Low Emission Zones in France in 2024 – are you compliant?
There are now twelve cities in France that have Crit’Air rules in place which restrict certain vehicles from entering. If you are living in France or going to be visiting France as a holiday maker or a second home owner then you need to know where they are. Low-emission zones restrict the types of vehicles […]
Changes to speeding fines
From 1st January 2024, points will no longer be deducted from your licence if you are caught speeding at less than 5 kms per hour over the speed limit. Previously this would have resulted in a fine and one point being deducted from your licence. In France, drivers begin with 12 points (new drivers start […]
Pass your driving test from 17 years old
It is now possible to pass your driving test in France from the age of 17 years old. You first need to pass the theory test ; this can be done from the age of 15 for a standard driving licence (Permis B) if you decide to learn via accompanied driving or from 16 years […]
An easier way to buy and sell your car
Simplimmat is an official government application which has been trialled over the last two years in Centre Val de Loire and Normandy and has now been rolled out throughout France.It is designed to simplify administrative procedures for private individuals buying or selling a used vehicle. Both the buyer and the seller complete the sale declaration […]
Grants available for electric cars
The procedures relating to bonus-ecologique (or eco-bonus) changed on 10th October 2023. Eligibility for grants now requires a minimum environmental score. This is part of the energy transition and the national “Green Industry” strategy. Up until now, only the gas emissions caused by the vehicle on the road were taken into account to qualify for […]
Vehicle safety checks are changing.
Anyone who owns a car in France will be familiar with the biennial vehicle safety checks, called the ‘contrôle technique’ (CT). Two new checks are being added to France’s mandatory vehicle roadworthiness tests, bringing the total to 136 – but not all cars will be affected. A ‘contrôle technique’ is the main roadworthiness test for […]
New motorbike safety checks
There is to be a new safety test that will affect all two-wheeled models that are 125cc or above. This ‘contrôle technique’ (CT) will become compulsory in France in early 2024. As of 2022, an estimated 2.5 million people hold motorbike licences in France – and another 1.5 million use scooters and other motorised two-wheelers […]
Making Driving Safer.
Several new measures have been introduced to make driving in France safer. They cover penalties for drug-driving, a new ‘road murder charge’, harsher penalties for speeding, digitalised driving documents and medical tests for those ‘unfit to drive’. Below are the five key changes announced by the government. 1. Automatic licence suspension for drug-driving Those found […]
How much motorists in France will pay in fees in 2023
In France car registration varies depending on where you live, the type of vehicle you have and how polluting it is. The cost of a car registration is rising in 2023. Once you have brought a car in France or imported a car you then have one month from the date of purchase to register […]
Cars will no longer need to show insurance green cards after April 2024
The green piece of paper (carte verte) that is visible on all vehicles that are registered in France is used to prove that a motorist has vehicle insurance but this is to change in April 2024. As French law currently stands, drivers who do not show proof of a vehicles insurance by displaying their ‘carte […]