Flashed by a French speed camera but did not receive a fine: are you off the hook?
Fines can be issued up to one year after a speeding incident
If you think you should have received a notice, ensure your information is up to date and the authorities have your correct address
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Reader Question: I was flashed by a camera and I think I was over the speed limit, but did not receive a fine notice. Should I be worried?
Answer: A notice for speeding can arrive anytime after an incident, though legally the fine itself can only be levied within one year of you being flashed.
In most cases, however, notices arrive within 10 days (if flashed by a fixed camera) or two weeks to a month if flashed by a mobile radar.
If you think you should have received a notice, ensure your information is up to date and the authorities have your correct address.
The address the fine is issued to is the one found on your vehicle registration documents (certificat d’immatriculation, also known as the carte grise). This is why updating this information is a necessity when you change your address – it can be updated online.
Note you may have also been in the margin of error of the speed camera, which means despite being flashed you may not receive a penalty notice. For example, the camera can register you as driving up to 55km/ph without penalty in a 50km/ph zone.
Despite claims on social media, these rules are not changing in 2025.
It is worth noting also that under the latest rules, small speeding offences only give rise to a fine now, and not a loss of points.
Read more: Driving in France: what are the acceptable ‘error’ margins of speed cameras?
Check for fines online
If you are still concerned, you can check the status of any outstanding fines online.
The status of a fine that has been sent out – such as if payment has been received – can be found online through the ANTAI website.
However, to access this you must have information from the fine itself, such as the numéro d'avis or référence de l'amende forfaitaire majorée, so it is only possible to check this if you have physically received the fine.
Read more: The departments in France with highest number of ‘autonomous’ speed cameras
Speeding fine confirmation
Alternatively, you can ask for information on if there are any outstanding fines in your name – this is the only option to confirm whether you have received a fine or not.
A request to view the information is made via a written letter to your local Trésorerie amendes and you can find this via an online search with the name of your department.
You need to ask for a bordereau de situation des amendes et condamnations pécuniaires. The letter must include your personal details and information about the vehicle.
The bordereau can also show you information about how many points you have on your licence (if you have a French one), and certain parking fines.
