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Road traffic offenses in Europe
Verified 09 January 2023 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
What applies to you ?
Can you be prosecuted as a result of infringement road traffic committed in another country of the European Union ? We tell you the rules to know depending on whether you are a French driver in Europe or a European driver in France.
Warning
Since Brexit, the United Kingdom is no longer part of the the European Union, or The European Economic Area (EEA).
French driver in Europe
Cross-border lawsuits concern 8 infringements following:
- Speeding
- Non-use of seat belt
- Red light crossing
- Impaired driving
- Driving under the influence of drugs
- Non-wearing of helmet
- Traffic on a prohibited lane
- Use of a mobile phone (or other communication equipment) while driving
Depending on the country and the offense committed, you risk, among other things, sanctions following:
- Immediate payment of a fine
- Obligation to post a bond
- Retention or suspension of the license
- Immobilization of the vehicle
- Vehicle impoundment
If you commit an offense without being arrested on the spot, a mail is addressed to your home informing you of the infringement committed and the corresponding penalty.
The letter from notification, drafted in French, shall specify in particular the following information:
- Details of the offense (nature, place, date and time...)
- Means and date of payment of the fine
- Appeals procedures
The applicable rules are the rules of the country where you committed the offense (amount of fine, prosecution proceedings).
FYI
the majority of European countries have a points driver's license. However, you do not lose points on your French license in case road traffic offense abroad.
European driver in France
If you commit a infringement in France, you may have to pay a flat-rate fine or a consignment.
In addition, depending on your nationality, you may be prosecuted and punished upon your return to your country.
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You are German, Austrian, Belgian, Danish, Spanish, Estonian, Hungarian, Irish, Italian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Luxembourg, Monegasque, Dutch, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Slovak, Swedish, Swiss, Czech
You have a home or a job in France
In the event of a traffic offense in France, you may have to pay a flat-rate fine.
If you were not immediately arrested in France, you can be continued upon your return to your country for subsequent offenses :
- Speeding
- Non-use of seat belt
- Red light crossing
- Impaired driving
- Driving under the influence of drugs
- Non-wearing of helmet
- Traffic on a prohibited lane
- Use of a mobile phone (or other communication equipment) while driving
You receive a notice of violation written in the language of your country.
The notice of contravention shall indicate in particular the nature, date and time of the infringement, the amount of the fine, the means of payment and the procedure for challenging it.
One call center informs you if necessary on your steps:
Who shall I contact
You have a deposit approved by the administration (e.g. automobile club, touring club)
In the event of a traffic offense in France, you may have to pay a flat-rate fine.
If you were not immediately arrested in France, you may be continued upon your return to your country for the following offenses:
- Speeding
- Non-use of seat belt
- Red light crossing
- Impaired driving
- Driving under the influence of drugs
- Non-wearing of helmet
- Traffic on a prohibited lane
- Use of a mobile phone (or other communication equipment) while driving
You receive a notice of violation written in the language of your country.
The notice of contravention shall indicate, in particular, the nature, date and time of the infringement, the amount of the fine, the means of payment and the procedure for challenging it.
One call center informs you if necessary on your steps:
Who shall I contact
You're in a different situation
In the event of a traffic offense in France, you may have to pay a flat-rate fine.
If you cannot pay it or if the offense committed is not punished by a lump sum fine, your vehicle may be detained until payment of a consignment.
The public prosecutor shall take a decision within a maximum of 24 hours following the finding of the infringement.
The upright of the recorded sum varies by seriousness of the infringement.
If you do not pay the deposit, your vehicle may be impounded.
The expense are at your expense.
If you were not immediately arrested in France, you can be continued upon your return to your country for the following offenses:
- Speeding
- Non-use of seat belt
- Red light crossing
- Impaired driving
- Driving under the influence of drugs
- Non-wearing of helmet
- Traffic on a prohibited lane
- Use of a mobile phone (or other communication equipment) while driving
You receive a notice of violation written in the language of your country.
The notice of contravention shall indicate, in particular, the nature, date and time of the infringement, the amount of the fine, the means of payment and the procedure for challenging it.
One call center informs you if necessary on your steps:
Who shall I contact
You're from another country
You have a home or a job in France
In the event of a traffic offense in France, you may have to to pay a flat-rate fine.
One call center informs you if necessary on your steps:
Who shall I contact
You have a deposit approved by the administration (e.g. automobile club, touring club)
In the event of a traffic offense in France, you may have to to pay a flat-rate fine.
One call center informs you if necessary on your steps:
Who shall I contact
You're in a different situation
In the event of a traffic offense in France, you may have to to pay a flat-rate fine.
One call center informs you if necessary on your steps:
Who shall I contact
If you cannot pay it or if the offense committed is not punishable by a lump sum fine, your vehicle may be withheld until payment of a consignment.
The public prosecutor shall take a decision within a maximum of 24 hours following the finding of the infringement.
The upright of the recorded sum varies by seriousness of the infringement.
If you do not pay the deposit, your vehicle may be impounded.
The expense are at your load.
Article L121-4
Registration and communication of vehicle traffic information (Article L330-2)
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