Speeding: France is very strict on speed and the fines are hefty. When driving up to 20 km/h too fast in built-up areas you will be fined € 135, outside built-up areas this fine is € 68; when driving between 20-50km/h too fast the fine amounts to € 135 and over 50km/h too fast results in a fine of at least €1500 and possible driving disqualification.
Apps that detect cameras: Radar detectors are prohibited, fine max. € 1500.
Illegal parking: Parking fines (from € 35) for parking in places where it is not allowed, such as on bicycle spaces or the sidewalk.
Mobile phone or headset while driving: Calling with the phone in hand, or using earphones/headphones, results in a fine of at least €135. Even when standing still along the road, you are not allowed to make a phone call unless you are in an official parking lot.
Looking at a screen: If you look at a screen in your car other than your GPS, you can be fined € 1500 - € 3000. Looking up something on the phone or watching a movie when you are in a traffic jam is also absolutely prohibited.
Driving through a red light: Driving through a red light can cost you €135.
Eating behind the wheel: Getting a sandwich at a gas station and then eating this while driving, is strictly prohibited. In France, you can be fined €75 for eating behind the wheel.
No seatbelt or child seat: Driving without a seat belt or without an approved child seat also results in a fine starting at €135.
Safety vest or warning triangle: Make sure you always have a safety vest and warning triangle in the car, otherwise you risk a fine of at least €135. You must be able to put on the vest immediately and place a warning triangle behind your car, in the event of a car breakdown. It is therefore forbidden to keep these items in your trunk.
Air quality certificate: In more and more French cities and within environmental zones, an air quality certificate of France is mandatory. The colour of this vignette shows in which environmental zone you are allowed to drive. Driving without this sticker will cost you €68.
Alcohol or drugs: Driving with a blood alcohol level that is too high (above 0.5 ‰, or 0.2 ‰ for novice drivers) will result in a fine of at least €135 and possible driving disqualification.
Pets: A pet in the car is considered 'cargo' in France. A pet must not interfere with the driver or endanger the driver's vision. In addition, the driver is obliged to ensure the animal's well-being during transport. Therefore, you can be fined if you transport a pet loose. If you are going on holiday with your dog, secure your pet safely in the car, for example with a special harness on the seat belt or in the luggage compartment behind a net or rack.
Reading a map or putting on lipstick: You can be fined €75 if you are driving whilst looking at a map, if you search for something in the glove compartment, if you listen to loud music or if you apply make-up, even when the car is stationary.
Unsafe shoes: Driving with flip-flops, heavy mountain boots or stiletto heels is considered unsafe. You can be fined.
Smoking in the car: In France, smoking in the car is prohibited if there are children in the vehicle. If you do it anyway, you will be fined € 135.
Illegal parking: Pay close attention to the signs if you want to park somewhere. Never double park or in spaces reserved for the disabled or loading/unloading; This is strictly policed. If you park incorrectly or in a prohibited place, it will cost you at least € 35.
Giving way: Failure to give way can result in a fine of at least € 135.
Carpool lane: In the vicinity of some large cities, carpool lanes are "voie reservée au covoiturage". You may drive on it if you are in the car with two or more people. These lanes are indicated by a traffic sign with a standing white diamond figure on a dark background. If you drive on this lane when you are the only person in the car, you can get a fine of € 135.
Dangerous driving: When driving dangerously or overtaking someone over a solid line, you risk a fine starting at €135.
Bike carrier: The bikes should not protrude more than 20 cm on either side. If the bike rack covers all or part of your vehicle's rear lights and reflectors, the rack must be equipped with a light bar.
Bicycle space in front of traffic lights: when driving in the bicycle lane (sas-vélo) in large cities, you may be fined € 35.
Winter tyres and snow chains: From the 1st of November to the 31st of March, winter tyres or snow chains (on all four wheels) are mandatory in the mountain areas in France. A map with the exact zones where this applies can be found on securite-routiere.gouv.fr (in French).
Points system: The French government has a points system. For each violation, points can be deducted from your balance. A virtual points system also applies to foreigners. If you have lost all your points, it is forbidden to drive in France. You can earn points again when you drive for a period of time without committing a violation.
Payment: Fines can be paid directly on the spot at the Gendarmerie Nationale (up to €750), however they are usually sent to your home address by post. Make sure you pay on time. If you pay within 15 days, a reduced rate often applies (for example, €45 instead of €68 or €90 instead of €135). If you wait longer than 45 days, the fine can triple. If you do not pay, the fine may increase further and you may have problems when visiting France at a later time, an example of such problem is that your car may be confiscated when having repeated violations.
