Foreign Motorcycle Riders and France (UPDATE) |
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File under France Travel
Author: Mike Werner
Location: Normandy, France
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Many are planning their holidays, and it might involve riding your motorcycle through France, so here's the scope about the recent law changes.
Breathalysers
It's now official, the alcohol test units that every French car and motorcycle must have on board, is now mandatory for everyone who is on the French roads.
What this means, when you enter the French territory, you must have an alcohol testing unit with you. The unit can be any of the breathalysers available on the market, from expensive electronic units, to single use units that'll cost you 1-2 Euros. You can buy them on-line, or most gas stations here in France are selling them.
The new law states that you must have one on you (or in your car). It does NOT say that you have to use it. The French government is hoping that people will be responsible, and after having been drinking will test themselves to see if they are over the limit.
The new law becomes active starting the 1st of July 2012. Failing to have one, will result in a €11 fine.
Reflective Armbands
Another law that has passed is making the wearing of reflective armbands, or reflective clothing mandatory. Although the law will be applied starting the 1st of January 2013, it has not been made clear whether foreign bikers are required to wear it. I have spoken with the press department of the government on this, and they can not tell us when, or if, this will be applied to foreign riders.
UPDATE: I have just received a phone call from the government's press relations department, and I have been told that ALL bikers when riding a motorcycle in France, will need to wear reflective colors on their jacket. So even if you are riding a foreign registered motorcycle, if you ride in France, starting next year, you will need to wear at the very least reflective color bands.
Reflective material worn on your body must be at least 150 cm2, day and night. If you are wearing for example and hi-viz vest, you're fine. When they decide whether foreign riders need them, we'll let you know.
Via: Minister of Transport
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