Speeding in France
Discussion
madant69 said:
Oh my god...did she pay at the roadside or insist on paying at the station?
Roadside fines in France are a notorious sideline for the gendarmerie
They've tightened right up on that now days, if you read the paper work they give you it explains in several languages that you aren't actually paying a fine, simply a deposit against the likely fine (as defined in a guide they carry) that will be imposed by a french court. It is possible that this fine could be greater or lesser (although I've never heard of anyone getting sent money back) the receipts are all serial numbered, you get a copy and its all very well regulated, so no back handers......I imagine Le Plod also have to account for their receipt books and cash pretty tightly. Oh and "road side" fines are only imposed to non french nationals or residents who are likely to be unable to attend a french court.
If I'm honest I think its actually a pretty good idea and I would happily see the same system used here against all the foreign nationals that abuse our traffic laws, as it stands they are either let off or arrested and put infront of the first avaliable magistrates court.
And no she doesn't have to declare it in this country as they only ask about "convictions" and as far as she knows she hasn't been convicted of anything.
mel said:Well from the thread "on the spot fines" about this happening in the UK it sounds like they could soon get into trouble with the EU about this then. Or if this is okay it's what we'll get over here
Oh and "road side" fines are only imposed to non french nationals or residents who are likely to be unable to attend a french court.
mel said:
They've tightened right up on that now days, if you read the paper work they give you it explains in several languages that you aren't actually paying a fine, simply a deposit against the likely fine (as defined in a guide they carry) that will be imposed by a french court. It is possible that this fine could be greater or lesser (although I've never heard of anyone getting sent money back) the receipts are all serial numbered, you get a copy and its all very well regulated, so no back handers......I imagine Le Plod also have to account for their receipt books and cash pretty tightly. Oh and "road side" fines are only imposed to non french nationals or residents who are likely to be unable to attend a french court.
That sounds about right. This happened to me about 3 years ago - paid the fine (2,000fr) at the roadside, got a receipt, then 2 or 3 months later got a demand from the French courts asking for some more (150fr). All the paperwork seemed in order - though I would have preferred to have made a contribution to the Gendarmes 'favourite charity' of say a few hundred Francs instead and forget the whole incident, sadly this option was not offered!
(where's a bent copper when you need one eh? 
) I don't know how long they have to send any 'further demands' or what they can do if you 'file' it in the bin (not that I'm suggesting you should)
You do not have to disclose this to your insurance and it is of no relevance to them anyway.
(BTW my offence was 201kph on the Autoroute)
Is there any truth in the rumour that over 25kmh over the limit you get your vehicle/license confiscated?
I looked into it a few months ago but couldn't find any evidence of it happening; but no debunking either.
I assumed it was just like in the UK where speeding carries a £1000 fine but it's never that much in reality.
I looked into it a few months ago but couldn't find any evidence of it happening; but no debunking either.
I assumed it was just like in the UK where speeding carries a £1000 fine but it's never that much in reality.
kevinday said:
Licence confiscated? AFAIK your licence (right to drive in the UK and oversees where applicable) can only be removed by the UK legal system, not a foreign one.
Don't you believe it!! They'll also take your passport if they want to.... all this "not my papers they belong to the Government" crap is just laughed at by all non-GB police... They WILL take it and use it against you if they want... unopposed by bLiar and his cronies naturally as they want the big socialist Empire of the U.S.E.......
toad_oftoadhall said:
Can I have a definative answer to this? I reckon it's all an urban myth!
Toad, no it is NOT an urban myth, I have had to surrender my GB license to a german policeman (otherwise get thrown in nick), another PHer (can't remember his tag) was also in the same position...
and I know of various people who've had their licenses taken by "les gendarmes"....... now that's a bunch of racist (anti-Brit) guys.....
JMGS4 said:
Can I have a definative answer to this? I reckon it's all an urban myth!
Toad, no it is NOT an urban myth, I have had to surrender my GB license to a german policeman (otherwise get thrown in nick
And once the license is taken away you can't drive in that country any more?
Is it valid in the UK still?
toad_oftoadhall said:
toad_oftoadhall said:
Can I have a definative answer to this? I reckon it's all an urban myth!
Toad, no it is NOT an urban myth, I have had to surrender my GB license to a german policeman (otherwise get thrown in nick
And once the license is taken away you can't drive in that country any more?
Is it valid in the UK still?
It is still valid in the UK, but how do you produce it when required. I assume the German and French plod have to return it before you leave the country.
JMGS4 said:
Toad, their "trick" is as follows; you must be in posession (i.e. have it actually with you) of your license to drive in France or Germany. Thus they are effectively giving you a driving ban until such time as you appear at their courts.....
I see.
Under what circumstances does the license get taken as opposed to merely on the spot fineage?
So take two licenses with you!
Any truth in the confiscation of cars?
toad_oftoadhall said:
Under what circumstances does the license get taken as opposed to merely on the spot fineage?
Certainly in Germany they'll ´take your license if the feel that you're going to "do a runner", which is a bit illogical as one who's going to do one doesn't give a monkeys anyway. Drink, drugs, vehicle not safe etc.....
toad_oftoadhall said:
Any truth in the confiscation of cars?
Yes in really bad cases, whereby it may just be an impounding as a security for you to return to court.
As an example Johnny Cecotto got done in Germany (in the late 80s early 90s) for being an absolute w*nker. Very heavy traffic south along the A5 towards Basel after Hockenheim raceday, he'd done over 20 YES 20 overtakes using the safety lane, barging, flashing, cutting-up, generally ver dangerous, etc, just being a NovaBoy.
The police had 15 reports of him and the appropriate charges brought by endangered peeps. He arrived at the Basel customs post and got pulled out. He had to leave 15000DM AND his car to be allowed back into Switzerland. Apparently the courts were NOT lenient!!!
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