serious offense, a fine of R$ 195.23, 5 license points, and a vehicle-removal measure. In other words, the ACT is precisely the opportunity to resolve, for a small fee, something that, if ignored, becomes a much more expensive federal fine.
| Feature | ACT (Fee Collection Notice) | Fine (Art. 181, XVII) |
|---|---|---|
| Nature | Administrative fee charge | Traffic violation |
| License points | None | 5 points |
| Amount | Municipal fee (varies by city) | R$ 195.23 (federal, fixed) |
| Purpose | Set things right before the fine | Penalty after failing to comply |
Note: not every city uses the same name
Whether this notice/fee exists, its amount, and its deadline are defined by municipal law and change from city to city — some use the acronym ACT, others call it "post-use" or "irregularity notice." Always check your city's rule. In the municipalities served by Areatec, these notices and the settlement are available through the Digipare app.