Speeding ticket from our French cousins (Hire car) - Advice?

[j4ck100]

As per the title really

Just got an "Avis de contravention" through from the French authorities for 25kph over the limit on a motorway back in January. It was emailed to me by Europcar who also hit me with a 35 euro fee for giving them my details, delightful.

The question is, should I pay it? A poster elsewhere seems to think there will be no consequences if I don't as they wont chase me over 90 euros. Some seem to think Europcar can take the payment direct but I asked and they said they do not do that and wash their hands of it once they have furnished my details.

Advice appreciated

Thanks

[surveyor]

are you ever going to France again?

[j4ck100]

Yes but I hope to never be driving a rented Honda Jazz 1.2 in silver again! Other poster thinks there is still no cross-border agreement so it will "go away".

[surveyor]

why ask then?

[j4ck100]

Because he could be chatting st for all I know and I'll have the gendarmerie roll up at my door, throw me in an Espace and house me in a tent in Calais awaiting trial.

[CAPP0]

I imagine that the outcome will be the same as the other 1,379 times this has been asked on here.

[surveyor]

Wonder what happens if you get stopped in France again?

[IanMorewood]

surveyor said:

Wonder what happens if you get stopped in France again?

My limited knowledge of French Gendarmes they cram you in the back of a van breath stale garlic and cigarette fumes all over you whilst driving you to the nearest cash point.

[j4ck100]

Which is ?

I've read a couple but each time there are mixed opinions then the OP just pays. Never seen concrete info on what happens if no payment made.

[donkmeister]

At least the hire car company passed it on to you.
I did it in my own car years ago and I STILL haven't got my souvenir photo. Jolly good idea to have those cameras though, why should you have to get on a roller coaster to get a photo of you enjoying 100mph through a twisty route?

[anothernameitist]

From the 1st April 2016 the law in France will change.

Up on entering France ( legally) and in a motor vehicle, you will be required to disclose any outstanding fines and pay those fines in full plus intrest.

then you will be clear to carry your journey.

HTH

[vanordinaire]

Don't the hire company just pay it and charge it to your card? I'm sure it was France that that happened to me. Or is that just fixed penalties?

[Riley Blue]

Appropriate date.

[vanordinaire]

vanordinaire said:

Don't the hire company just pay it and charge it to your card? I'm sure it was France that that happened to me. Or is that just fixed penalties?

Sorry, I just noticed you mentioned this in your original post that your hire company don't do this

[j4ck100]

I don't believe it gets taken straight from the card on file - Europcar seemed to infer they charge for the details to be passed on, then wash their hands of it. Upon entering France, how are they going to check if drivers have unpaid fines? To pay or not to pay, that is the question.

[surveyor]

j4ck100 said:

I don't believe it gets taken straight from the card on file - Europcar seemed to infer they charge for the details to be passed on, then wash their hands of it. Upon entering France, how are they going to check if drivers have unpaid fines? To pay or not to pay, that is the question.

I think you'll be fine until you are stopped. At that time you start to hope that they are not very good at collating details, bearing in mind that they have your address and maybe driving licence number from Europcar.

[j4ck100]

Sounds about right. If stopped I imagine they will go after me for 365euros which is the fine if you don't pay within 180 days, plus interest so could be looking at 500eur all in.

I assume when the new EU legislation comes in for cross border enforcement, it won't cater for back-dated offences outstanding ?

[superlightr]

we are leaving the EU anyway - I would ignore it.

[donkmeister]

anothernameitist said:

From the 1st April 2016 the law in France will change.

Up on entering France ( legally) and in a motor vehicle, you will be required to disclose any outstanding fines and pay those fines in full plus intrest.

then you will be clear to carry your journey.

HTH

I wonder how that tallies with UK rules? I.e. can the French Home Office actually officially get driver details for this purpose?

[donkmeister]

No, there isn't a form for a foreign government to apply for driver details. However a private car park in france presumably CAN request details.
https://www.gov.uk/request-information-from-dvla