What fine is a foreigner likely to incur in the event of a road traffic offense in France?

Verified 09 January 2023 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

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:

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:

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:

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:

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:

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:

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.

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