Cars

Parking ticket fraud on rise in France – how to avoid being scammed

Beware of the increasingly common crime of ‘quishing’ via QR code

Will French aid to buy a zero emission car drop in 2025?

French financial aid to buy new electric vehicles set to fall according to a leading auto magazine

Why the cost of car repairs is rising in France

More drivers are reported to be skipping roadworthy checks as a result of increasing costs

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Another French city introduces video monitoring and fines

The new video monitoring and fine system will come into force in January 2025 to protect ‘soft mobility’ users

Car airbag recall concerns up to 1.4m French vehicles, says watchdog

Manufacturer, however, says the figure is exaggerated. The potentially dangerous defect is in Citroen, Opel and DS brand cars

Waze sends thousands of drivers a day through small village in France

‘Our streets are not designed to cope with this amount of traffic’ the mayor says of the so-called ‘Waze effect’

New rules are killing off older cars unable to adapt in France

EU safety regulations include a range of high-end technological updates that older models may not be able to satisfy

SEE: the 10 cars most-prized by thieves in France in 2023

Cars that draw the eye attract unwanted attention too

Big rise in car thefts in France: these are the models most stolen

Some of the country’s best selling cars are among those most likely to be taken, with three regions particularly affected

Can I be fined for not de-icing my car in France?

The French Code de la route details which rules must be followed

Can I renew expired UK driving licence from France?

Renewing or exchanging a driving licence in France requires certain documents

SUV drivers set to pay much more to park in Paris

The Mairie is set to vote on the issue next month, following similar rules in Lyon and Bordeaux

Lyon to base parking fees on weight of car and driver income

The mayor said the three-tier tariff system will help ‘transform’ the city, save on pollution and space

Compost, cars, cakes: Five French practical updates

We recap recent articles which you may have missed

Toulouse tests using AI to reduce driver wait at traffic lights

The system connects to cars automatically to help its AI algorithm interpret the road conditions

What is the HistoVec website in France and how can it help drivers?

Transparency is key when it comes to buying second hand cars

Tips to avoid kilometrage fraud when buying second-hand car in France

Around one in ten second-hand cars is thought to have a false reading on their odometer

Rise in car thefts in France, SUVs and hybrids remain main targets

We explain which car makes are most stolen and where in France this is mostly likely to happen

How electric car grants are changing in France

State aid to help buy or rent an electric vehicle is to be limited to a models that satisfy new criteria from December 15

Easyjet summer tickets, TGV line delay: 8 French travel updates

We also look at the ‘sail and rail’ ticket scheme for visitors from Ireland, the Mont Blanc tunnel closure (and reopening) and the first EV charging station at a French airport

Where in France are low-emission zone restrictions being eased?

Only five French cities will be required to stick to the current timetable of restricting vehicles based on their pollution ranking

Map: This is where private speed camera cars are operating in France

They were present in 53 departments last year, up from 39 in 2021

Recap: 5 practical updates from the last week in France

Changes cover online prescriptions and the launch of a new ZFE low pollution car zone

Northern French city to offer cash bonuses for carsharing on motorways

Up to €80 per month will initially be available to drivers who replace their usual solo journeys with carshare trips

Climate activists deflate tyres of 90 SUVs in Toulouse

The environmental activists struck again this week, in another attack on SUV tyres to denounce what they call a lack of action on climate change against more polluting vehicles

Fuel shortage in France: Tips on how to save petrol consumption

Driving less aggressively and keeping your vehicle well-maintained are just some ways that you can save up to 40% fuel

Renting an electric car in France: where, how and how much?

With fuel shortages around the country, more people are turning to renting electric cars – we look into different ways you can do the same

Climate protestors let down tyres of SUVs in southwest France

Activists in Toulouse are the latest to join the global movement, saying that government action on the more polluting vehicles has been ineffective so far

How did French garage get my details to send letter about car test?

We look into why this happened and what you can do about it

Traffic conditions ‘extremely difficult’ across France this weekend

The first weekend in August always sees both returning and departing holidaymakers, causing severe difficulties on the roads at peak hours, especially on Saturday

TotalEnergies announces extended fuel discount on French motorways

The 12-centimes discount will last until at least August 31 at service stations across the country and comes in conjunction with the countrywide government discount

French drivers force Nissan and Renault to court over ‘faulty engines’

The class action group wants the release of internal documents which, it claims, show the firms knew about the problems

Louvre night guard photographs French toy cars in surprising locations

Making the mini-cars appear full size - Félicien Michaut always has a vehicle in his pocket ready to take a photo and delight his 25,000 facebook fans

French company Renault pulls out of Russia: Why has it taken so long?

It comes as a report shows nearly 50% of all top French companies operating in Russia have not made any move to withdraw or reduce activity there

Will the EU’s new black box rules affect French car prices?

A shortage of materials such as aluminium are adding to fears that the change could push up prices, but manufacturers deny the claim

Why cars are being found on their sides outside French homes

The mystery has been solved by police after rising reports of the incidents across the country, with models such as the Renault Twingo and Clio and Toyota Prius most affected

Toulouse introduces new low-emission zone for vans and trucks

The zone, which covers three-quarters of the city, will eventually ban more and more vehicles, between now and 2024

Process, costs, carte grise: How to register a car in France

We also explain what to do to bring a car over to France from the UK - although one specialist garage said they advise selling and buying afresh in France to avoid cost and hassle

‘Feuds’ ‘claim scams’ ‘rebels’: Why French cars get burnt at New Year

This year 874 cars were set alight. The annual ‘event’ started in 1988 near Strasbourg

Can UK drivers hire nine-seat vehicles in France?

My family are coming over in July and need to hire a nine-seater vehicle. They are all aged over 21 and have held licences for over two years. According to French law, will they be able to hire a nine-seater?

Car washes/jet washes during Covid-19 lockdown

Reader question: Are car washes/jet wash facilities permitted for use during the Covid-19 lockdown? We see locals using them and would like to use them ourselves but are not convinced this is ‘essential’ and we understand only essential trips out are permitted.

How many yellow vests must you have in a car?

A friend broke down and police officers checked the car and said she should have had a yellow vest for every seat in the car. Is this true?

Can I transport my car overseas by train?

Your question, answered: do options exist to transport car long distance?

Can I get compensation for a car accident in France?

Your questions, answered: what compensation is there if an uninsured driver bumps me?

France lockdown: what about car contrôle technique?

Garages will remain open but the government is advising people only go for essential reasons

Are winter tyres a legal obligation everywhere in France?

Currently you do not legally have to put winter tyres on your cars in France

How to avoid second-hand car sale kilometrage scams in France

We summarise six ways to avoid being caught out when buying a used car; plus, the top 20 most-tampered with second-hand vehicle models

Am I allowed to wash my car on the street outside my house in France?

A little-known French environmental law prohibits residents from cleaning their car while it is parked on a street, and those who ignore it could theoretically be fined

Brexit: Do I need to change sticker on my French car to drive in UK?

A rule change means that British-registered cars require a new sticker to be valid in France. We explain the rules for going in the opposite direction

A guide to driving in France

Did you know that France has more than 65,000 roundabouts and that drivers should always carry a reflective vest and triangle in the car?

Report finds 770,000 people driving in France without valid licence

These drivers were involved in 6% of fatal accidents in 2020. The number of people driving without a licence has risen by more than 50% in six years, a new road safety report finds

Alfa Giulia TZ, Belmondo’s Ferrari: unique car auction in France

Cars from a ‘hidden’ collection, discovered in Italy in 2019 by a couple of French car lovers, will be auctioned near Paris on December 12

Why now is the best time to sell a second-hand car in France

Fewer cars being built is driving increased demand for second-hand models, with prices for newer second-hand cars almost equivalent to new vehicle costs

€8,370 fine for beeping wedding procession in southeast France

Participants had a combined 108 points taken off their driving licences, and 62 tickets were issued for breaking the highway code

British-registered cars now need ‘UK’ number plate sticker in France

Change is due to UK government decision - and not imposed by EU or UN as some reports today claim

The 10 most expensive cities to park your car in France

City parking rates are rising as local authorities try to reduce car use. We list where to find – or avoid – the highest city parking fees in France

Tips to find cheap petrol as prices in France reach pre-pandemic level

As demand for petrol surges amid post-Covid recovery, find out where can you find the cheapest options for fuel in your area

Man fined for driving Citroën DS on motorway with only three wheels

Car stopped by police en route from Toulouse was type that saved President De Gaulle during assassination attempt, when bullets burst tyres but could still be driven away at speed

Did you know: World’s first ‘automobile’ was French

The first motorised land vehicle and ancestor of the modern car was invented in France and had its first outing in 1770

New Hypercar class debuts at French 24 Hours of Le Mans race

The new category, made up of Le Mans Hypercar and Le Mans Daytona h cars, promises to bring bigger manufacturers back into the historic endurance race, challenging Toyota’s monopoly over the title

The licence-free cars you can drive from age 14 in France

A guide to how 'voitures sans permis' work, prices and options – and what it is like to drive one with its lawnmower noise

‘Very difficult’ conditions for road travel in France on Saturday

Drivers should set off instead on Friday, August 13 or Sunday, August 15 to avoid the worst of the summer holiday traffic

French car club: EU plans to ban fossil-fuel cars by 2035 unrealistic

The proposals do not take into consideration the progress made in reducing pollution from combustion engine vehicles, a spokesman for the country’s largest car association has said

Paris speed limit set to 30kph across most of capital

The limit, which already applied to 60% of the city centre roads, will extend across the majority of routes except for some major boulevards and the périphérique

Tesla tops list of electric cars sold in France in 2021

New ranking puts the American brand ahead of usual favourites Renault and Peugeot, and was published just before government aid for electric cars dropped by €1,000

Know the rules in case your car breaks down on a French motorway

When you can use the hard shoulder, who to call - and where from - how much it costs to get towed, and what happens if you run out of fuel...

Cost of a week's car rental in France jumps 35% in two years

Average national price increase hides huge regional variations with visitors to popular tourist destinations bearing the brunt of rises

Paris street parking fees set to rise 50% and motorbikes must pay too

The changes are part of wider reforms that aim to encourage vehicles to park underground to free up space in the street

Tips for saving money on air-con for your car in France this summer

How you can keep the cost of refilling your car's air-conditioning down

What’s new for residents in France in June 2021?

A delay to summer sales, new double authentication for online payments, rising gas prices, and a ban on older diesel vehicles in Greater Paris are among key changes this month