Do they ever stop?

[Ekona]

So this year at LM I got done for speeding: Fair cop and all that, was doing 180kmh+ in a 110kmh (yes, not big or clever) and was pulled over by the gendarmes. Got a lovely 750EU on-the-spot fine and my licence confiscated, and had to get a friend's missus to drive my car back as my gf wasn't old enough to go on the insurance. Get back to the UK, wait a couple of weeks and I get my licence returned to me along with a letter confirming that I'm banned from driving over there for three months. Fair enough I thinks, consider that a lesson seriously learned and something that I'll never do again.


Fast forward to today, the day after my 30th birthday. Official-looking French envelope drops through the post kindly asking for another 750EU complete with an envelope to send payment back with. Oh yay, just what I wanted for my birthday, how did they know?! Apparently (if my dodgy French is correct) they decided on the extra fine back in August, but have only just gotten around to asking for payment. And I thought our administration was rubbish...!


Someone please tell me that at some point in the future they'll leave me be and stop sending me fines? Seriously expensive lesson learnt here, so I thought it might be worth while posting up as if it stops just one other fellow PH'er going through what I've gone through, then I guess it's worth it.

[Vette_1978]

Happy Birthday!

[E31Shrew]

Can they chase you for the cash? Or just do you if you go back to France?

[Nick M]

Ekona said:

Fast forward to today, the day after my 30th birthday. Official-looking French envelope drops through the post kindly asking for another 750EU complete with an envelope to send payment back with. Oh yay, just what I wanted for my birthday, how did they know?! Apparently (if my dodgy French is correct) they decided on the extra fine back in August, but have only just gotten around to asking for payment. And I thought our administration was rubbish...!

Just want to clarify something here if I may.

There were various threads from Le Mans 2008 and 2009 where people had paid on the spot fines of €750, had their licence taken, blah, blah.

Then, when it actually went to court the fine was simply *confirmed* as being €750, with the on-the-spot payment back on the day of offence being treated as, in effect, a payment on account.

Are you sure they're asking for an *additional* €750 on top of what was paid, i.e. a total fine of €1,500, or have they not made the letter very clear to reflect that you already made a payment back in June ?

[Ekona]

Nick M said:

Just want to clarify something here if I may.

There were various threads from Le Mans 2008 and 2009 where people had paid on the spot fines of €750, had their licence taken, blah, blah.

Then, when it actually went to court the fine was simply *confirmed* as being €750, with the on-the-spot payment back on the day of offence being treated as, in effect, a payment on account.

Are you sure they're asking for an *additional* €750 on top of what was paid, i.e. a total fine of €1,500, or have they not made the letter very clear to reflect that you already made a payment back in June ?

It's definitely for an additional 750EU: There's a website that it gives for you to tap in the fine code that comes on the paperwork that allows you to pay them direct, much like how the DVLA system for paying car tax works over here. The letter mentions nothing about the fine paid previously, however I do know that they're extremely strict on anyone doing more than 50km/h over the posted limit and are more than happy to go to town with the fines. I believe that the max they can fine you in your absence is 1500EU for speeding (am happy to be corrected on that) so it looks like they've done as much as they can without recalling me for another court case.

When I received my licence back the accompanying letter stated that I was banned for 3 months in France, but didn't say anything about a further fine which is why this has come as a bit of a surprise. I'm very fortunate in the sense that I do have the money to be able to pay this additional fine, but not so much that it doesn't still really hurt the bank balance! I've asked a French friend of mine to look it over and see what she thinks about it, but tbh seeing as how I do want to return to France at some point in the future I see little choice but to pay it. After all, it was my own silly fault in the first place and as long as I get to keep my car away from French crushers I think I'll consider myself fortunate.

[Nick M]

Ekona said:

Nick M said:

Just want to clarify something here if I may.

There were various threads from Le Mans 2008 and 2009 where people had paid on the spot fines of €750, had their licence taken, blah, blah.

Then, when it actually went to court the fine was simply *confirmed* as being €750, with the on-the-spot payment back on the day of offence being treated as, in effect, a payment on account.

Are you sure they're asking for an *additional* €750 on top of what was paid, i.e. a total fine of €1,500, or have they not made the letter very clear to reflect that you already made a payment back in June ?

It's definitely for an additional 750EU: There's a website that it gives for you to tap in the fine code that comes on the paperwork that allows you to pay them direct, much like how the DVLA system for paying car tax works over here. The letter mentions nothing about the fine paid previously, however I do know that they're extremely strict on anyone doing more than 50km/h over the posted limit and are more than happy to go to town with the fines. I believe that the max they can fine you in your absence is 1500EU for speeding (am happy to be corrected on that) so it looks like they've done as much as they can without recalling me for another court case.

When I received my licence back the accompanying letter stated that I was banned for 3 months in France, but didn't say anything about a further fine which is why this has come as a bit of a surprise. I'm very fortunate in the sense that I do have the money to be able to pay this additional fine, but not so much that it doesn't still really hurt the bank balance! I've asked a French friend of mine to look it over and see what she thinks about it, but tbh seeing as how I do want to return to France at some point in the future I see little choice but to pay it. After all, it was my own silly fault in the first place and as long as I get to keep my car away from French crushers I think I'll consider myself fortunate.

Before you click 'send' on that payment, have a look through the previous threads on here to see if there are any clues from the letters others had received. Most of them were letters to confirm the original fine stood but that no additional amounts were due.

Fair play to you for putting your hand up and saying it's a fair cop, but make sure you're not just giving away money you don't need to.

[leyorkie]

Living near Le Mans we read the local papers with interest over the 24 Hours week.
You are lucky, an English guy with his teenage son were caught near La Fleche similar speed, car confiscated and court appearance in September, make your own way home! The police know what to expect and they are ready for you, they cancel leave , draw in from other area's etc. They are ready and waiting. Similar situation with the MOTO GP but mainly document checks.
I don't know many drivers here who have not been caught over th last 12/18 months some twice, myself I got 97 in a 90 48 euros thank you , we see speed checks in lots of new places so now you proceed with caution as you cannot be sure where they are. Autoplus magazine highlighted a spot where the park on an adjacent road to the one they are checking. I my case they we well inside a rest halt with a clear line of view back onto the road.
Speeding has it own tariff, but if you can't produce your licence it's a fine of up to 15,000 euros and a walk home with the car impounded.
I still had a good blast up the N138 3 weeks ago 90 mph all the way great fun and brought back all the memories of French roads 20 years ago.

Ah well 'till next year.

[NormanD]

I agree with the above

As NO mention of the 750 fine on the spot ask if that has been taken into account
Have they mentioned anything about a 1,500 fine, if not looks like just 750 (that you have paid)

Do you still have the recipt for payment, copy it and send that back with your letter

Edited by NormanD on Friday 4th December 17:26

[NormanD]

Out of interest in the UK you would be unlucky to get Pulled for LESS that 10% + 2mph over the speed limit
So 30mph limit would be 35mph, in a 70 limit it would be 79mph

Any of you living in France know if there is a simular arrangment,
even if the %age etc is differant, and if so what numbers

[Ekona]

NormanD said:

As NO mention of the 750 fine on the spot ask if that has been taken into account
Have they mentioned anything about a 1,500 fine, if not looks like just 750 (that you have paid)

Do you still have the recipt for payment, copy it and send that back with your letter

I do still have the receipt (I made sure I kept everything if for nothing else just a momento of the trip!) so I guess it can't hurt just to ask the question. My friend got caught at the same time at the same speed (he was in front of me) and has had the same letter through today himself, so at least there's two of us in the same boat who can share info back and forth.

Many thanks to everyone who's posted for your comments, I'll have to do a bit of searching and post back with my findings.

[rlw]

NormanD said:

Out of interest in the UK you would be unlucky to get Pulled for LESS that 10% + 2mph over the speed limit
So 30mph limit would be 35mph, in a 70 limit it would be 79mph

Any of you living in France know if there is a simular arrangment,
even if the %age etc is differant, and if so what numbers

Don't live in France but as far as I know there is no "allowance". The limit is 90/110/130 or whatever and its down to you not to break it. Simple system but a PITA given that speedos are not 100% accurate although most, of course, over-read so stick to what it says on the clock and you should be OK.

[NormanD]

rlw said:

NormanD said:

Out of interest in the UK you would be unlucky to get Pulled for LESS that 10% + 2mph over the speed limit
So 30mph limit would be 35mph, in a 70 limit it would be 79mph

Any of you living in France know if there is a simular arrangment,
even if the %age etc is differant, and if so what numbers

Don't live in France but as far as I know there is no "allowance". The limit is 90/110/130 or whatever and its down to you not to break it. Simple system but a PITA given that speedos are not 100% accurate although most, of course, over-read so stick to what it says on the clock and you should be OK.

Thank's for the tip.

You can always set the SatNav to show 'Speed' to be sure

(The Jag shows 5MPH over all through the speed range)

[lowdrag]

The rules of speeding in France are simple. A slight infringement, €90 on the spot. Up to 30kph over the prevailing limit can be higher. More than 30kph over the limit, bigger fine. More than 50kph over the limit is usually confiscation of licence and about €750 euros minimum fine. Please scan and email me the court papers and I'll advise you. I got done a few years back and had to pay a fine of €1,500 but at the court I was fined only €750 but it took me two years and a lot of fighting to get the other €750 back, less a €90 "administration fee"

ETA:- As regards not paying and getting caught, you would be unlucky but they do keep your registration number on the computer which is in every police car now. However, a friend was stopped at customs when they scanned his passport - which I assume they asked to see. His details, with address, appeared on the system and he had to cough up before continuing in France. I still feel that perhaps you are mistaken and that the total fine is €750. I hope so. I await the papers.

Edited by lowdrag on Sunday 6th December 14:23

[leyorkie]

The allowance for speeding in France is up to 100k -5k, over 100k -5%
This is stated on the back of the notice that you get in the post.

[lowdrag]

leyorkie said:

The allowance for speeding in France is up to 100k -5k, over 100k -5%
This is stated on the back of the notice that you get in the post.

Used to be. With the newer more accurate radars they are reducing the margin to 3%

[Ekona]

Indeed, their speed gun said 180km/h but they ticketed me for 171km/h. A bit irrelevant in the grand scheme of things, but at least they acknowledge that their speed guns aren't perfect.

Many thanks for the offer Lowdrag, I've sent you an e-mail.

[lowdrag]

For the information of you all, it seems that the sum that the OP has to pay is exactly what he paid on the day. The fine is 750€ and not 1,500€ as he thought. It seems that they haven't taken into account the original payment so I have asked for proof of payment. There have been a few - so don't start sounding off here - instances of gendarmes pocketing the cash and thus it hasn't been recorded. Such instances are, I hasten to add, very few and far between, not the norm. So, once I have the copy of the receipt I can settle the matter quickly on his behalf. Problem solved. Oh, and the gendarmes concerned in such thefts have received prison sentences and dismissal from the army. Please don't start saying that the french are bds and so on; I know a lot of them here and most are friends of mine and very pro the English, but they have a job to do. They actually bend over backwards to make your life easy, not the contrary.

[Coupe_bloke]

Great result for O/P, given what he feared. Good remider for us all - thanks for being honest.

[318is boy]

you've payed more than enough! they wont chase you up for it imo, however if you were pulled in france in the future and they found out about your unpaid fine...... i suppose you would just have to say you never recieved the letter and thought the initial 750 had covered it or in true PH style send a white flag back in the pre paid envolope

[lowdrag]

318is boy said:

you've payed more than enough! they wont chase you up for it imo, however if you were pulled in france in the future and they found out about your unpaid fine...... i suppose you would just have to say you never recieved the letter and thought the initial 750 had covered it or in true PH style send a white flag back in the pre paid envolope

I guess the word "boy" in your name says it all. Such a stupid reply to a serious question.