Fell out with the Gendarmerie

[King Eric]

So,

Whilst overtaking Reims coming back from a tour earlier this summer two French cops in an Alpine 110 said I was blocking their way and we ended up having a small chat on the side of the motorway and well I got a fixed penalty and was banned on the spot. That ‘administrative suspension’ ends soon but on return and having revived my British licence back enclosed is a medical form saying I need to have a medical in France(?) before I can drive again. I emailed the address on the letter as ChatGPT says more or less this only applies to French nationals who automatically get a medical requirement post ‘any’ driving ban….but the email address is not deliverable and do you think I can get a straight answer on the phone? 😂

Anywhere here are my two mates - careful as from behind it has no real markings. Well except perhaps the big Gendarmerie letters!

[NDA]

That's bad luck. I assume they weren't showing blue lights.... banned on the spot? Yikes, that's a fairly severe punishment - were you blocking him?

[Shnozz]

I’m intrigued at the banned on the spot issue too. Given I sometimes am on my own driving in France.

[SpeckledJim]

King Eric said:

Whilst overtaking Reims coming back from a tour earlier this summer two French cops in an Alpine 110 said I was blocking their way...

Umm, what?

[Wills2]

SpeckledJim said:

King Eric said:

Whilst overtaking Reims coming back from a tour earlier this summer two French cops in an Alpine 110 said I was blocking their way...

Umm, what?

Well given he was overtaking an entire town it's no surprise no one could get past, I wonder how big his car is?

On the instant ban thing I've seen videos on YT where they instantly ban people, get them a taxi and drive their car away.

[hellorent]

So were you hogging the outside lane and wouldn't move over ?

[MC Bodge]

I don't understand the original post.

Please explain it more carefully.

[King Eric]

Sorry it was tongue in cheek

I was speeding - they caught me from behind - naughty I know but this is Pistonheads isn’t it? Not disputing anything. Held my hands up. Guilty as charged. But basically yes, banned on spot. British licence removed from me and fined (which I paid online at side of road). By overtaking Reims I meant I was making progress passing Reims

Just wondering whether or not anyone else has had the issue with the medical side or things!

[King Eric]

Sorry it was tongue in cheek

I was speeding - they caught me from behind - naughty I know but this is Pistonheads isn’t it? Not disputing anything. Held my hands up. Guilty as charged. But basically yes, banned on spot. British licence removed from me and fined (which I paid online at side of road). By overtaking Reims I meant I was making progress passing Reims

Just wondering whether or not anyone else has had the issue with the medical side or things!

[NDA]

The French have had a bit of a sense of humour failure about speeding. Many years ago you could (assuming it was safe to do so) make considerable progress for a relatively small fine in French Francs - these days you face the sort of penalties you have had. Car confiscation is also possible.

I cross France coast to coast at least once a year and these days I just stick the cruise control on, which is quite frustrating in a sporty car.

Hope you manage to sort your licence out.

[MC Bodge]

King Eric said:

Sorry it was tongue in cheek

I was speeding - they caught me from behind - naughty I know but this is Pistonheads isn t it? Not disputing anything. Held my hands up. Guilty as charged. But basically yes, banned on spot. British licence removed from me and fined (which I paid online at side of road). By overtaking Reims I meant I was making progress passing Reims

Just wondering whether or not anyone else has had the issue with the medical side or things!

That makes a bit more sense then.

How fast were you travelling?

[King Eric]

173kmh on 130kmh - 108mph

[pteron]

The days of crossing France at over a ton are long gone sadly.

[pteron]

King Eric said:

173kmh on 130kmh - 108mph

I thought the roadside ban only kicked in at +50kmh?

[MC Bodge]

King Eric said:

173kmh on 130kmh - 108mph

I was expecting far higher than that.

[MC Bodge]

pteron said:

The days of crossing France at over a ton are long gone sadly.

I'm glad to have experienced it. Likewise for the UK. Allegedly

[Ussrcossack]

Makes my recent Austrian fine of 35e a bargain 74 in a 60km

Plus I got two very attractive female officers, with a great sense of humour

[Rob 131 Sport]

King Eric said:

173kmh on 130kmh - 108mph

What car were you in and when did you get your car back. I’m very cautious about driving in France now, having heard some horror stories from people that have been caught speeding.

In 2006, we were travelling for a day out in La Rochelle from St Julian des Landes when I was caught for speeding (can’t of been a big speed in an E90 320i) on a dual carriageway by 2 Police Motorcyclists hiding under a bridge.

They advised that the fine was 135 Euros and they would escort me to the cash point to get the money. On arriving at the cash point the 2 police men started arguing with each other and then one of them came over to the car. He said that we looked like a nice family (youngest was only 6 months old at the time) and they were going to let us off the fine.

[vixen1700]

Last time I got nicked in France was 1989 in an MG BGTV8.

Copper jumped out from behind a bush with a radar gun and that was that. 900 Franc fine on the spot.

[MC Bodge]

Rob 131 Sport said:

What car were you in and when did you get your car back. I m very cautious about driving in France now, having heard some horror stories from people that have been caught speeding.

Just be aware that they no longer tolerate it, don't drive too fast and you'll be ok.


25 years ago, driving across Canada on a quiet motorway at over the ton, I passed a sign with a list of hefty fines for various speeds. I realised that I was travelling way above the speeds listed. I slowed down a bit.