Fines for traffic violations in France
Fines for traffic violations in France are quite severe, but can be reduced if paid up front. If you do not pay for more than 3 months, the amount of the fine increases.
You can pay fines online on the government website: www.amendes.gouv.fr
Fine for not wearing a seat belt
Seat belts must be fastened on all vehicle passengers. Children under 10 years of age must be seated in an EU-approved child seat suitable for weight and age.
The fine for not wearing a seat belt is €135.
Speeding fine
The maximum permitted speed on highways is 130 km/h, on regional roads – 80 km/h, in populated areas – 50 km/h. In case of bad weather and limited visibility, the maximum permissible speed is reduced to 50 km/h, even on the highway.
The fine for speeding OUTSIDE residential areas WITHIN 20 km/h is € 68.
As the speed increases, fines increase exponentially:
- speeding from 20 to 50 km/h is punishable by a fine of € 135,
- speeding by more than 50 km/h is punishable a fine of € 1,500 and confiscation of the vehicle.
On the highway, the permissible error is a maximum of 10 km/h. In the city – officially – already 1 km/h is considered an excess, in fact – 2 – 5 km/h, depending on the type of radar. Fines for violating the speed limit within a residential area exceeding 20 km/h are €135.
Alcohol level
In France, it is legal to drink a small amount of alcohol and then drive a vehicle. Usually about 0.5 liters of beer or a glass of wine is allowed. The permissible blood alcohol content is 0.5 ppm.
If your blood alcohol content is between 0.5 and 0.8 ppm (0.25 – 0.4 ppm in exhaled air), you will face a fine of €135 and a driving ban in France for 3 years.
Driving with an alcohol level above 0.8 ppm in the blood (above 0.4 ppm in the exhaled air) – a fine of up to € 4,500 and a driving ban in France for 3 years.
Cell phones
Using a mobile phone while driving is prohibited. Hands-free systems, however, are allowed.
The fine for using a mobile phone while driving is €135.
Reflective vest and warning triangle
All vehicles are required to have a warning triangle and a reflective vest (the latter inside the car).
The fine for not wearing a vest or warning triangle is €135.
Other fines in France
- Driving in the emergency stop lane along the highway costs 135 euros.
- Watching movies while driving – 1500 euros
- Use of radar warning devices – 1500 euros
- Wrong parking – 17 euros
It must be remembered that fines in France can still increase over time if you do not pay on time! Basically, incorrect parking (unpaid or too long) will result in a fine of €17, which will turn into €33 if not paid in the first 45 days.
Fines for illegal parking (in an unauthorized location or in a manner that obstructs traffic) range from €35, €68 or €135, which becomes €75, €180 and €375 if not paid within the first 3 months. The amount depends on the severity of the violation. The greater the interference with other transport, the higher the fine.
Since January 2006, fines can be paid online through the website www.amendes.gouv.fr.
Fines for traffic violations in France
Serious Violations
| Violation Type | Prison Term | Fine | Penalty Points | Driving Ban |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Death caused by dangerous driving | ≥ 10 years | ≥ €150,000 | 6 | 5 years |
| Serious injury from reckless driving | ≥ 3 years | ≥ €45,000 | 6 | 3 years |
| Driving with a blood alcohol level ≥ 0.8‰ or evading an alcohol test | 2 years | €4,500 | 6 | 3 years |
| Drunk driving – repeat offense | 4 years | €9,000 | 6 | 3 years |
| Drug driving or interfering with a drug test | 2 years | €4,500 | 6 | 3 years |
| Driving without a license | 1 year | €15,000 | — | — |
| Driving during disqualification | 2 years | €4,500 | 6 | 3 years |
| Challenging disqualification | 2 years | €4,500 | — | 3 years |
| Leaving the scene of an accident | 2 years | €30,000 | 6 | 5 years |
| Speeding over 50 km/h – second offense | 3 months | €3,750 | 6 | 3 years |
| Evading cooperation | 3 months | €3,750 | 6 | 3 years |
| Driving with fake license | 5-7 years | €3,750 — €30,000 | 6 | 3 years |
| Driving without insurance | — | €3,750 | — | 3 years |
| Obstructing or interfering with traffic | 2 years | €4,500 | 6 | 3 years |
| Displaying device to modify moped/motorbike speed limiter | 2 years | €30,000 | — | 3 years |
| Using devices that show or interfere with road camera operation | 2 years | €30,000 | — | 3 years |
Minor Violations – Class 5
| Violation | Fine | Penalty Points | Driving Ban |
|---|---|---|---|
| Driving while watching video | €1,500 | 3 | — |
| Using illegal radar detectors | €1,500 | 6 | — |
| Causing minor harm from careless driving | €1,500 | — | 3 years |
| Speeding over 50 km/h | €1,500 | 6 | 3 years |
Minor Violations – Class 4
| Violation | Fine | Penalty Points | Driving Ban |
|---|---|---|---|
| Using a mobile phone while driving | €135 (1) | 3 | — |
| Driving contrary to rules | €135 (1) | 3 | 3 years |
| Driving agricultural machinery | €135 (1) | — | — |
| Alcohol intoxication: 0.25 to 0.4‰ in breath, 0.5 to 0.8‰ in blood | €135 (1) | 6 | 3 years |
| Failing to yield | €135 (1) | 4 | 3 years |
| Running a red light or not stopping at a STOP sign | €135 (1) | 4 | 3 years |
| Driving on a closed road | €135 (1) | 4 | 3 years |
| U-turn on a highway | €135 (1) | 4 | 3 years |
| Driving at night with headlights off | €135 (1) | 4 | 3 years |
| Failing to maintain distance | €135 (1) | 3 | 3 years |
| Dangerous overtaking | €135 (1) | 3 | 3 years |
| Driving in the left lane without necessity | €135 (1) | 3 | 3 years |
| Crossing a solid line | €135 (1) | 3 | 3 years |
| Driving on a solid line | €135 (1) | 1 | 3 years |
| Accelerating when overtaken | €135 (1) | 2 | 3 years |
| Not moving to the right lane when overtaken | €135 (1) | — | — |
| Leaving the roadway or entering emergency lanes | €135 (1) | — | — |
| Riding without a helmet on two-wheel vehicles | €135 (1) | 3 | — |
| Not wearing a seatbelt | €135 (1) | 3 | — |
| Missing reflective vest or emergency stop sign | €135 (1) | — | — |
| Using a vehicle with a faulty wheel | €135 (1) | — | — |
| Missing or unreadable license plates | €135 (1) | — | — |
| Driving without car registration documents | €135 (1) | — | — |
| Using a vehicle without technical inspection | €135 (1) | — | — |
| Failing to yield when entering a highway | €135 (2) | 4 | 3 years |
Speeding Violations
| Violation | Fine | Penalty Points | Driving Ban |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speeding from 40 to 50 km/h | €135 (1) | 4 | 3 years |
| Speeding from 30 to 40 km/h | €135 (1) | 3 | 3 years |
| Speeding from 20 to 30 km/h | €135 (1) | 2 | — |
| Speeding up to 20 km/h when speed limit ≤ 50 km/h | €135 (1) | 1 | — |
Parking Violations
| Violation | Fine | Penalty Points | Driving Ban |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dangerous or incorrect stopping/parking | €135 (2) | 3 | 3 years |
| Stopping/parking at night without illumination | €135 (2) | 3 | 3 years |
| Reckless parking | €135 (2) | — | — |
Minor Violations – Class 3
| Violation | Fine | Penalty Points | Driving Ban |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speeding up to 20 km/h with speed limit ≥ 50 km/h | €68 (3) | 1 | — |
| Using a vehicle with an uninstalled braking system | €68 (3) | — | — |
Minor Violations – Class 2
| Violation | Fine | Penalty Points | Driving Ban |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unexpected turn without warning | €35 (4) | 3 | 3 years |
| Driving on the shoulder | €35 (4) | 3 | 3 years |
| Refusal to pay toll roads | €35 (4) | — | — |
| Improper stopping or parking | €35 (5) | — | — |
Minor Violations – Class 1
ViolationFinePenalty PointsDriving Ban
| Incorrect parking | €17 (6) | — | — |
Notes:
- (€90 if paid within 3 or 15 days, depending on the violation, or €375 if paid after 45 days)
- (€375 if paid after 45 days)
- (€45 if paid within 3 or 15 days, depending on the violation)
- (€22 if paid within 3 or 15 days, depending on the violation, or €75 if paid after 45 days)
- (€75 if paid after 45 days)
- (€33 if paid after 45 days)
Related links
- France by car
- Traffic Rules in France
- Toll roads in France
- Fines for traffic violations in France
- Parking in France
- How to Travel Cheaper in France