Mike1958 Posted September 20, 2006 Share Posted September 20, 2006 We have had our house here in the Pyrenees for over two years however have only been here full time for a week or so. This afternoon I was pulled over (along with a few others) by the Gendarmes who promptly fined me 90 euro for failing to stop at a stop sign. I didnt argue but was under the impression that the particular junction was a filter (my mistake).The reason for the post is that the GD stated that had I had a French license I would have also been docked 4 points, which probably is a good reason not to change over to a French license. An expensive lesson in the French rules of the road.Regards,Mikewww.peak-times.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cassis Posted September 20, 2006 Share Posted September 20, 2006 You may find, if you are resident here, that you are asked to change your licence for a French one, having been deducted 4 points. In any case, the points are still kept on record (if I understand SD's postings on such matters correctly). [:(] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjamin Posted September 20, 2006 Share Posted September 20, 2006 Are you driving a UK or French registered vehicle?Benjamin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike1958 Posted September 20, 2006 Author Share Posted September 20, 2006 Its a French registered Land Rover, I am assuming that if I had UK plates I probably wouldnt have been stopped. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BJSLIV Posted September 21, 2006 Share Posted September 21, 2006 English friends on holiday were fined for the same offence. As they hadn't enough cash to pay the fine they were escorted to the nearest cash machine.The rule is count to three at all Stop signs before moving off.You are quite likely to get a written instruction requiring you to change to a French licence so that points can be deducted. Incurring a driving penalty will normally invoke this procedure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cassis Posted September 21, 2006 Share Posted September 21, 2006 I did get away with a one-pointer without having to change my licence. I'm not sure how many they'll just keep on your file before making you change your licence so they can record it properly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Avery Posted September 21, 2006 Share Posted September 21, 2006 Maybe around the Channel ports the Gendarmes are more welcoming or not so picky. While returning from the UK last month, I noticed whilst waiting in the queue for the Sea France Ferry that only two cars out of the 20 or so I looked at had a GB plate on them. Most had no obvious luggage and were probably going for the beer and fags I suspect, but is this no longer compulsory or just overlooked if you are only going to Cité Europe?. Are the people who do not bother to put on a GB plate, arrogant, ignorant, tight or all three? Does it follow that no GB plate equals no headlight deflectors either? Seemed to be the case unless L registered mondeos have adjustable headlights.[Www] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
naps Posted September 21, 2006 Share Posted September 21, 2006 [quote user="Cassis"]You may find, if you are resident here, that you are asked to change your licence for a French one, having been deducted 4 points. In any case, the points are still kept on record (if I understand SD's postings on such matters correctly). [:(][/quote] Is this really the case?I ask because my OH has been stopped for speeding and failing to stop at a stop sign (we're resident in France, with UK European licences, driving French registered cars). There was no request for him to change his licence, and they were content with issuing a fine to be paid within 7 days (rather than payment on the spot). However, if at some point in the coming months in commits another driving offence [:@], and is requested to change is licence, would there be a 'back-log' of points added? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjamin Posted September 21, 2006 Share Posted September 21, 2006 NapsYes.Benjamin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunday Driver Posted September 21, 2006 Share Posted September 21, 2006 RonGB stickers are still required if the number plate doesn't have the Eurosymbol country code blue panel. As you say, it's probably a "minor" point that isn't generally enforced.People who don't display the GB are probably ignorant of the requirement (and I'll wager most don't have a clue about the rules of the road in France), but no doubt there will be some who follow the "so what, who cares" philosophy. Also, think of all those diehard British people who regard anything to do with the EU as robbing them of their sovereignty/heritage/virginity - I've come across several who refuse point blank to buy Euro number plates (even though they're driving continental built cars). In France, except for older cars qualifying for black/white plates, the Euro number plate is compulsory.Regarding gendarmes being more welcoming around the channel ports, there's a stretch of autoroute north of Rouen on the way to Dieppe where the limit unexpectedly drops to 110 - it's a favourite spot for pulling British tourists racing to catch the ferry......[:-))] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renaud Posted September 21, 2006 Share Posted September 21, 2006 A friend whilst driving a right-hand drive UK registered car arrived at a paeage. Being petite and not able to stretch across the passenger seat, she put the car into park, applied the handbrake and walked round to deal with the ticket.A watching gendame then fined her for not having secured the vehicle by having turned off the ignition. Be warned.On another occasion she was caught not stopping at a stop sign. She defended herself by saying that she thought that she had stopped. "I do not lie" responded the gendame. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Posted September 21, 2006 Share Posted September 21, 2006 [quote user="BJSLIV"]You are quite likely to get a written instruction requiring you to change to a French licence so that points can be deducted. Incurring a driving penalty will normally invoke this procedure. [/quote]Yes that happened to me, 3 months after the fine got a call from the local police asking me to take all my paperwork along, which they photocopied , then 2 weeks later another call to say i had to go back to be told i had 7 days to change the licence to a french one so points could be taken away. They did give me 2 weeks to change as i was going away to but had to go back to them with the new licence Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cassis Posted September 21, 2006 Share Posted September 21, 2006 How many points was it, Alan? I only ask because I gather there is some leeway, and for one or two points they may not make you change the licence, but I've no idea how far this police discretion stretches. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjamin Posted September 21, 2006 Share Posted September 21, 2006 I received a speeding fine after being clocked by a moveable radar trap. Received a fine of 68 euros in the post and took the offer of paying 45 euros if done within, I think,two weeks. The document stated I had been penalised one point ( it was marginal m'lud and I should really have been let off!)Pal of mine did the same thing with the same result. He then did it again and was visited by the local Gendarmes. Now, and he swears this is true, there was a discussion about changing his UK licence for a French one but nothing concrete came of it and they just disappeared.Is this another "French" thing open to interpretation by an indivdual Gendarme?Benjamin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cassis Posted September 21, 2006 Share Posted September 21, 2006 It would come as no surprise to me, Benjamin, if what you suggest is true. But I guess there has to be a point where discretion is no longer allowed, and I was wondering where the line is drawn in the sand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jc Posted September 21, 2006 Share Posted September 21, 2006 The requirement to display a GB plate dates back to 1928 and this requirement has never been rescinded. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Posted September 21, 2006 Share Posted September 21, 2006 [quote user="Cassis"]How many points was it, Alan? I only ask because I gather there is some leeway, and for one or two points they may not make you change the licence, but I've no idea how far this police discretion stretches.[/quote]2 pointsat the time i was driving a friends hire car ( as he was not to keen on driving ) had my passport with me and uk licence and for a split second when he asked if i lived in france i thought about saying no, but thought i had better not . He then said that it was likely that i would have to change to a french one due to the points , took my cds details etc and that was that Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cassis Posted September 21, 2006 Share Posted September 21, 2006 Wow. That sounds tough.Re the GB plates, I think it was part of the Geneva Convention, was it not, that you had to carry your country identifier when abroad? Signed in 1928, presumably? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunday Driver Posted September 22, 2006 Share Posted September 22, 2006 [quote user="Cassis"]I think it was part of the Geneva Convention...[/quote]Means the flics can't torture you into confessing you've forgotten the sticker...[:D] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cassis Posted September 22, 2006 Share Posted September 22, 2006 [quote user="Sunday Driver"][quote user="Cassis"]I think it was part of the Geneva Convention...[/quote]Means the flics can't torture you into confessing you've forgotten the sticker...[:D] [/quote]Unless they extraordinarily render you to Guantanamo Bay first ... [:D] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crevette Posted September 26, 2006 Share Posted September 26, 2006 I don't understand how all this "have to change to French liscence" can be imposed following on from the discussions on other threads which say that you are fine with e UK liscence under european law..?-Rob- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BJSLIV Posted September 26, 2006 Share Posted September 26, 2006 I don't understand........... If you want it in Frenchhttp://www.les-permis.com/savoirs/etrangers.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cassis Posted September 26, 2006 Share Posted September 26, 2006 I'm sure I read somewhere that your permission to use your home country EU licence when resident in other EU states is on the understanding that you do not commit any traffic violations requiring the deduction/addition of points on said licence. So when you offend they can ask you to change your licence so they can record your points on it. Rather than make you change your licence for one or two points it appears the French authorities will give you one or two points leeway, but any more than that and they will make you change it. Such seems to have been the experience of forum members.Here's the relevant bit of law, reproduced from BJSLIV's very helpful link:Si vous commettez des infractions entraînant une perte de points ou un retrait de permis de conduire, vous serez dans l'obligation de faire procéder à l'échange de votre permis d'origine contre un permis français. Cette formalité s'effectue à la Préfecture du département de votre résidence. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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