End of points penalty for ‘small speeders’ in France: mixed reaction

Drivers in France no longer face an automatic licence point deduction if they are caught speeding a ‘small’ amount over the limit.

The measure, which has a knock-on effect on drivers with foreign licences, has proved divisive.

As of January 1, 2024, the points deduction no longer applies to speeding offences of up to 5km/h above the limit.

The offences are though still subject to a fine, which is between €45 and €135, depending on the road in question.

Additional benefit to holders of foreign licences

French licences usually start with 12 points and points are deducted for various driving offences.

All speeding offences (after deduction of a small technical error margin) previously resulted in a systematic points deduction in addition to a fine; of one point for minor speeding rising to six for the most serious cases.

For example, for going 95km/h in an 80km/h zone, you would lose one point and be fined up to €135.

Residents of France with foreign driving licences who commit driving offences involving the loss of points are also expected to swap their foreign licence for a French one, in order for the authorities to register the deduction.

Drivers with EU licences or UK licences which were first issued before 2021 can otherwise usually drive until the licence expires; other holders of foreign-issued licences have a year to swap them after they move to France.

The new rules concerning small speeding offences mean foreign drivers will no longer have to exchange their licence early in such cases as a swap is only required where points deductions apply.

Read more: Explainer: Speed cameras, fines and driving licence points in France

‘Sending the wrong message’

Reaction to the change has been mixed.

“What’s certain is that this isn’t a road safety measure,” Anne Lavaud of road safety group Association Prévention Routière, told Le Figaro. “We are sending the wrong message to drivers who go too fast.

“There is no such thing as a small speeding infraction. 46% of fatal accidents are caused by people speeding at less than 10km/h above the limit.”

Critics of the change also point out that speed cameras and mobile radar cameras were never accurate for speeds of 5km/h above the limit.

Indeed, at speeds below 100km/h, speed cameras have a margin of error above 5km/h, while radar cars’ margin of error is 10km/h - a fact that many drivers have used to appeal their penalties.

Read more: No penalty for driver caught at 275 km/h on French motorway

Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin says the measure is part of a wider policy of “treating good drivers well and bad drivers harshly”, which include increased points deduction penalties for the use of alcohol and drugs (8 points, in addition to fines).

People caught speeding at up to 50km/h above the limit could also face an automatic fine of €3,750 and two months’ prison under Mr Darmanin’s plans. However, no date has been set for the introduction of this.

For drivers’ rights lawyer Rémy Josseaume, good drivers have been penalised for too long.

“This measure had been needed for several years,” he told Le Figaro.

“Good drivers were losing points due to minor lapses in concentration… all the while an increasing number of people drive without a licence, without insurance or commit hit and run offences.”

Nonetheless, he suggests that the sweeping removal of the points deduction for speeding offences below 5km/h is excessive. Mr Josseaume says that urban areas should have been exempt from the measure.

“Driving even a little over the limit in urban areas, where all kinds of vehicles share the road, can have serious consequences,” he said.

Read more:

Drivers in France can check licence points on new official website

Man caught speeding at 60km/h on electric scooter in Bordeaux

SEE: annual fine levels captured by road radars in France