Fines for driving in central Paris delayed until September

Drivers who fail to respect traffic restriction regulations in central Paris are not expected to be fined until September 2025, as bringing the new rules into force is ‘complex’. 

A limited traffic zone (Zone à trafic limité, ZTL) covering Paris’ four central arrondissements came into force in November 2024, severely restricting the vehicles allowed to enter the zone. 

Drivers permitted to access the area are those living, working, or with an appointment there, alongside emergency services, public transport, taxis and some delivery services.

An ‘educational period’ where drivers breaking the new rules would be informed of their error but not fined was set to end on May 1, with a €135 penalty being issued after this.

Several French media are reporting this date has now been pushed back however, as preparations for the fines take longer than expected. 

The date fines will begin is to be announced in a joint press conference by the Paris mairie and Parisian police prefecture, with sources saying fines will be issued from September - some 10 months after the rules were first introduced.

Staff at the town hall working for deputy mayor David Belliard said to media outlet Le Figaro that no further information would be made available on the matter until the press conference. 

However, it may be that the delay is due to how those breaking the rules are caught. 

Previously, there were reports that automatic cameras would not be used at the start of the measure, with only drivers seen by a police officer or traffic warden breaking the rules being issued with a fine. 

This may now change with cameras being installed in the area. 

Paris is the fourth city in France to bring in such a measure, although Lyon is planning to implement its own ZTL this year.