Driving Regulations in France

Safety vest & warning triangle
mandatory from July 2008

From the 1 July 2008, all French registered cars, must be equipped with a fluorescent safety vest, and a warning triangle. Not having them, could result in a fine of 99 euros, for each missing item. You will find them in car shops, and supermarkets. You must keep the safety vest within reach of the driver's seat, so that you can put it on, before getting out of the car in an emergency.

CHANGES TO THE HIGHWAY CODE -
give way to pedestrians and cyclists - it is now the law JANUARY 2011

Pedestrians and cyclists in France now have the right of way over cars when crossing the road following immediate changes to the highway code.

When a pedestrian gives you a clear intention that they wish to cross the road, you must give way. Bear in mind that the new laws are not restricted to pedestrian crossings. A clear intention is defined as the pedestrian taking a step forward at the kerbside or giving a hand gesture to imply that they wish to cross.

For safety reasons, the new rule does not apply less than 50 metres away from a pedestrian crossing.

A fine of up to €135 or four points on your license is imposable for failure to respect this law. Cyclists may also skip red lights when turning right, but only at crossroads where there is a sign to that effect.

New French number plates

The present numbering system for French number plates dates back to 1950, and has nearly reached saturation point. Although over 150 million vehicles are currently registered, only around 40 million are actually in use, due to owners failing to declare the scrapping of their vehicles.

From 1st January 2009, number plates in France will follow a new system (The SIV system - "Système d'Immatriculation des Véhicules") for new vehicles.

From the 1st March 2009, this will also apply to second-hand vehicles, and when home moves, and other circumstances require changes to the registration documents (carte grise).

The new plates will be made up of two letters, three numbers, and two more letters, eg “AB-123-CD” The characters will be black on a white background with an "F" for France under the EU logo, on a blue strip to the left of the plate, and a box to the right with the owner’s department number of choice, even if he does not live in that department. The regional logo of the chosen department is also included. The vehicle will keep the same registration number throughout its life. You may choose to change, or keep the departmental number and logo.

Owners will be able to register their vehicles anywhere in France, regardless of domicile, via authorized garages, dealers or prefectures. This removes the previous necessity of changing the vehicle registration number, when moving to another department. A provisional “registration certificate” with the new registration number will be issued, on payment of the relevant tax, and valid for a month, allowing the driver to drive immediately. The carte grise will be sent by registered post to the owner’s home address, normally, within a week.

Driving Licence

Any licence issued by an EU/EEA country is recognised within France. There is no need to change a UK licence to a French one, even if you become permanently resident in France. The licence is valid until the expiry date printed on it. You may consider that it is beneficial to exchange it to a French licence, as currently, unlike the UK, there is no expiry age for a French licence.

In case the police have to add points to your licence after a serious traffic offence, you will be obliged to change your licence to a French one.

Many police officers, and prefectures still do not understand the principle of mutual recognition of Driving licences within the EU, and keep asking drivers to exchange licences even though these licences are perfectly valid. French civil servants often do not keep up to date, with regulations. When they don't know something, they just fill in the gaps themselves by guessing.

Car insurance
The main difference between car insurance in France, and the UK is that in France, you insure the car rather than the driver – once your car is insured, anyone who has your permission can drive it. You must always have evidence of insurance on the car. When you receive your insurance documents they will include a small tear-off to stick to the windscreen, as proof of insurance; you MUST also carry with you the signed certificate of insurance, together with your carte grise, and the certificate from the Control Technique, if required as a result of the age of your car.
Normally your insurer will also provide you with – un constat amiable d’accident – this is a form to fill in, if you have an accident. It has spaces for written, and sketched details of the accident, as well as insurance details for both parties. The carbon-copied form must be signed by both people involved in the accident, and then each sent off to their insurers to establish fault.

Just as in the UK, you can choose third party insurance (au tiers) or comprehensive (tous risques) and if you make a claim you will usually have to pay an excess, although you can usually choose to pay more for your policy and have no excess. A no-claims bonus system also exists. Some insurers will allow you to ‘import’ a UK no-claims bonus, and others won’t – it is worth checking when you choose your insurance company. Make sure they specify the number of years’ no-claims you have, rather than just stating ‘full no-claims bonus’ – in France it takes longer to attain a full no-claims bonus, as opposed to just five years in the UK.

Control Technique (MOT Test)

All vehicles over three years old in France, are subject to the Control Technique, and every two years thereafter. Commercial vehicles have a more stringent regime, and have their tests every year. That includes vans, and mobile homes. The first control must be passed in the six months prior to the final six months of its fourth year of registration. For example if your vehicle was first registered on the 1^st July 2004, you must present your vehicle before the Control between the 1^st January 2004 and the 30^th June 2004. When you pass the control you will be given a printed form, which will include any items the control centre feels you need to pay attention to, that do not constitute a failure. A small disc will also be stuck to the inside of the windscreen.

If your control is out of date, you are leaving yourself open to a fine of 135€. In addition the Police will issue an order of immobilisation, with an obligation to pass a control during the following week. In effect, what happens is that the Police will confiscate the Carte Gris, and issue you with a notice, allowing you to drive for one week, to allow you to present your vehicle to a Centre of Control. Upon presentation of a satisfactory Certificate of Control, the Carte Gris will be restored.

In the event that you do not present a certificate within the seven days, a notice is issued instructing you to take your vehicle to the car pound,
but you are wondering what to do to get rid of it, then you will be happy to know that the procedure is comparatively simple, and FREE

SCRAPPING YOUR OLD CAR

Every year there are more than 1.5 million cars scrapped throughout France. A VHU (véhicule hors d’usage) contains various materials that are hazardous and needs special treatment to prevent any risk of pollution.

Under Article R 322-9 of the Highway Code, owners of a VHU must dispose of the vehicle via an approved scrap dealer, (un démolisseur or broyeur agréé) who complies with environmentally friendly processing requirements.

The service is free, although a charge may be made if the vehicle has to be towed to the breaker’s yard.

Your local prefecture will be able to provide you with a list of approved démolisseurs.

You have 15 days after scrapping your vehicle to make the ‘déclaration de cession pour destruction’ at the prefecture of your choice, using a form which you can download here

The SIV (service d’immatriculation des véhicules) will acknowledge receipt and cancel the registration of your vehicle.