-
France to change the rules to legitimise illegal speed bumps
Up to 400,000 speed bumps are to be legalised, angering road safety associations
-
Explained: Motorway rules and tolls in France
The changes in France's autoroute system, from new routes to toll innovations and speed limit debates
-
New flight tax rises would put small French airports ‘at risk’
Carcassonne, Poitiers, and Bergerac said to be particularly vulnerable due to reliance on low-cost airlines
Is it possible to be fined for driving too slowly in France?
Driving too slowly could disrupt traffic on roads and cause an accident, especially on motorways. There are also rules for ‘middle-lane drivers’

Reader question: Are there any penalties in France for driving too slowly? R.G.
Yes, it is possible to be fined for going too slowly.
The Code de la Route, article R413- 19 states that you should not “disturb the normal movement of vehicles by driving abnormally slowly for no good reason”.
In particular, it is illegal to go less than 80km/h in the fast lane of a motorway, under normal conditions.
It is also illegal to drive in the middle lane if there is no vehicle blocking the right-hand (slower) lane.
Read more: Driver in south of France fined for driving too slowly on motorway

However, the penalty if the police catch you going too slowly or driving in the middle lane is not steep – a €35 fine, reduced to €22 for quick payment. You will also not lose any driving licence points from a French licence.
For a driver in the right-hand lane of a motorway with a vehicle in the middle lane preventing him from overtaking, it is essential to cross the two left-hand lanes to overtake.
Overtaking from the right is a Class 4 offence which means a fine of €135, reduced to €90 if paid within 15 days, and a loss of 3 points on the driving licence.
Also, you must not forget to turn on your indicator, otherwise three extra points will be deducted, along with a fine of €35, reduced to €22 for quick payment.
Related articles
Report finds 770,000 people driving in France without valid licence
All new cars in France to have automated speed monitors from July 2022