Banned in France

[Omaclister]

I have been pulled in my UK plated car for going between 40-50kmh over the speed limit on the motorway. I paid the fine and they have taken my license and have said I will be banned from driving in France for around 3-4 months. The paperwork they have given me doesn’t say anything about a driving ban. Is this ban enforceable and what would the punishment be if I was to be stopped again whilst serving a ban?

[Rushjob]

Omaclister said:

I have been pulled in my UK plated car for going between 40-50kmh over the speed limit on the motorway. I paid the fine and they have taken my license and have said I will be banned from driving in France for around 3-4 months. The paperwork they have given me doesn’t say anything about a driving ban. Is this ban enforceable and what would the punishment be if I was to be stopped again whilst serving a ban?

It very much is enforceable
Your VRM will be on their ANPR system
If stopped, expect a harsh penalty, up to two years in prison and 4500€ fine.

[leyorkie]

Driving while disqualified is 4500€ but possibly 2 years in the bastille.
They don’t mess about

[Hugo Stiglitz]

Omaclister said:

Is this ban enforceable

Schools out

[Pete54]

Why on earth would you think the ban was not enforceable in France? You can avoid being banned in the UK for a crime in France, but do the crime in France and they can enforce the penalty.

Interestingly if you go to France in another vehicle and drive the way you did before and get stopped, the same penalties apply!

[Omaclister]

Pete54 said:

Why on earth would you think the ban was not enforceable in France? You can avoid being banned in the UK for a crime in France, but do the crime in France and they can enforce the penalty.

Interestingly if you go to France in another vehicle and drive the way you did before and get stopped, the same penalties apply!

It says nothing on the paperwork about a ban. Also he said the ban will be for 3 or 4 months - so no exact time given.

[Doofus]

Omaclister said:

I have been pulled in my UK plated car for going between 40-50kmh over the speed limit on the motorway. I paid the fine and they have taken my license and have said I will be banned from driving in France for around 3-4 months. The paperwork they have given me doesn’t say anything about a driving ban. Is this ban enforceable and what would the punishment be if I was to be stopped again whilst serving a ban?

Yes it's enforceable. The case will go to court (you shouldn't need to attend) and the judge will decide on the length of ban.

You'll then get a letter to your UK address (along with your license) telling you how long you're banned for.

If you'd have been caught at more than 50 over the limit they could have taken your car off you as well.

[Omaclister]

I read online it’s usually an instant 3 day ban and usually followed by a ban of a few months. Does this mean I’d be able to drive after 3 days until I get a letter confirming the longer ban?

[Doofus]

Omaclister said:

I read online it’s usually an instant 3 day ban and usually followed by a ban of a few months. Does this mean I’d be able to drive after 3 days until I get a letter confirming the longer ban?

No. They have confiscated your licence. You are banned from now until the court decides your ban is up

[leyorkie]

See the offence of driving without a licence!!!

[Vasco]

Why do so many drivers try to blatantly fiddle the law ?
Just drive sensibly, legally and not be a total idiot. Then we'll all be happy!!

[Geffg]

How are you supposed to get the car off the road or back home if the ban is instant? Surely there’s a time before your banned over there, if your the only driver and on holiday surely they couldn’t make you stranded with no way to get home.

[500TORQUES]

Geffg said:

How are you supposed to get the car off the road or back home if the ban is instant? Surely there’s a time before your banned over there, if your the only driver and on holiday surely they couldn’t make you stranded with no way to get home.

They can and they will. Why would they give a stuff about you being stranded?

[Rushjob]

Geffg said:

How are you supposed to get the car off the road or back home if the ban is instant? Surely there’s a time before your banned over there, if your the only driver and on holiday surely they couldn’t make you stranded with no way to get home.

Oh yes they can.

To be fair, if there's another licenced driver in the car they will let you continue your journey with a new driver, but if not, it's a problem of your own making and it's up to you to deal with it.

It's not like it's a secret that it can happen.....

[Car bon]

What happened after they took your licence ? Did they let you drive away ? Did someone else drive ?

[Doofus]

If you got yourself into the mess, it's not their job to get you out of it.

When i got banned, the police didn't even ask if my wife (who was with me) had a licence. Not their problem.

She does, so we were ok. Missed lunch though...

[Rushjob]

The fine you paid by the way isn't actually a fine.

It's a deposit against the eventual fine you will receive when the case goes to court.

Expect a further bill.........

[sunbeam alpine]

Car bon said:

What happened after they took your licence ? Did they let you drive away ? Did someone else drive ?

Can't answer for France, but in Belgium if there's nobody else with a valid licence they call a tow truck and take your car to storage.

[Car bon]

sunbeam alpine said:

Car bon said:

What happened after they took your licence ? Did they let you drive away ? Did someone else drive ?

Can't answer for France, but in Belgium if there's nobody else with a valid licence they call a tow truck and take your car to storage.

Agree - hopefully that will help with the am I banned and the paperwork doesn't mention a ban etc.

If they let you drive away, you're likely not banned. If they didn't then you are.

[rdjohn]

They even ban people who are actually capable of driving at high speed.

https://www.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-31035320...