Demande de controle medical
Discussion
On a recent trip to France 3 of had our driving licenses removed from us by the French police for speeding. We have all received our licenses back in the post. Accompanying the license is a letter and form telling us that we must have a French doctor's medical certificate - a demande de controls medical in order to be able to drive in France. Does anyone have any experience of this? Could it be that this is a standard letter sent to French residents? Do I have to return to France to have this medical in order to be able to drive in France again - as the letter says.
Edited by flymotorbike on Thursday 21st September 07:23
It's explained here
By all accounts for a suspension of less than 6 months due to excess alcohol or drugs: En cas de suspension administrative ou judiciaire du permis de moins de 6 mois, vous ne pouvez demander la restitution de votre permis de conduire qu'à la fin de la période de suspension et si vous présentez un avis médical favorable.
So you it's saying that you do need a positive medical result to get your driving licence back after six months.
The same is the case for a suspension of more than six months.
I would suggest that they have cocked-up with the paperwork if you were stopped for speeding.
By all accounts for a suspension of less than 6 months due to excess alcohol or drugs: En cas de suspension administrative ou judiciaire du permis de moins de 6 mois, vous ne pouvez demander la restitution de votre permis de conduire qu'à la fin de la période de suspension et si vous présentez un avis médical favorable.
So you it's saying that you do need a positive medical result to get your driving licence back after six months.
The same is the case for a suspension of more than six months.
I would suggest that they have cocked-up with the paperwork if you were stopped for speeding.
I think they have made an error. I am not a lawyer
That rule may apply if you held a French licence, but they have no power over what the DVLA issue as a valid licence, just as we can't require a foreign driver to have a UK doctors note. Otherwise a lorry driver could be required to get . local doctors note from every country they drive through.
If you are carrying a valid UK issued EU licence, I think that is the end of it under freedom of movement, etc.
I may be wrong.
That rule may apply if you held a French licence, but they have no power over what the DVLA issue as a valid licence, just as we can't require a foreign driver to have a UK doctors note. Otherwise a lorry driver could be required to get . local doctors note from every country they drive through.
If you are carrying a valid UK issued EU licence, I think that is the end of it under freedom of movement, etc.
I may be wrong.
OP, if your visit was recent, the suspension is administrative (by the Prefecture) rather than judicial (too early for that stage).
How much did they take off you at the time and how long is the suspension for?
The process appears to be designed for those resident in France to get their confiscated permis de conduire returned.
Even if it turns out not to be the case, you've already got your D/L back so why not simply just let the suspension expire before any return visit?
How much did they take off you at the time and how long is the suspension for?
flymotorbike said:
Thanks for all of your input guys. A friend who is French has spoken to the person in charge of our files. It appears the medical is need in order to remove our ban in France. We can get it done in Calais though.
Hmmm. This suggests otherwise (see the post by PottyMouth) - https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...The process appears to be designed for those resident in France to get their confiscated permis de conduire returned.
Even if it turns out not to be the case, you've already got your D/L back so why not simply just let the suspension expire before any return visit?
Red Devil said:
Hmmm. This suggests otherwise (see the post by PottyMouth) - https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
The process appears to be designed for those resident in France to get their confiscated permis de conduire returned.
Even if it turns out not to be the case, you've already got your D/L back so why not simply just let the suspension expire before any return visit?
The letter and form state that I am driving on a foreign license and that I am banned from driving in France for 2 months. We were stopped on the 12th September and my license was returned in the post from France (with the letters and form) yesterday - 20th September. The form says that if I don't have the medical the ban can be extended. We have been told we can have the medical at a recommended doctor near Calais.The process appears to be designed for those resident in France to get their confiscated permis de conduire returned.
Even if it turns out not to be the case, you've already got your D/L back so why not simply just let the suspension expire before any return visit?
HantsRat said:
Rude-boy said:
You've spent too long as a copper.
Not everyone is like your usual daily fodder, something an awful lot of officers seem to forget after a few years.
Yes and a post on an internet forum confirms I think everyone is your daily fodder..... Not everyone is like your usual daily fodder, something an awful lot of officers seem to forget after a few years.
You and I both know it is something than many, many officers struggle with having once been a fresh faced 'make a difference' type and gradually (often due to those who you send the majority of your working life with actually being wronguns) becoming the world leaders in cynicism and disbelief.
In my little world we have a principal of "Trust, but verify". Long time served officers seem to have a principal of "Just because I can't see anything doggy right now means i should be looking harder."
flymotorbike said:
The form says that if I don't have the medical the ban can be extended.
Not heard of that, nor can I find any reference to it on t'internet.Is this a new development? Has anyone else from the UK come across this before?
flymotorbike said:
We have been told we can have the medical at a recommended doctor near Calais.
Er...website said:
If the result of this examination is favorable, the board or the doctor will issue you a copy of the medical opinion and send another copy to the prefecture of your place of residence.
We don't have such a thing as a prefecture in the UK so where do they propose to send it?You'll be dealing with the bureaucracy of a foreign country: I can see scope for this to go pear shaped.
The whole process is structured for those who reside in France, not visiting foreign nationals.
Assuming it does apply, and is the new normal, then it's going to be a massive inconvenience.
The suspension won't be lifted merely having the examination, so a trip for that sole purpose will be needed.
Not too bad if you live in the south east corner of the UK, but from elsewhere travelling to Calais will be a costly PITA.
Vaud said:
I don't see how it can apply.
Fitness for licence is determined by the issuing agency and home country. I don't see how the French police can add a layer of requirement?
This.Fitness for licence is determined by the issuing agency and home country. I don't see how the French police can add a layer of requirement?
It's b
ks, they can't stop you if you have a valid UK licence. And how are they going to find out anyway?jm doc said:
Vaud said:
I don't see how it can apply.
Fitness for licence is determined by the issuing agency and home country. I don't see how the French police can add a layer of requirement?
This.Fitness for licence is determined by the issuing agency and home country. I don't see how the French police can add a layer of requirement?
It's b
ks, they can't stop you if you have a valid UK licence. And how are they going to find out anyway?QuickQuack said:
This is what I'm thinking too, how on earth will anyone in France be able to recognise you as having been banned? You don't have a French licence, so by definition you don't have a record in France that can be identified centrally. It just doesn't make sense.
Would their ANPR systems pick up the car's registration number maybe?Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff