France traffic law report
Key findings
- Theory test pass rate is 53.4% (2023, Sécurité Routière — Bilan des examens)
- Road fatalities: 3,193 in 2024 — Up 0.8% vs 2023 (metropolitan France); 3,432 including overseas territories
- 1.8 million tests administered per year by Sécurité Routière / ONISR
- Most challenging topic: Priority & right-of-way
Quick facts
Test statistics
Speed limits
Most challenging topics
1. Priority & right-of-way
Priorité à droite, roundabouts and complex junction scenarios.
2. Speed limits
Limits that vary by road type and weather, including reduced limits in the rain.
3. Road signs & markings
French regulatory, warning and direction signs and road markings.
4. Eco-driving & environment
Fuel-efficient driving and environmental rules such as low-emission zones.
5. Sharing the road
Priority and safety rules for pedestrians, cyclists and other road users.
Road safety
Penalties & fines
- Speeding
- €68–€135 fixed fine for common excesses (1–4 points). Exceeding the limit by 50 km/h or more is a criminal offence (délit) since December 2025: up to €3,750 and 3 months in prison, plus 6 points.
- Driving under influence
- 0.5–0.8 g/L: €135 fine, 6 points, suspension up to 3 years. 0.8 g/L or more: up to €9,000 fine and 3 years in prison, 6 points, suspension up to 5 years.
- Points system
- 12 points maximum; new drivers start with 6, gaining 2 per clean year over a 3-year probation (2 years with accompanied driving). An optional 7-hour formation complémentaire taken between the 6th and 12th month shortens the probation to 2 years, or 1 year and 6 months after accompanied driving.
- Mobile phone use
- €135 fine, 3 points; licence suspension is possible when combined with another offence.
Recent law changes
- 2025
Excessive speeding — 50 km/h or more over the limit — became a criminal offence (délit) on 29 December 2025: up to €3,750 fine, 3 months in prison and 6 points.
- 2025
A new “homicide routier” (road homicide) offence was created by the law of 9 July 2025: up to 7 years in prison and €100,000, rising to 10 years and €150,000 with aggravating factors.
- 2025
Low-emission zones (ZFE) were scaled back: as air quality improved, several cities left the scheme, leaving mandatory restrictions focused on Paris and Lyon while the wider obligation remains contested.
- 2024
Solo driving from age 17 for a category B licence became possible on 1 January 2024 (previously 18).
Sources & methodology
All statistics in this report are sourced from official government agencies and publicly available data. AutoviaTest is an independent educational platform and is not affiliated with any government testing agency.
Cite this report
AutoviaTest. (2026, June 7). France traffic law report: Driving test statistics. https://autoviatest.com/en/traffic-law-reports/france
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