Driving penalties and the French points system
All the key information you need about fines and penalties while driving in France.
What happens if you get caught speeding in France, or are found to have committed other offences while driving there? Hopefully these are things which won’t happen to you, but if they do, you should know what the consequences are, in terms of fines and penalties.
How the French driving point system works
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12-point system
In France, unlike in the UK, drivers start with 12 points on their licence (permis de conduire). As driving offences are committed, these points are then taken off. Once licences are down to zero points, drivers are banned from driving for six months. If drivers reach zero points twice within five years, they receive a 12-month driving ban.
Newly qualified drivers in France start with 6 points on their provisional licence; 2 points are added every year for the first three years of being a qualified driver.
How points are lost from French driving licenses
| number of points lost | type of offence |
|---|---|
| 1 point |
|
| 3 points |
|
| 4 points |
|
| 6 points |
|
Points are regained by drivers completing voluntary rehabilitation courses, and being reinstated over time if no new offences are committed.
Fines for foreign drivers
Fixed speed cameras are indicated on signs, but temporary cameras are not
UK drivers do not have points added to their licence by French police. If they are found guilty of a driving offence in France their licenses are unaffected, although the police in the UK will have the offence on record. UK drivers will however receive on-the-spot monetary fines, and may have their vehicle impounded for the most serious offences.
Immediate payments
Police in France can issue on-the-spot fines for common offences like speeding. The minimum fine is €68, for speeding at less than 20 km/h in a 50 km/h zone, but this fine increases for greater speed violations. Your licence could be immediately confiscated by police if you are caught speeding at more than 40 km/h above the limit.
Fines sent by post
It’s more likely that speeding offences are detected by speed cameras rather than by the police or unmarked speed camera vehicles. In these cases, like in the UK, you will receive a letter at your home address with details of the fixed penalty notice. You will be given 15 days to pay, after which the fine will increase. The maximum speeding fine is €1500.
Vehicle impoundment rules
Your car could be impounded (mise en fourrière) by French police for some serious driving offences, including:
- Exceeding the speed limit by 50 km/h
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or refusing a breathalyser test
- Driving without insurance or a licence
- Refusing to stop for police
Police may also be forced to impound vehicles for illegal or obstructive parking, which may not sound like a major offence but if continued for a sustained period of time the police will be alerted.
Motoring offences in France
Drivers are far more likely to be breath tested in France than the UK
Drink driving limits
The drink driving laws in France are much more severe than in the UK. You are 20 times more likely to be breathalysed by French police, and the limit is 50mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood (in the UK it is 80mg). You will be fined €135 if you are over the 50mg limit, reduced to €90 if paid within 15 days. Drivers with more than 80mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood will be fined up to €4,500, may receive a custodial prison sentence, and a long term driving ban.
Driving while suspended
Driving in France while your UK licence has been suspended will also be met with a €4,500 fine. Your vehicle will be impounded and you could be imprisoned for up to two years.
Driving uninsured
If caught driving without insurance in France, you’ll be fined €500 in the first instance, with further offences leading to higher fines, up to €7500. Your vehicle could also be impounded.
Speeding
The most common way to break driving laws in France is to exceed the speed limit. This is easily done, especially if you’re not aware of the speed limits on certain types of roads in France. You’ll see warnings about fixed speed cameras, but not temporary, mobile or unmarked car-mounted cameras. You should be aware that it is illegal to operate a radar detector as part of your in-car driving technology system. So turn this functionality off before you travel.
These are the fines for the various levels of speeding offence in France:
- Less than 20 km/h in a 50 km/h zone €68
- More than 20 km/h in a 50 km/h zone €135
- Between 20-50 km/h €135
- More than 50 km/h €1500
Stay updated with driving requirements in France
While driving offences in France do not count against your UK driving licence, that does not mean you won’t get punished. Far from it!
The best way to avoid any fines or penalties is by becoming aware of what driving in France fully involves. Find out more with our dedicated guides:
FAQs
Can I appeal a fine in France?
Yes, you can appeal against a motoring fine in France, if the appeal is made within 45 days of receiving the fixed penalty notice. Appeals should be made to the Agence nationale de traitement automatisé des infractions (ANTAI).
How do I pay a motoring fine in France?
You should pay within 15 days of receiving the notice, on the ANTAI website. If you don’t pay a French driving fine within 15 days, you’ll receive a more expensive fixed penalty notice by post.
Are French speed cameras enforced for UK drivers?
Yes, if you get caught exceeding the speed limit by cameras on French roads, you will receive a fine by post.
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