Expats and drivers are being warned about driving in France this year following the introduction of new laws to punish bad drivers and make roads safer.
Millions of Britons travel to France every year, with the Government launching a number of new rules to improve the quality of motoring.
New driving laws have been introduced to apply throughout 2024 which could see motorists hit with fines for speeding, as well as new guidance to make roads safer.
The biggest law change affecting British drivers are new speeding regulations which could see motorists hit with more fines.
The new speeding fines were launched on January 1 in France
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From January 1, 2024, roads in residential areas without pavements are now limited to 30km/h (18mph).
This is similar to the growing trend of cutting speed limits in residential areas, as seen in Wales with the rollout of 20mph speed limits, which has proved to be particularly controversial.
While the new 30km/h speed limits in France have been introduced, they will not apply to all residential roads as they do in other countries.
Speed limits for roads can be higher if they have pavements with pedestrian guardrails and accessibility features for mobility-impaired people.
New speeding fines are also on offer for motorists who travel through the country after January 1, 2024.
According to The Connexion, speeding drivers caught at 50km/h over the limit will be more severely punished.
These offences are now considered a judicial matter, with drivers potentially being hit with a fine worth €1,500 or £1,290.
It can also lead to motorists being hit with six points on their licence, a three-year suspension from driving, a ban from driving certain vehicles, confiscation of the vehicle and being required to do a road safety training programme.
Repeat offenders who travel 50km/h above the speed limit could face another six points on their licence as well as a maximum fine worth €3,750 (£3,225).
Gerald Darmanin, Interior Minister of France, said the changes were being introduced to “treat good drivers well and bad drivers harshly”.
Between November 1 and March 31 every year, drivers must have winter tyres or snow chains equipped in certain mountainous areas across France.
Laws were first introduced on November 1, 2021, with authorities hoping to reduce traffic and protect road users.
However, these are just warnings for the 2023-2024 winter season to allow motorists to get used to the new rules with no fines being handed out.
Distinctive signs can be seen on the routes where winter tyres or snow chains are required as drivers could face a €135 or £116 fine for not adhering to the rules.
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Drivers could face bigger fines for speeding offences
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Popular tourist destinations across the mountainous areas of France are included in the rules such as Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, Hautes-Pyrenees, Jura, Pyrenees-Atlantique and Rhone.
