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Practical legal guide · France

Fine from France: do I have to pay it? Alcohol limits and penalties

Got a fine from France or stopped by French police? France finds the vehicle keeper in the Czech register, and a final fine of EUR 70 or more can also be enforced in the Czech Republic. Here are the alcohol limits, speeding fines and the deposit asked of drivers who do not live in France.

Describe your case

Updated and verified:

Short answer

  1. Pay the reduced amount in time, or challenge it
  2. A final fine from EUR 70 can be enforced in Czechia
  3. Without a French address the car can be held until a deposit is paid

The alcohol limit is 0.5 g/l, 0.2 on a probationary licence. Speeding by 50 km/h or more is a crime. Find a lawyer on LawBridge.

Describe your case

Quick answers

Do I have to pay a fine from France?
Yes, if it is justified. France finds the vehicle keeper in the Czech vehicle register and sends a letter, usually in the language of the registration certificate, so in Czech. A final fine of EUR 70 or more can also be enforced in the Czech Republic. If you disagree, you challenge it in France under local rules and deadlines.
What is the alcohol limit in France?
0.5 g/l in the blood (0.25 mg/l in the breath). On a probationary licence and in accompanied driving the limit is 0.2 g/l, as it is for bus drivers.
How much is a speeding fine in France?
Less than 20 km/h over costs EUR 68 where the limit is above 50 km/h and EUR 135 where it is 50 km/h or less. 20 to 49 km/h over costs EUR 135; from 30 km/h a suspension is possible and from 40 km/h the licence is taken on the spot. 50 km/h or more over is a crime with a fine of up to EUR 3,750 and up to 3 months in prison.

When this situation arises

  • You received a letter with a fine from France for speeding, parking or another offence
  • Police in France stopped you and want a fine or a deposit on the spot
  • You face a driving ban or criminal proceedings in France for alcohol or high speed

What options do you have

Pay the fine

If you accept the offence, pay within the deadline in the letter or on the spot. Keep the proof of payment.

Challenge it in France

If you disagree, file an objection or appeal with the authority that issued the fine, within its deadline. The case follows the law of France.

Challenge enforcement in the Czech Republic

If a Czech district court decides on recognising the foreign fine, it can refuse, among other things, for a fine below EUR 70. What you already paid abroad is deducted.

Recommended step-by-step process

  1. 1.

    Check the letter

    Check the date, place, registration number, the authority that issued the fine and the deadline to pay or object.

  2. 2.

    Decide before the deadline

    Pay, or challenge it in time with the authority in France.

  3. 3.

    Keep the proof of payment

    It shows the fine is paid if anyone tries to enforce it again.

  4. 4.

    A lawyer for a serious offence

    Alcohol, high speed or an accident can mean criminal proceedings in France. A lawyer helps with the defence and with what follows in the Czech Republic.

What documents to prepare

  • The fine letter or decision and the envelope with the date of delivery
  • Vehicle registration certificate and driving licence
  • Proof of payment of the fine or deposit
  • Photos, witnesses or a recording from the scene if you dispute the offence

Common mistakes

  • Ignoring the letter because nobody will enforce a foreign fine
  • Missing the deadline to object abroad
  • Leaving the fine for more than 45 days and paying the increased amount

Risks and important deadlines

Car held

Without a French address and without paying at once, the car can be held until a deposit is paid.

Increased fine

After 45 days (60 days online) the standard fine goes up, for the 4th class from EUR 135 to 375.

Short deadlines

The deadlines to pay and to object are set by France and are often short.

When it's worth contacting a lawyer

When you face a driving ban, criminal proceedings for alcohol or speed, or a seized car in France, or when a Czech court serves you a request to recognise a foreign fine. A lawyer looks at the defence in France and the consequences in the Czech Republic. On LawBridge, a search engine for lawyers, you can find a traffic lawyer and describe your situation in a request. Legal services are always paid.

Describe your case

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Frequently asked questions

How much do I pay if I pay quickly?

For a common 4th-class fine the reduced amount is EUR 90 if paid within 15 days (30 days online), the standard amount EUR 135 within 45 days (60 days online), and then the increased amount EUR 375.

Can my car be held in France?

Yes. If you do not pay the fine at once and cannot show a home or job in France, the car can be held until you pay a deposit. The public prosecutor decides within 24 hours; without a deposit the car can be impounded.

How much is a drink-driving fine in France?

From 0.5 g/l (0.2 g/l on a probationary licence) to 0.8 g/l it is a minor offence with a fine of up to EUR 750, usually a fixed EUR 135. From 0.8 g/l it is a crime with a fine of up to EUR 9,000 and up to 3 years in prison.

Can French police take my licence on the spot?

Yes, for 72 hours, or 120 hours when laboratory tests are needed. This mainly concerns alcohol and speeding by 40 km/h or more.

What happens if I do not pay a fine from France?

France can have a final fine of EUR 70 or more enforced in the Czech Republic. A district court where you stay decides on recognition, and the customs office then collects the amount. For a fine below EUR 70 the court can refuse. What you already paid abroad is deducted.

Does a driving ban from France apply in the Czech Republic?

We did not find the scope of a French driving ban for foreign drivers in official sources. No EU rule in force yet makes a foreign driving ban apply automatically in the Czech Republic. From 26 November 2029, the country where you got a ban of at least 3 months for a serious offence, such as alcohol or high speed, will notify the Czech Republic, and the Czech authorities will withdraw, suspend or restrict the licence.

What changes from 2027?

EU countries must apply new rules by 20 July 2027. The traffic offence notice must then be issued within 11 months, in the language of the registration certificate, and say how to pay and how to object. The country of residence will then recognise a final fine above EUR 70 without further formality, if it was served on you and you could defend yourself.

Verified sources

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