France cracks down on driving without insurance

Drivers without proper insurance now risk a fine of €3,750 per infraction, the suspension of their driving licence, and the confiscation of their vehicle.

If the vehicle is taken away on the spot, authorities have three days to prove that it is not insured.

The new rules work with the new “fichier des véhicules assurés (database of insured vehicles; FVA)”, which was first announced at the beginning of the year, and launched officially on Tuesday, June 4.

The database is created by insurance companies, and maintains a list of vehicles that have proper policies.

Police can now check any vehicles that do not appear, and have also been given powers to recognise false windscreen stickers, or any insurance certificates that are yet to be renewed.

The new scheme has been rolled out in Paris and the surrounding area, and is set to spread across the country in the coming weeks.

Only farming vehicles, military trucks, and diplomatic cars are exempt.