By ROB HULL, MOTORING EDITOR
The French Government has taken bold steps to reduce excessive speeding by upgrading it to a criminal offence under new rules introduced at the end of last year.
Effective from 29 December 2025, any instance where a motorist is caught travelling 50kmh (31mph) over the speed limit is now classed as a 'délit' (an intermediate category of criminal offence) and drivers will be given a criminal conviction, or have the offence added to their current one.
UK drivers caught committing such an offence would be subject to the French legal system, which could see them incur a maximum fine of €3,750 (£3,250) and the possibility of the immediate confiscation of their vehicle and a three-month prison sentence.
Britons could also be given a three-year ban from driving in France.
The AA has responded to the new laws by urging Britons to be mindful of the rule change before driving on the other side of the Channel.
Previously, such traffic offences in France were punished by a fine of €1,500 (£1,300).
Speeding more than 31mph over the limit in France is now a criminal offence under new rules introduced just over a week ago. We explain how it works
France has a cross-border information exchange system in place with 19 EU countries as well as the UK to enforce road traffic offences taking place in the country, including speeding caught on roadside cameras.
However, it is currently unclear if an excessive speeding criminal conviction issued in France will show on a UK criminal record.
Both France and the UK are part of the ECRIS (European Criminal Records Information System) which allows for the electronic exchange of criminal record information between EU member states.
The Home Office told us: 'Under the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement, the UK and EU Member States exchange information on criminal convictions on UK and EU nationals via the ECRIS.
'If a UK national is convicted of a recognised criminal offence in France, the French authorities will notify the UK via the ACRO Criminal Records Office who act as the UK’s Central Authority for managing ECRIS notifications.
'Those conviction details may then be added to the Police National Computer.'
Even if the details were not held on the UK criminal record database, the AA warns drivers that they will be subject to immediate penalties if caught well over the speed limit by French authorities at the roadside.
This includes a sizable fine, the seizure of the car and potentially a court appearance.
Effective from 29 December 2025, any instance where a motorist is caught travelling 50kmh (31mph) over the limit is now classed as a 'délit' (offence) and drivers will be given a criminal record, or have the offence added to their current one. It too will see drivers incur a maximum fine of €3,750 (£3,250) and potentially a three-month prison sentence
According to latest offence figures in the country, there were 63,217 instances of 'excessive speeding' on French roads in 2024.
This is a 69 per cent increase in cases recorded seven years earlier in 2017.
With 2025 road fatality statistics in France expected to show another increase – many of which will have been caused by excessive speeding – the Government has looked at measures to reduce these rising numbers.
A 2018 report by the French Road Safety Observatory estimated that road accidents came at a 2.2 per cent cost of the country's GDP when taking into account lost work hours and decreased productivity, damages, medical care, and other elements.
'Exceeding the speed limit by more than 50kmh is not a simple infraction: it is behaviour that deliberately endangers lives,' said minister delegate Marie-Pierre Vedrenne.
'By now classifying this extreme speeding as a crime, with a firmer legal response, we are sending a clear message: road violence will no longer be tolerated.
'This step forward is a protective measure for everyone, for families and for the most vulnerable road users.
'It reflects a demand for responsibility and respect.'
She added: 'The law's mission is to guarantee safety, and I would particularly like to thank the members of parliament who introduced the bill that made this major step forward possible.'
France's junior Minister of the Interior Marie-Pierre Vedrenne said that classifying extreme speeding as a crime sends a clear message that 'road violence will no longer be tolerated'
AA spokesman Luke Bosdet says it is vital that Britons are aware of this rule change and the punishment they could incur if caught speeding in Fance.
'Road laws in Europe and elsewhere can differ drastically from what drivers in the UK are used to,' he explained.
'The AA has long advised Britons going abroad to research the rules of the road in the countries they are visiting and stick to them.
'There is no free pass for bad behaviour.
'The French have ramped up the penalties for speeding that isn't just excessive but extreme.
'Anyone who tries their luck will likely pay a severe price.
'Our advice to UK drivers is don't take the risk, both for legal and obvious safety reasons.'
Additional penalties will remain in place for extreme cases, including the possible confiscation of the vehicle, a three-year driving ban, and six points added to their driving licence
The new rules have been applied alongside tougher punishments for motorists convicted of reckless driving in France.
'Homicide routier' (road homicide) is a new charge now available to prosecutors for incidents where a fatal road accident is caused by a driver committing a separate offence, such as driving without a licence or under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
It replaces an involuntary manslaughter charge by name, following campaigning by families of victims who believe the previous offence failed to reflect the seriousness of the crime.
However, offenders will still receive the same charges.
These include a maximum prison sentence of seven years in the case of one aggravating offence, or ten years for several, as well as a fine of between €100,000 and €150,000 (approx £87,000 to £130,000).
In cases where no additional offences have taken place alongside the accident, 'homicide involontaire' will continue to be used, which comes with a maximum prison sentence of five years and a fine of up to €75,000 (£65,000).
