Speeding in France
Discussion
philcray said:
Any update on if the french are sending fines to the uk and level of fine? I fear I was flashed doing about 65mph in a 56mph on a country road...
I was with a group of mates going to Biarritz on motorbikes in June. The number of camera flashes they got (I saw them go off, I don't think any got me though) was bananas - the things are everywhere in crazy locations. Nobody has received anything.
TBH even if I did I'd just file it in the bin.
Pulled over by gendarmes this evening along with 5 French cars to be told I was traveling at 115Kph in a 90Kph area, I don't believe I was. They were not behind me at any point nor could I see their blue unmarked focus at any point until they overtook 5 cars to pull me over.
Was instructed to travel to the nearest town whilst they kept my license and V103b or whatever it is for a leased car to collect €90 for them. Felt like a shake down if I'm honest. All the frenchies handed cash over there and then - I asked for a receipt or ticket which he said he would write out.
Upon our return he said they had no time left and they had another job but had taken a photo of my documents and would send a fine in the post.
I was prepared to argue and ask for proof of my offence but he threw my documents at me and drove off - I wonder where I stand now. I'll contest if there is a ticket as I don't believe evidence was captured.
All good fun.
Driving a Smart Fortwo 453 BTW, we generally make slow progress in it ??
Was instructed to travel to the nearest town whilst they kept my license and V103b or whatever it is for a leased car to collect €90 for them. Felt like a shake down if I'm honest. All the frenchies handed cash over there and then - I asked for a receipt or ticket which he said he would write out.
Upon our return he said they had no time left and they had another job but had taken a photo of my documents and would send a fine in the post.
I was prepared to argue and ask for proof of my offence but he threw my documents at me and drove off - I wonder where I stand now. I'll contest if there is a ticket as I don't believe evidence was captured.
All good fun.
Driving a Smart Fortwo 453 BTW, we generally make slow progress in it ??
Edited by Mr Mot on Wednesday 23 August 18:01
Mr Mot said:
Pulled over by gendarmes this evening along with 5 French cars to be told I was traveling at 115Kph I don't believe I was. They were not behind me at any point nor could I see their blue unmarked focus at any point until they overtook 5 cars to pull me over.
Was instructed to travel to the nearest town whilst they kept my license and V103b or whatever it is for a leased car to collect €90 for them. Felt like a shake down if I'm honest. All the frenchies handed cash over there and then - I asked for a receipt or ticket which he said he would write out.
Upon our return he said they had no time left and they had another job but had taken a photo of my documents and would send a fine in the post.
I was prepared to argue and ask for proof of my offence but he threw my documents at me and drove off - I wonder where I stand now. I'll contest if there is a ticket as I don't believe evidence was captured.
All good fun.
Driving a Smart Fortwo 453 BTW, we generally make slow progress in it ??
I'd bet that you hear nothing.Was instructed to travel to the nearest town whilst they kept my license and V103b or whatever it is for a leased car to collect €90 for them. Felt like a shake down if I'm honest. All the frenchies handed cash over there and then - I asked for a receipt or ticket which he said he would write out.
Upon our return he said they had no time left and they had another job but had taken a photo of my documents and would send a fine in the post.
I was prepared to argue and ask for proof of my offence but he threw my documents at me and drove off - I wonder where I stand now. I'll contest if there is a ticket as I don't believe evidence was captured.
All good fun.
Driving a Smart Fortwo 453 BTW, we generally make slow progress in it ??
Mr Mot said:
I agree. Interesting though as it seems like a fairly unique situation. Will certainly update the thread if anything happens
Worst case, I owe the gendarme a good night out!
Just to check, you didn't have to hand over 90 euros then as you'd kicked up a fuss? Good effort. I think they do pull people with little proof but I'm not sure many get out of paying the fine on that basis!Worst case, I owe the gendarme a good night out!
mackay45 said:
Just to check, you didn't have to hand over 90 euros then as you'd kicked up a fuss? Good effort. I think they do pull people with little proof but I'm not sure many get out of paying the fine on that basis!
No, I didn't hand any euros over thankfully. My plan was to ask for a ticket / receipt before handing any money over as I'm always dubious with foreign police. I did ask that he write a ticket up before I left to find an ATM. If he was serious I'd imagine he could have throw in me a receipt or ticket rather than tell me it would be in the post. He'd had 20 odd minutes waiting for meGeekman said:
I live in France and do about 30k miles per year.
First things first, in a British registered car, fixed cameras, cameras mounted in parked cars and trailer cameras (yes, they do exist) cannot catch you. You could go past one at 3x the limit and it would flash, but you'd never get the fine. Anybody who tells you anything else is talking rubbish.
Gendarmes with laser guns are a different story. In a British car, they can pull you over and give you an on the spot fine which must be paid in cash, or they'll take your car. The fines seem to be €90 for pretty much anything - even drink driving provided you're not way over the limit. If you're caught going 40KPH over the limit, in theory that's when the fines start to get very steep, and you may well be banned from driving in France. Being banned in France involves them physically taking your licence, but you can apply for a new one as soon as you get home and it won't affect your UK driving status at all. Having said that, I've been stopped a few times for far more than that and got away with a €90 fine, however PH seems to be full of people who haven't been as lucky (possibly due to attitude / not speaking French I reckon).
The best defence against the gendarmes is to use a smartphone with Waze - unlike a radar detector, this is legal, and a huge number of French people use it. It's extremely rare to see a speed trap which hasn't been reported on Waze, particularly on the faster roads. Oncoming drivers tend to be good at flashing their lights to warn you as well.
Basically, whatever you do, the consequences will be less severe for you than if you'd done the same thing in England. If you're planning on going properly quick, just bring a vast amount of Euros and make sure you have someone with you to take over the driving if the worst happens.
exactly waze is brilliant for this worked a treat when I go to my mums in franceFirst things first, in a British registered car, fixed cameras, cameras mounted in parked cars and trailer cameras (yes, they do exist) cannot catch you. You could go past one at 3x the limit and it would flash, but you'd never get the fine. Anybody who tells you anything else is talking rubbish.
Gendarmes with laser guns are a different story. In a British car, they can pull you over and give you an on the spot fine which must be paid in cash, or they'll take your car. The fines seem to be €90 for pretty much anything - even drink driving provided you're not way over the limit. If you're caught going 40KPH over the limit, in theory that's when the fines start to get very steep, and you may well be banned from driving in France. Being banned in France involves them physically taking your licence, but you can apply for a new one as soon as you get home and it won't affect your UK driving status at all. Having said that, I've been stopped a few times for far more than that and got away with a €90 fine, however PH seems to be full of people who haven't been as lucky (possibly due to attitude / not speaking French I reckon).
The best defence against the gendarmes is to use a smartphone with Waze - unlike a radar detector, this is legal, and a huge number of French people use it. It's extremely rare to see a speed trap which hasn't been reported on Waze, particularly on the faster roads. Oncoming drivers tend to be good at flashing their lights to warn you as well.
Basically, whatever you do, the consequences will be less severe for you than if you'd done the same thing in England. If you're planning on going properly quick, just bring a vast amount of Euros and make sure you have someone with you to take over the driving if the worst happens.
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