Caught speeding in France?
Discussion
Anyone else been caught speeding in the nation of World Cup departees.....
I was stoppedlast night near Bernay returning from Le Mans 24H; 152kmh in a 90kmh (say 95 in a 56 in our money). Licence retained by those lovely Gendarmes (immediate ban on driving in France pending court hearing) and an on-the-spot fine of €750. Ouch.
Car 'impounded' unless I could find another driver; managed to discover two very generous and understanding gents (Michael from Sheffield and Andy from Ampthill - thanks very, very much for helping me get the car to Calais!!).
All very dodgy - car that I was following when overtaking pulled in to traffic - no conrete proof it was me they caught.
Anyone know if there is anything that can be done other than sit in some stuffy little provincial court listening to Monsieur slap my wrists? Can it be transferred to the UK in any way?
All comments (and no doubt abuse!) gratefully received.
Interestingly, a chap I was talking to on the Shuttle later - fined €135 for 141kmh in a 90kmh. Hmmm..... Am already in contact with the British Consulate in Paris....
I was stoppedlast night near Bernay returning from Le Mans 24H; 152kmh in a 90kmh (say 95 in a 56 in our money). Licence retained by those lovely Gendarmes (immediate ban on driving in France pending court hearing) and an on-the-spot fine of €750. Ouch.
Car 'impounded' unless I could find another driver; managed to discover two very generous and understanding gents (Michael from Sheffield and Andy from Ampthill - thanks very, very much for helping me get the car to Calais!!).
All very dodgy - car that I was following when overtaking pulled in to traffic - no conrete proof it was me they caught.
Anyone know if there is anything that can be done other than sit in some stuffy little provincial court listening to Monsieur slap my wrists? Can it be transferred to the UK in any way?
All comments (and no doubt abuse!) gratefully received.
Interestingly, a chap I was talking to on the Shuttle later - fined €135 for 141kmh in a 90kmh. Hmmm..... Am already in contact with the British Consulate in Paris....
Don't know what you can do other than wait to be contacted by them. I don't think they can give you points or ban you though. Probably just another fat fine to pay for more police next year.
However, I personally would be tempted to call the DLVA and get a replacement driving license because you lost yours last weekend when you went camping ... you'll probably get it before the Frenchies contact them (if they do) about your case. That way at least you've got a license to rent cars/ID etc. I don't suppose the Gendarmes are going to post it back to you?!
T/.
However, I personally would be tempted to call the DLVA and get a replacement driving license because you lost yours last weekend when you went camping ... you'll probably get it before the Frenchies contact them (if they do) about your case. That way at least you've got a license to rent cars/ID etc. I don't suppose the Gendarmes are going to post it back to you?!
T/.
As for the fine - remember something about the French were recently fined and prevented from imposing punitive fines on foreign nationals. Something about an Italian was fined some figure for speeding and an additional "non-french" fine also. Being a member of the EU they cant do that.... Italian took the French government to court and won!!! Ha one in the eye for them then.
So it means that you MUST expect to receive a fine that is exactly the same as a french person would expect to receive. If it is anything more then complain and get your money back.
Cheers,
Paul
So it means that you MUST expect to receive a fine that is exactly the same as a french person would expect to receive. If it is anything more then complain and get your money back.
Cheers,
Paul
Sounds harsh, I got caught in France last year 201kph on Autoroute (130 limit) got on-the-spot fine for Fr2000 (about £200) I had to go to the bank with the "Cochon" to change some money but was then left to drive away, the fine hurt but overall it wasn't too harsh.
I received a letter from French court a couple of months later asking for a further Fr150 for court costs.
For which I of course sent them a cheque !
(yeah my ar*e!)
I received a letter from French court a couple of months later asking for a further Fr150 for court costs.
For which I of course sent them a cheque !
(yeah my ar*e!)That's an interesting point; technically, in the eyes of the law, I guess that they can, but I'd be interested to know the DVLA's point of view. However, at the moment I'm not over keen to advise the DVLA that I've just been nicked for exceeding the limit!!
Have been on to the British Embassy in Paris who are looking into it for me. Ho hum....Time will tell. More costs heading my way for court etc. I wonder!!!
Have been on to the British Embassy in Paris who are looking into it for me. Ho hum....Time will tell. More costs heading my way for court etc. I wonder!!!
The driving license is the property of the issuing authority, therefore only a french license can be confiscated by the french and so on... If I really a worried I show the cops my "not from this country" license... I have german, swiss, and GB licenses also various caribean visitors licenses which can be useful......
And oh by the way, police are NOT allowed to ask for your passport. Police are NOT a border control and these are the ONLY people allowed to require to see them. Point this out to the police when they ask, and then "allow them to see it to assist them in their no doubt difficult job" but keeping a firm hold on it all the time!!! Works well........ in D, F, CH, A, DK...
Also the "I come from a democracy which does not have identity cards" does sometimes work if they ask for an ID instead of a Passport (german: Ausweis not Pass french: piéce D'identitè not Passeport) but don't mention your thoughts that "IDs are only issued in police states" they don't necessarily appreciate that........
>> Edited by JMGS4 on Wednesday 19th June 11:36
And oh by the way, police are NOT allowed to ask for your passport. Police are NOT a border control and these are the ONLY people allowed to require to see them. Point this out to the police when they ask, and then "allow them to see it to assist them in their no doubt difficult job" but keeping a firm hold on it all the time!!! Works well........ in D, F, CH, A, DK...
Also the "I come from a democracy which does not have identity cards" does sometimes work if they ask for an ID instead of a Passport (german: Ausweis not Pass french: piéce D'identitè not Passeport) but don't mention your thoughts that "IDs are only issued in police states" they don't necessarily appreciate that........
>> Edited by JMGS4 on Wednesday 19th June 11:36
Hi
Been there done that !
I actually got nicked for having a radar detector. Of course we know they're legal here, but in France (I really didn't know) there not. Doing about 110mph I see this little citroen gendarme van in the slow lane, so I slow down, go past him. They after a few miles start speeding up again. After a few minutes I see the lights behind - oh good !
So I pull over. Parlez Francias - awfully sorry old fellow but I don't !
Anyway a discussion ensues about the radar detector. OK sorry I didn't realise, I'll put it in the boot. No No - they confisicate it and tell me to follow them.
I again explain that I didn't realize that it was illegal. plod reaches for his gun (no kidding) and says guns aren't legal in England are they - fair point.
I'm told it's a 5000 franc fine ! I have 3500 francs on me which they take ! and they write me a receipt !! I got the same court letter, but refused to sign for it.
Lot's of experience of the french police. If they see you're a foreigner, you're F**ked. Yes they can impound you're car if you can't pay, but they can't take your licence away. Best to have a covert radar detector (under the front bumper) and a good supply of cash. And remember the have guns !!
>> Edited by woof on Wednesday 19th June 11:38
Been there done that !
I actually got nicked for having a radar detector. Of course we know they're legal here, but in France (I really didn't know) there not. Doing about 110mph I see this little citroen gendarme van in the slow lane, so I slow down, go past him. They after a few miles start speeding up again. After a few minutes I see the lights behind - oh good !
So I pull over. Parlez Francias - awfully sorry old fellow but I don't !
Anyway a discussion ensues about the radar detector. OK sorry I didn't realise, I'll put it in the boot. No No - they confisicate it and tell me to follow them.
I again explain that I didn't realize that it was illegal. plod reaches for his gun (no kidding) and says guns aren't legal in England are they - fair point.
I'm told it's a 5000 franc fine ! I have 3500 francs on me which they take ! and they write me a receipt !! I got the same court letter, but refused to sign for it.
Lot's of experience of the french police. If they see you're a foreigner, you're F**ked. Yes they can impound you're car if you can't pay, but they can't take your licence away. Best to have a covert radar detector (under the front bumper) and a good supply of cash. And remember the have guns !!
>> Edited by woof on Wednesday 19th June 11:38
... you let a Citroen Van catch up with you? 
Mind you, they do drive the slowest of cars extremely quickly over there - I got overtaken by a tired looking Xantia once when I thought I was 'making good progress' in our TT heading through Provence. Mind you, Renault 5's on the highly cambered roundabouts always make me laugh.
Mind you, they do drive the slowest of cars extremely quickly over there - I got overtaken by a tired looking Xantia once when I thought I was 'making good progress' in our TT heading through Provence. Mind you, Renault 5's on the highly cambered roundabouts always make me laugh.
On a similar note, I drove in France some years ago, when I worked there, and got pulled by the gendarmerie in Lille. and I had NOTHING but my passport and an out of date HGV provisional (as they were issued then) this together with a letter about joining the AA holiday club, which I said was my insurance nationale..proved more than a match for the gormless pair of garlic crunchers. they warned me about a bald tyre and I got away.Result
Why not take a crap car worth say £200 tops and then claim on your Europe Assistance policy after it develops a serious "fault". They rent you a nice car which can't be confiscated. Carry an international licence not the Gb one if caught for speeding let them lock you up for 12 hours when you say you don't have the cash to pay any fine. They can't deduct from a credit card without your signiture and hate having to give you breakfast so any time in jail will generally be a couple of hours tops, just show you don't care and have a kip in the cell.
Hi all,
I work with a French guy so asked he's opinion. Apparently if your French and driving 50km/h over the limit it's normal procedure for the police to retain your driving licence. Next step would be to appear in court, be fined and hopefully get your licence back.
Can only presume the €750 fine was an on the spot court judgement.
I work with a French guy so asked he's opinion. Apparently if your French and driving 50km/h over the limit it's normal procedure for the police to retain your driving licence. Next step would be to appear in court, be fined and hopefully get your licence back.
Can only presume the €750 fine was an on the spot court judgement.
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