French speeding tickets being sent UK licence holders

French speeding tickets being sent UK licence holders

Author
Discussion

lowdrag

12,892 posts

213 months

Thursday 28th November 2019
quotequote all
1. No, there is no "ghost" licence and no points.

2. You can say that Rudolph was driving if you like since the French are not permitted to look "above the waist" if you get my drift to see who was actually at the wheel. Were you with the missus or the girl friend and all that.

3. Nominating another driver is fine but (no pun intended) pointless. All they want is your money.

But, there are unanswered questions still remaining here. If you don't pay the fine, will they actually take out a summons against you? The answer is we don't know. The second question is, assuming the fines have not been paid, will an automatic ANPR-style radar pick you up as you come off the ferry next time? Again, no one knows.

rdjohn

6,179 posts

195 months

Thursday 28th November 2019
quotequote all
You are obviously worried about exchanging your UK license for a French on post Brexit.

I don’t know the answer, but like you, I am curious to know - come that fateful day. Fortunately one of our French cars is in my wife’s name and like you, I tend to be in the one point zone that get reinstated after 6-months.

Beggarall

550 posts

241 months

Thursday 28th November 2019
quotequote all
rdjohn said:
You are obviously worried about exchanging your UK license for a French on post Brexit.

I don’t know the answer, but like you, I am curious to know - come that fateful day. Fortunately one of our French cars is in my wife’s name and like you, I tend to be in the one point zone that get reinstated after 6-months.
Thanks - can you explain the re-instatement process - one point after 6 months?

rdjohn

6,179 posts

195 months

Thursday 28th November 2019
quotequote all
I am not an expert as I still have my UK license.

But from what I understand if it’s a single point, then it is restored automatically after 6-months. There is a website somewhere so that you can check how many you currently have.

If you are caught doing more than 20kph over a limit then it is 3-points for a longer time.

But please don’t quote me.

magooagain

9,977 posts

170 months

Thursday 28th November 2019
quotequote all
I've had my French license for about 14 years and I've had one speeding fine with a one point penalty for six months. I recall receiving a letter to say it was cancelled.

lowdrag

12,892 posts

213 months

Thursday 28th November 2019
quotequote all
I'm currently running with 8 of my 12 points. I was caught some years ago at 72 in a 50 limit, and you have to go three years before you get those three points back. But the a year later I was caught for a speed of 77 in a 70 limit, so one point, which reset the counter back to three years. On the 27 April next year I should then get my three points back and six months later the one point.

Beggarall

550 posts

241 months

Thursday 28th November 2019
quotequote all
I have been trawling the net and amazing how difficult it is to get accurate information. It looks like the French plan to introduce "virtual licences" for foreign nationals if they haven't already done so. This would fit with my recent Violation notice which gives the option to nominate another driver and that if you just pay up as the Registered Keeper it is assumed that this is an admission of your guilt - a bit like when you return the UK NIP. I still can't get a handle on how long points remain on the licence but mostly it seems three years although sometime back it was suggested this was reduced to 2 - and nothing about 1 point being added back after 6 months. Moreover, if you are unlucky to lose all 12 points I assume you are automatically banned (for one year?) but if you have only a virtual licence, how would you know?

rdjohn

6,179 posts

195 months

Thursday 28th November 2019
quotequote all
This covers how points are actually deducted and recovered currently.

https://www.permisapoints.fr/permis-a-points

A virtual license, now that does seem interesting


lowdrag

12,892 posts

213 months

Thursday 28th November 2019
quotequote all
A virtual licence will give virtual points and a virtual ban. Being a virtuous person I see no problem. All this is smoke and mirrors as far as I am concerned. In 20 years living in France I have been stopped in a control but twice, and I haven't seen a control for a couple of years now.

Heathlegend

6 posts

58 months

Tuesday 28th January 2020
quotequote all
I just received what I think is a French speeding ticket... 5 months after returning from France and the document is written entirely in French, I can't understand a word. Does that mean I legally haven't been made aware of the contravention?

The level of arrogance that some of the French have really astounds me. If the French are capable of implementing an automated system that sends out tickets, they are also capable of setting up that system to translate the letter to the delivery country.

Further to the "simples" comments in this forum, I have to tell you that it is "simples" not the case that by explaining French rationale for their own Law it makes it "simples" for them to enforce it in countries outside of France.

The reality of the situation is - the owning a house in France analogy only works if the house in question is a caravan that has been caught speeding, whilst being driven by people that are not the owner!

The rule of thumb (that the French really need to accept) is: FRENCH LAW IS APPLICABLE IN FRANCE. AND FRANCE ONLY. THE END. YOU CAN NOT ENFORCE FRENCH LAW OUTSIDE OF FRANCE. IF YOU ARE FOUND GUILTY OF SOMETHING IN FRANCE AND THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT TRIES TO BRING A CASE FORWARD IN A UK COURT THE UK COURT WILL REJECT IT... WHY YOU ASK!?

BECAUSE WE ARE NOT IN FRANCE AND WE ARE NOT GOVERNED BY FRENCH LAW! THANK GOD!.. BECAUSE OTHERWISE WE'D ALL HAVE SPEEDING TICKETS CAUSED BY PEOPLE CLONING OUR NUMBER PLATES, WITH NO RECOURSE!

paulwirral

3,133 posts

135 months

Tuesday 28th January 2020
quotequote all
I'll bet I'm not the only one that's going to be watching this ?

lowdrag

12,892 posts

213 months

Tuesday 28th January 2020
quotequote all
Of course, the reason that the Indians and South Africans (for example) speak English is that we bothered to learn their language - not. Since it s cold and wet here - in France - scan the papers and I'll post a précis (good English word that) of what it says. It'll be a coup and a bit of déjà vu I think.

Wombat3

12,151 posts

206 months

Tuesday 28th January 2020
quotequote all
Heathlegend said:
I just received what I think is a French speeding ticket... 5 months after returning from France and the document is written entirely in French, I can't understand a word. Does that mean I legally haven't been made aware of the contravention?

The level of arrogance that some of the French have really astounds me. If the French are capable of implementing an automated system that sends out tickets, they are also capable of setting up that system to translate the letter to the delivery country.

Further to the "simples" comments in this forum, I have to tell you that it is "simples" not the case that by explaining French rationale for their own Law it makes it "simples" for them to enforce it in countries outside of France.

The reality of the situation is - the owning a house in France analogy only works if the house in question is a caravan that has been caught speeding, whilst being driven by people that are not the owner!

The rule of thumb (that the French really need to accept) is: FRENCH LAW IS APPLICABLE IN FRANCE. AND FRANCE ONLY. THE END. YOU CAN NOT ENFORCE FRENCH LAW OUTSIDE OF FRANCE. IF YOU ARE FOUND GUILTY OF SOMETHING IN FRANCE AND THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT TRIES TO BRING A CASE FORWARD IN A UK COURT THE UK COURT WILL REJECT IT... WHY YOU ASK!?

BECAUSE WE ARE NOT IN FRANCE AND WE ARE NOT GOVERNED BY FRENCH LAW! THANK GOD!.. BECAUSE OTHERWISE WE'D ALL HAVE SPEEDING TICKETS CAUSED BY PEOPLE CLONING OUR NUMBER PLATES, WITH NO RECOURSE!
Yep, you are right, they are not going to send the Gendarmes through the tunnel to come after you.

Can't say what might happen if you venture back through the tunnel in the same vehicle though wink

Beggarall

550 posts

241 months

Tuesday 28th January 2020
quotequote all
Heathlegend said:
I just received what I think is a French speeding ticket... 5 months after returning from France and the document is written entirely in French, I can't understand a word. Does that mean I legally haven't been made aware of the contravention?

The level of arrogance that some of the French have really astounds me. If the French are capable of implementing an automated system that sends out tickets, they are also capable of setting up that system to translate the letter to the delivery country.

Further to the "simples" comments in this forum, I have to tell you that it is "simples" not the case that by explaining French rationale for their own Law it makes it "simples" for them to enforce it in countries outside of France.

The reality of the situation is - the owning a house in France analogy only works if the house in question is a caravan that has been caught speeding, whilst being driven by people that are not the owner!

The rule of thumb (that the French really need to accept) is: FRENCH LAW IS APPLICABLE IN FRANCE. AND FRANCE ONLY. THE END. YOU CAN NOT ENFORCE FRENCH LAW OUTSIDE OF FRANCE. IF YOU ARE FOUND GUILTY OF SOMETHING IN FRANCE AND THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT TRIES TO BRING A CASE FORWARD IN A UK COURT THE UK COURT WILL REJECT IT... WHY YOU ASK!?

BECAUSE WE ARE NOT IN FRANCE AND WE ARE NOT GOVERNED BY FRENCH LAW! THANK GOD!.. BECAUSE OTHERWISE WE'D ALL HAVE SPEEDING TICKETS CAUSED BY PEOPLE CLONING OUR NUMBER PLATES, WITH NO RECOURSE!
Shouting aside, I wonder what you have actually got? The tickets I have received are clearly in English and headed "Violation Notice". Maybe they have only recently switched to a digital system for sending them across the channel? My first ticket was from August 2019. The online payment process was also very simple. Perhaps you could share what you received? Whether you pay it or not is a personal decision for you but my general observation is that if you travel in France (or another country) you are bound by their rules and laws and if you contravene them and get caught you are liable for the consequences. Or you can become a fugitive!!

lowdrag

12,892 posts

213 months

Tuesday 28th January 2020
quotequote all
I represented an English guy in court at Alencon, caught at a retained 185mph in his brand new California on the A88 between Falaise and Sées. This was before the change in the law, so since the car was - luckily - a "company car", he got the maximum of €1,500 and a ban on driving in France for three years. A year later he came back to France and was turned around at the port. Not the same car either so he must have been picked up on his passport.

blueg33

35,894 posts

224 months

Tuesday 28th January 2020
quotequote all
Heathlegend said:
I just received what I think is a French speeding ticket... 5 months after returning from France and the document is written entirely in French, I can't understand a word. Does that mean I legally haven't been made aware of the contravention?

The level of arrogance that some of the French have really astounds me. If the French are capable of implementing an automated system that sends out tickets, they are also capable of setting up that system to translate the letter to the delivery country.

Further to the "simples" comments in this forum, I have to tell you that it is "simples" not the case that by explaining French rationale for their own Law it makes it "simples" for them to enforce it in countries outside of France.

The reality of the situation is - the owning a house in France analogy only works if the house in question is a caravan that has been caught speeding, whilst being driven by people that are not the owner!

The rule of thumb (that the French really need to accept) is: FRENCH LAW IS APPLICABLE IN FRANCE. AND FRANCE ONLY. THE END. YOU CAN NOT ENFORCE FRENCH LAW OUTSIDE OF FRANCE. IF YOU ARE FOUND GUILTY OF SOMETHING IN FRANCE AND THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT TRIES TO BRING A CASE FORWARD IN A UK COURT THE UK COURT WILL REJECT IT... WHY YOU ASK!?

BECAUSE WE ARE NOT IN FRANCE AND WE ARE NOT GOVERNED BY FRENCH LAW! THANK GOD!.. BECAUSE OTHERWISE WE'D ALL HAVE SPEEDING TICKETS CAUSED BY PEOPLE CLONING OUR NUMBER PLATES, WITH NO RECOURSE!
Did you speed?

Not sure why you need to shout TBH. You can choose not to pay it and see what if anything happens next time you go to France.

In 5 mins you could translate it by scanning into a pdf, run the OC and paste it into google translate.

The French know what they can and can't enforce in the UK, seems silly to shout about it. How do you know that's what they are saying anyway if you can't translate the letter?

Personally I think that its perfectly reasonable for the French to apply their laws by communicating in French - its their language. Plus they have nothing to lose by posting it to you in the UK. Surely its equally arrogant to go to a country, potentially break their laws and complain that they use their own language?

I just cant see why you appear so angry, have you been having a bad day?

I got a speeding ticket from Spain in October. They were right, I was speeding (unintentionally at that point), but i just worked out what the ticket said, logged into their portal, faffed about for a bit less time than accessing my credit card account online, paid the fine because I want to go back for pleasure and for work.



Patrick magooagain

9,977 posts

170 months

Tuesday 28th January 2020
quotequote all
Heathlegend said:
I just received what I think is a French speeding ticket... 5 months after returning from France and the document is written entirely in French, I can't understand a word. Does that mean I legally haven't been made aware of the contravention?

The level of arrogance that some of the French have really astounds me. If the French are capable of implementing an automated system that sends out tickets, they are also capable of setting up that system to translate the letter to the delivery country.

Further to the "simples" comments in this forum, I have to tell you that it is "simples" not the case


that by explaining French rationale for their own Law it makes it "simples" for them to enforce it in countries outside of France.

The reality of the situation is - the owning a house in France analogy only works if the house in question is a caravan that has been caught speeding, whilst being driven by people that are not the owner!

The rule of thumb (that the French really need to accept) is: FRENCH LAW IS APPLICABLE IN FRANCE. AND FRANCE ONLY. THE END. YOU CAN NOT ENFORCE FRENCH LAW OUTSIDE OF FRANCE. IF YOU ARE FOUND GUILTY OF SOMETHING IN FRANCE AND THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT TRIES TO BRING A CASE FORWARD IN A UK COURT THE UK COURT WILL REJECT IT... WHY YOU ASK!?

BECAUSE WE ARE NOT IN FRANCE AND WE ARE NOT GOVERNED BY FRENCH LAW! THANK GOD!.. BECAUSE OTHERWISE WE'D ALL HAVE SPEEDING TICKETS CAUSED BY PEOPLE CLONING OUR NUMBER PLATES, WITH NO RECOURSE!
Fair play to everyone for replying to this post above.

But really what a comical post.

rdjohn

6,179 posts

195 months

Wednesday 29th January 2020
quotequote all
Patrick magooagain said:
Fair play to everyone for replying to this post above.

But really what a comical post.
Is that you Magooagain?

Similar name, same car, different country - presumably just to be closer to the Nurburgring and Spa? smile

RVVUNM

1,913 posts

209 months

Wednesday 29th January 2020
quotequote all
So what happens after Friday 31st? Do we switch off the agreement to swap info on speeders?

blueg33

35,894 posts

224 months

Wednesday 29th January 2020
quotequote all
RVVUNM said:
So what happens after Friday 31st? Do we switch off the agreement to swap info on speeders?
I don't believe so

In the transition period all cooperation remains in place and all current EU legislation is adopted as UK law