British motorists risk massive £3,200 fine for insurance error when driving in France
Experts are warning that UK drivers are often unaware of foreign law changes
PA
British motorists are being warned of different driving laws when travelling in France which could see them hit with massive fines.
The 2023 Rugby World Cup begins today with hosts France taking on New Zealand, and with England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales all part of the tournament, many drivers will be heading across the Channel to attend games.
Many will be looking to cheer on their home nation and with a short drive across the Channel, thousands are expected to do so.
However, Britons should be aware of key motoring measures that could result in them being slapped with fines if they do not adapt to the rules of the road.
The Rugby World Cup starts today
PA
Even when it comes to some of the more obvious universal driving laws, British drivers were unaware of how they differed between the UK and France.
When France dropped its speed limits on “secondary streets” from 90km/h to 80km/h, a staggering 78 per cent of motorists were unaware of the changes.
Some of the biggest clashes at the Rugby World Cup are naturally taking place in major cities, including Paris, Marseille and Lyon.
All of these cities have a Crit’Air clean air scheme, similar to London’s Ulez, where vehicles are required to display the emissions standards.
Sam Sheehan, motoring editor at cinch, explained: “They have been introduced by the French government in a bid to tackle air pollution.
“There are six different-coloured tickets in total, each indicating a vehicle’s environmental impact.
“For example, green stickers are for zero-emission electric cars, while dark grey ones are reserved for the least eco-friendly models.
“All vehicles need to have a Crit’Air vignette attached to their windscreen to be able to circulate and park in restricted traffic zones.”
He warned that anyone caught driving without a sticker can expect to pick up a hefty fine of up to €180 or £154.
British motorists are also required to carry their driving licence, a passport to get into the country, their V5C document and also an insurance certificate.
If a driver has third-party cover, they can legally travel on French roads with all the protection they need.
Motorists who don’t have the right type of insurance could receive an enormous fine, worth up to €3,750 or £3,218.
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