9 updates for drivers in France: Toll rises, Paris car-sharing lanes and fines

Paris car-sharing lane 

A car-sharing lane will be implemented on Paris’ périphérique ring road from March 3, covering the vast northern section between the portes de Sèvres (15th arrondissement) and Bercy (12th arrondissement). 

It will come into effect Monday to Friday between 07:00 to 10.30 and 16:00 to 20:00, but not during public holidays. 

Read more: Car-sharing: How do new road lanes work in France and how are drivers checked?

Motorway péage increases 

Since February 1, it costs more to use motorways, with an average increase of 0.92% nationally. 

The price rises depend on the management company. 

The increases also apply to barrier-free (flux libre) motorways, including the A13/A14. 

Vehicle registration increases 

The cost of registering a vehicle (obtaining a carte grise) is rising in some regions. 

Normandy will see the highest increase per prix du cheval fiscal (price by horsepower), with registration rising from €46 to €60. 

Tips for electric car drivers on where to charge in France for least cost

Electricity tariff decrease 

Good news for electric vehicle drivers: since February 1, regulated electricity prices have fallen by an average of 15%. 

This means that most drivers who charge their vehicles at home will see a significant drop in the cost of charging. 

Emmanuelle Wargon, president of the Commission de régulation de l’énergie (CRE), said this is the first time there has been such a drop in 10 years. 

Swiss ‘motorway sticker’ 

French residents who drive their vehicle in Switzerland need to update their ‘motorway sticker’ to drive on the country’s major roads. 

The vignette autoroutière must be bought annually. 

All drivers need the new orange version of the vignette, including cross-border workers who live in France but commute to Switzerland and tourists who drive on the roads shown on this map. 

The 2025 version of the sticker has been required since February 1. 

Exemption from Spanish safety rule 

Drivers of French-registered vehicles are to be exempt from incoming road safety changes on Spanish roads. 

From 2026, Spanish vehicles must be equipped with a flashing beacon that can be placed on a car roof in case of a breakdown. 

However, the Spanish directorate-general for traffic said: “Vehicles registered in other countries and travelling ... through Spain will comply with the regulations if they use triangles.”

Read more: Drivers from France may soon be subject to new alcohol limit when visiting Spain

Tougher road penalties in south

Drivers who commit road offences in south-east France might now have their licence suspended for longer as a deterrent against irresponsible driving. 

The prefect of Alpes-Maritimes said penalties had been tightened in the department as the number of accidents is still too high. 

Since February, the type of offence leading to a licence suspension has changed, as has the duration of the licence suspension. 

For example, those found to be drink-driving will now receive a suspension of eight months instead of six. 

ZFE penalty reprieve 

Montpellier will not issue fines to drivers who breach its low-emission zone (zone à faibles émissions, ZFE) rules until 2027. 

The city and its surrounding towns are considered a ‘dormant’ ZFE, meaning it will not strictly impose the state laws on ZFEs immediately. 

Read more:  How your Crit’Air car sticker rating correlates with insurance costs

Traffic restrictions in Lyon 

Authorities in Lyon are introducing a limit on vehicles driving through the city’s most central areas, becoming the fifth city in France to do so. 

The zone à trafic limité (ZTL) will come into force in the Presqu’île de Lyon area from June 1, and will be implemented 24/7. 

Almost all vehicles will be banned from entering the zone, except for those of residents, workers, and a few others. 

Around 15 streets will become fully pedestrianised.