Drivers must give more documents at the pound

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.