British tourists issued driving fine warning for France

Driving to France for a holiday is a great way to take the whole family away without the hassle of airport queues and chaos.

However, according to research from ferry operator DFDS, almost 90 percent of Britons are unaware of key driving laws for France.

British tourists could be hit with fines as high as 1,500 euros (£1,248) for breaking the laws of the road.

The highest fine that could hit Brits in France is given for using a speed camera detection device.

Britons could be fined 1,500 euros (£1,248) for using a device that does so and sat navs can be covered under the law.

Many British tourists are also unaware of the laws around France’s new low emission zones in key cities.

Britons must have a Crit’Air sticker displayed on their windscreen or motorcycle for low emission zones.

The clean air zones are used in cities such as Paris, Lyon and Lille to reduce carbon emissions.

A spokesperson from DFDS said: “The great news is that obtaining the stickers is a relatively simple and affordable process.

“UK drivers can visit the official website Certificat-air.gouv.fr to complete their application. However, caution is advised, as there are fraudulent websites that may attempt to overcharge unsuspecting users.

“It’s also important to note that drivers will need their DVLA V5 document to hand, as well as the vehicle’s VIN or chassis number when filling out the form. You will also need to upload a photo of the document as part of the application.

“The cost is €4.61 (£3.95) per vehicle, which includes postage. Once received, the sticker should be affixed to the car windscreen or motorcycle, where it remains valid for the vehicle’s entire lifespan.”

Britons could also be fined for using a mobile phone while driving or not having a safety vest or warning triangle.

Using a safety vest and warning triangle in the event of an accident is essential in France and tourists could be fined for not doing so.