Parking fines up to €17 on Monday

PARKING fines will go up for the first time in 25 years this Monday, from €11 to €17.

The increase, which is expected to bring in an extra €24m-€36m a year, will apply all over France.

The fine had remained unchanged since 1986, and corresponded to 75 French francs.

The new €17 penalty applies to drivers who do not put money in the meter. Higher fines apply for parking in a place where parking is not allowed.

Some MPs had campaigned for the fine to almost double, to €20, to act as a better deterrent.

Others have called for the penalties to go directly to local councils to help improve their finances and pay for road improvements.

At the moment, fines go to the state, which then pays part of it back to local authorities.

Photo: France Dethier/Flickr