Car

See which offences can result in a car being impounded in France

There is also a time limit and set procedure to follow to recover a car

MAP: How likely are you to pass your French driving test by department?

Your location could make more of a difference than you think

Driver discovers she is subscribed to insurance as she pays French parking fee

She said she had never asked for or wanted the insurance and had to right to be refunded

practical

Car registration fees in France: Normandy rise highlights national variations

By January 1, 2025 the cost for a carte grise in Normandy will have risen by 72% in two years

Mass car recalls in France: which brands and models are impacted and why?

Peugeot, Opel, Fiat among brands that have been impacted

Sales of small, no-licence, cars are booming in rural France

The cars are especially popular among students and elderly people

Cyclist death: How did no-licence French driver hire a Lamborghini?

The 52-year-old cyclist was killed instantly when the supercar hit him at over 70 km/h

Driver follows GPS and ends up stuck between tombs in French cemetery

Woman says she did not realise her ‘grave' error, as she drove down a path between the tombs late at night that became more and more narrow

Reopening of France’s A13 motorway delayed as new cracks discovered

Traffic built up on neighbouring roads - but the empty lanes were not completely deserted…

Can I change the number plate on my French car?

Number plates contain information including a department code and regional logo

Number plate fraud: thousands of drivers a year fall victim in France

Fraudsters use fake plates to rack up speeding and parking fines which are then sent to car’s real owner

Where in France is it cheapest to repair a car?

10 departments come in well under the national average

SEE: the 10 most stolen cars in France in 2023

Thefts increased by 15% last year with SUVs particularly targeted

€100-a-month electric car scheme closed for 2024 due to demand

The scheme received more than double the number of orders it was expecting

New app lets you buy or sell a car in France with no paperwork

The official app offers a secure way to transfer ownership of a vehicle - we look at the process step-by-step

What documents do non-French people need to purchase a car in France?

It is easy enough to purchase a car, however If you want to register it with French plates it is important to have a valid French address

Lone drivers now face fines for using carshare lane on French motorway

Police are issuing fines of up to €135 for people who break the rules

Fraud, doctors, taxes: round up of practical articles from France

We recap recent updates you may have missed

Renault to launch electric car costing less than €20,000

The overall price could be even less after government grants, and will be part of the manufacturer’s aim to ‘democratise’ electric cars by 2031

Renault and Dacia recall five car models in France over fire risk

Issues with fuel tank has caused models to face recall

The official French app that makes buying or selling a used car easier

New smartphone app makes filing the obligatory ‘paperwork’ more secure. It also blocks the sale of stolen cars

What is a constat amiable and do I legally need one in my French car?

It is highly recommended to carry this document in case of an accident

Can I obtain UK car breakdown cover while living in France?

Some insurance companies offer overseas breakdown cover as standard

Is it cheaper to have a car impounded in France than park at airport?

We take a look at the figures after a French press article on the subject in Perpignan

Test yourself with 5 questions from the new French theory driving test

We have translated them - how many do you get right?

Are there rules for putting a ‘for sale’ sign on car on French street?

In theory you could receive a fine depending on where the car is parked - we explain

France launches new-style driving theory test losing ‘trick’ questions

Driving laws stay the same but the test has a new approach aimed also at making it more accessible to non-native French speakers

Lille launches scheme to pay drivers to leave car at home

Locals can make up to €80 per month if they car-share, work from home or take public transport instead of their own car

Warning over scams around obligatory car checks in France

Scammers are trying to convince people that the law says they must change their windscreen

How do you sell a second-hand car in France?

Selling a used car in France involves considerable paperwork, including ensuring the registration and roadworthiness tests are up to date

France licence plate theft: How to avoid it, tips if you are a victim

Each year there are around 20,000 cases of number plate fraud in France

French motorway breakdown fees have gone up, here is what you pay now

The biggest increases are for weekend and nighttime callouts

Can I have my car serviced by another dealer in France?

A reader wants to know if he can have his car serviced by any dealer in France without endangering the manufacturer’s warranty

Does France have unmarked radar cars to catch people speeding?

French officials distinguish between two kinds of speed detection system carried by vehicles

Racing car built from jet tank in France

Architect, Thibault Lagardère, built the car during Covid lockdowns

Delay rollout of more low-emission zones in French cities says senator

There are meant to be 43 zones across France by 2025. But some think the deadline is too tight

US star to fire starting gun on 100th Le Mans 24-hour race

LeBron James will join list of celebrity ‘starters’ who signal the beginning of famous endurance event

100 years of Le Mans: what makes this French car race so special?

We look back at a century of speed, endurance, and crashes. Plus how to party in Le Mans if you don’t have a race ticket

Diesel drivers in France can face €1,000 bills if AdBlue system fails

A consumer group has flagged up problems with a system intended to clean up exhaust fumes

French first as city brings in parking charges linked to car’s weight

Lyon says the policy will allow for fairer parking charges. But critics say the move is discriminatory

What should you do if your vehicle breaks down on a French motorway?

There are specific rules to be aware of such as not contacting your insurance provider for breakdown assistance

French police pose as buyers to recover €140,000 stolen Bugatti

The children’s vehicle was taken during a burglary of a property in Castres, southern France

France’s vehicle safety checks are changing. Here is how

Two new checks are being added to France’s mandatory vehicle roadworthiness tests, bringing the total to 136 - but not all cars will be affected

How does Emmanuel Macron want to ‘reindustrialise’ France?

His plan to support French manufacturing includes reforming the bonus for buying environmentally friendly cars

Delay in phasing out green insurance tickets on cars in France

The vignettes are set to be replaced by an online system

Do you get a notification when car’s contrôle technique test is due?

Failing to get a test can lead to a fine and in some cases temporary confiscation of the vehicle’s registration document

Vehicle thefts rise significantly across France

The worst-affected regions are Ile-de-France, Provence-Alpes-Côte-d’Azur and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

Is it worth importing an older car for use at a second home in France?

We look at the pros and cons of bringing a vehicle to France for holiday usage from outside the EU

What defines a classic car in France and what does it change?

There are pros and cons to registering your vehicle with a carte grise de collection

Top sales for Alpine sports car in France

The Renault owned Alpine A110 model outsold German Porsche

Second-hand cars cost 30% more in France than in 2020

Car valuation magazine l’Argus has only adjusted its depreciation rate twice before, for World War Two and the Covid lockdown

Can I register a new car in France with a foreign licence?

One reader has been given conflicting information over whether they can use their US licence - or need a French one - to register a vehicle

More drivers in France opt to lease a car than buy a new one

For the first time ever, lease hire has overtaken sales

Explainer: The rules of France’s contrôle technique car checks

Which cars? How often? What’s checked? What happens if you fail? We explain the deadlines, penalties and regulations

Car-sharers in France can get €100 bonus even if not new app users

The government has confirmed that existing users of apps such as BlaBlaCar can qualify under certain eligibility conditions

Recap: 2023 French state aid for switching to a less polluting car

A new income threshold has come into force. We look at the eligibility criteria and conditions

French door-to-door car hire firm looks to all-electric future

Carlili delivers vehicles to customers’ doorsteps and has capitalised on difficulties owning and parking a vehicle in cities

Drivers to be given up to €100 to start car sharing in France

The aid will be given in a bid to treble the number of car-sharing journeys

French-built Land Rover stand-in finally rolls off the production line

The cars should be with customers in December but high taxes may put many French drivers off buying one

French garage did not fix my car’s fault: can I get a refund?

When a mechanic takes your car in for repairs in France, they are expected to fully fix the problem

Crit’Air sticker scams continue in France, online and via SMS

Drivers are warned to be alert to scams about new Crit’Air (air pollution certificate) stickers for vehicles. Here is how to avoid being scammed

Second-hand cars selling for same price as new in France

A shortage of new car parts has pushed up demand for second-hand models that are a couple of years old, with prices rising by 20% since early 2021

France’s most popular car is back – but not as you know it

Fifty years after Renault launched its ubiquitous R5, a top designer has given it a luxurious marble and diamanté makeover

Semi-autonomous cars now permitted on some French roads

Cars with the function enable the driver to take their hands off the steering wheel on slow-moving motorways, for example, but require them to remain aware

Why discontinued Citroën C15D vans are back in fashion in France

The decision to stop making them led to numerous conspiracy theories but their rarity today is giving them a new lease of life as a collector’s item

Price of car repairs and tyres rising sharply in France

A combination of parts shortages and increasing raw materials and workforce costs are making vehicle maintenance more and more expensive

How long can tourists drive UK-registered cars in France for?

We look into driving holidays to France and whether there is a limit to how long you can keep your car here for

Can I park my car in front of my own garage in France?

We look into parking laws and whether you can block access to your own property

Why drivers risk a fine in our French city if they leave engine idling

In Nancy, it is illegal to leave your engine running while not driving. We asked two local officials the reasons behind the decision

Can I buy a car in France to use when I visit my second home?

We explain the logistics of getting a vehicle in France as a non resident, including insurance, vehicle checks and paperwork

Why was I fined for driving UK-registered car as a French resident?

Reader with a carte de séjour tells how they were recently fined by French customs over their UK-registered car

France to increase financial aids for electric bike purchases

The basic funding for a standard vélo à assistance électrique will increase by around €100, providing the owner meets the eligibility criteria

France set to increase fuel refund from 18 to 30 cents in September

The measure, when added to another refund announced by TotalEnergies, could reduce the price per litre to just €1.50, but critics remain sceptical

Cars by monthly subscription schemes growing in France

We look at the pros and cons, some examples of cost and the influence of Netflix and Spotify

Do I have to change French car’s licence plate if I move department?

We look into what changing address means for your car documents and the costs for updating a carte grise

Car