Tuesday 30 June 2015

New French Driving Laws


If you are driving in France any time soon you will need to be aware of these new laws that come into force on July 1st 2015:

Break the following new rules and you can be fined and get points:

  • Driving under the influence of drugs - 4,500€ fine and 6 points
  • Drink driving is already against the law but now the limits for new drivers i.e. anyone who took their test less than 3 years ago has been reduced from 0.5g/l to 0.2g/l - break this and expect a fine of 4,500€ and 6 points
  • Watching a screen that is not a driving aid - so it's OK to use a Sat Nav but not watch a DVD - 1,500€ fine and 3 points
  • Texting - 135€ fine and 3 points
  • Using headphones (both external and in-ear types).  This includes cyclists and only using one earphone - 135€ fine and 3 points
  • Not wearing your seatbelt - 135€ fine and 3 points
  • Smoking with a minor on board - this law has yet to be passed but it is believed it will be very soon - 68€ fine and points yet to be announced.  I am guessing this law will apply to anyone in the car, not just the driver.

These new laws could get you a 75€ fine depending on the discretion of the police officer who catches you:

  • Eating a sandwich ... I am not sure if this law applies to all foods though.  Is a sweet OK for example?  Maybe some-one better informed can advise me.
  • Rummaging in the glove compartment
  • Listening to overly loud music that means you cannot hear normal road noises
  • Applying make-up, even if you are stuck in a traffic jam.


For further information on driving in France please do pop on over and read this blog I wrote recently - it could save you getting caught breaking the law and should help making your driving in France easier.



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24 comments :

  1. Tougher driving safety laws are a good thing. Enforcing them is another matter.

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  2. Good to know for when I come back!

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  3. Thank you for sharing, we're hoping to PPP over next year and my husband often eats & drives! I'm please to see the smoking with a minor in there, I hate seeing that.

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    1. I do eat and drive sometimes but I best stop now.

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  4. Thanks. We will be driving in France in August, good to know the new rules.

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    1. Glad I could help. Where are you heading?

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    2. We are staying near Issoire, down south. Showed this to my husband, he says the eating one is the one we have to watch, he often will snack whilst driving.

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    3. I too eat whilst driving from time to time so will have to try and stop this one. Have fun down south - can we tempt you to Normandy another time?!

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  5. Thank you. We may drive to France later this year so these are good to know

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    1. Glad I can help - where in France are you thinking about visiting?

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  6. All of these are a step in the right direction as France's death toll went up again last year, but I think texting should have a higher fine. A friend got knocked off his motorbike recently by a motorist texting, it's the cause of so many accidents.

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    1. I agree - I cannot believe how many people I see texting and driving. Is life more important than a text?

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  7. I think these fines are pretty small considering. They're for everyone's benefit so I'm all for making the penalties steeper. I like that proposed smoking law. Kids shouldn't have to be subjected to the fumes. Hope that passes

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  8. Very interesting new rules, although I agree that some of the fines are pretty small for what could be potentially fatal. Will need to bear the food one in mind when we're in France this summer!!
    #AllAboutFrance

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    1. Yup - that's one I tend to do. Where in France are you heading this summer?

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    2. We'll be at my in-laws in the Avignon area - I can't wait :-)

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  9. Great graphic! :) Thanks for posting these!

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  10. Even drinking soda pop in the car is illegal in France. I once asked in a local car parts store where I could find the cup holders for my car, and got the funniest looks.

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    1. I suppose anything not directly involved in driving can be distracting but how you enforce these new laws is, as others have said, the crucial point.

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