Three changes to driving laws in France being introduced this September

This September brings several changes for everyday life for people in France. 

Read more: Taxes, pensions, travelling: September 2024 changes for residents in France

Millions of drivers and motorcyclists across France will also see some rules change in the coming weeks however.

This comes both from the end of certain driving experiments as well as the introduction of new laws and regulations.

Below, we highlight three changes 

End of motorcycle ‘inter-filing’ between traffic

Motorcyclists will no longer be able to legally ride between lanes of traffic (known as inter-filing). 

An experiment in 15 departments, mostly in the south of France and around Paris, has been trialling whether this is safer than motorbike riders waiting in lanes during busy traffic, where they may be subject to being rear-ended. 

Motorcyclists in these areas cannot weave between lanes but have to remain only in one line ( between the two farthest-left lanes) and were limited to driving no faster than 30 km/h quicker than the cars they were passing.

The trial was originally due to end in August 2024 but was extended to September 15. 

However, it will not be extended past this date, and it is unknown whether laws will be changed based on the trial.

A report on the effectiveness of the trial is imminent, which may recommend extending it once more or moving towards making it a legal driving practice.

It is the second such trial, and a report on the initial experiment which ran from 2016 to 2021 was inconclusive.

In other departments, driving between lanes on a motorbike remained technically illegal, although many still do it. 

Police can fine motorcyclists who inter-file €135 and take three points from their licence.

Police admit however the act is very common and usually people turn a blind eye to it despite its illegality. 

As a reminder, contrôle technique (roadworthiness) tests for motorbikes came into force earlier this year. 

Read more: What are France's contrôle technique rules for motorbikes?

New Paris ring road speed limit 

The Paris ring road (péripherique) that circles the city is set to see its speed limit reduced to 50 km/h, down from the current 70 km/h. 

The change has been championed by Parisian mayor Anne Hidalgo, who says it will improve the lives of the 500,000 people who live close to the ring road. 

Opponents however say it is an ‘ideological decision’ which will negatively impact people travelling into or around the city.

The rule is more likely to come into force in October, as it must be voted on at the Paris city hall. 

Read more: Paris mayor confirms plans to reduce speed limit to 50km/h on city ring road

Change in booster seat regulations 

New European rules came into force on September 1, changing the rules on booster/child seats in vehicles. 

The only car seats that can legally be sold are those that comply with the ECE R129 regulations. 

Seats that only comply with the ECR R44 regulations can no longer be sold.

However, older seats that can still be used if already purchased, provided they passed the regulations that were in place at the time of purchase.

The new rules focus more on a child’s height than their weight, which is said to make the chairs safer.

Read more: What are French rules for children’s car seats?