No speeding fines for British drivers

Drivers of UK-registered vehicles who commit traffic offences in France are not yet being sent automatic fine notices, despite Euro­pean regulations that allow for the exchange of vehicle registration information.

France and Portugal recently signed a sharing agreement so motorists from each country are sent fine notices in their own language for any offences committed – but there is, as yet, no sign of a UK equivalent.

EU regulation 2017/554 allows foreign drivers to be pursued for offences including speeding, drink-driving, using a phone at the wheel and not wearing a seatbelt.

Car hire companies will pass on details of British clients when fines agency Antai asks but drivers in their own vehicles are outside this. Parking is also not covered but some towns use debt collection agencies to chase parking offenders.

France’s Sécurité Routière said that no accord had been agreed with the UK to share information, so British drivers in UK-registered vehicles will not face speeding fines or drink-driving penalties – unless stopped by police.