Drivers must give more documents at the pound

Law aims to cut down on number of unlicensed cars on roads

Drivers who park badly and have their vehicle towed to the fourrière (pound) will now have to present both a valid driving licence and an insurance certificate to recuperate the vehicle.

The new obligation from the start of December is a bid to cut down on the number of uninsured vehicles on the roads – estimated at between 370,000 and 750,000 – blamed for 28,000 accidents a year.

Driving without insurance is liable to a €3,750 fine and possible driving ban with community service orders. Anyone who cannot present insurance papers to police when asked faces a €35 fine but this rises to €135 if not presented at a police station within five days.