France car towed away and parking fine-advice

Majic

Last day of our holidays in Frejus, France I decided to take the family for a meal in the town. Didn't understand the sign advising me that there was a market about to take place at 7pm. We parked at 6.20pm.


After our meal had finished our car had gone and we found out it had been towed away to a police station 5 miles away. It was getting dark and we had to get a taxi to take us to retrieve our car. This retrieval cost was 115 euros and I was also given a penalty notice of 35 euros which I have not paid yet.


A number of other families got their cars towed away as well. On speaking to someone on our campsite he advised we should appeal the 115 euros cost of our car and not pay the 35 euros penalty.


I gave the French police my driving licence so they have my address.


Any advice would be most welcome. We were a family enjoying our holiday and it left a sour taste in the mouth

tykesi

A sour taste in your mouth because you didn't take the time to understand their signs? How about taking a bit of responsibility for your actions?

You should probably complain to France though, I'm sure they'll pay compensation if you complain loudly enough!

bazster

Think I'd just put it down to experience if I were you, and if you ever want to go driving in France again pay the penalty. And next time, if you don't understand the signs don't park there!

Majic

Really sarcastic and unhelpful guys!!


As I said a lot of people got done that evening. We're supporting their economy by eating in their restaurants.

System

And that is your mitigation?

cajef

Majic wrote: »

Really sarcastic and unhelpful guys!!


As I said a lot of people got done that evening. We're supporting their economy by eating in their restaurants.

What do you expect?

You parked somewhere you should not have done and the vehicle got towed as it was causing an obstruction, how are the police or anyone else supposed to know what you were doing or where you were.

I doubt that any French people would be worried about your idea of supporting their economy.

hollie.weimeraner

You'd probably get a more informed response if you posted on the French equivalent of MSE if there is one as I doubt very much whether there are any members on here that are up to date on parking matters in France.

As it was the local gendarmes that appear to have seized your car bazsters advice would seem to be good;)

whatmichaelsays

Theoretically, what has happened here is no different to if your car had been towed away by a local authority in the UK for parking where you shouldn't have.

What you are being asked to pay is a penalty charge notice for your improper parking and the recovery fee for the costs that the police have incurred in removing your vehicle. This is all pretty standard stuff.

If you have a sufficient argument as to why neither fee applies to you, go for it. I certainly wouldn't be relying on the advice of "someone on the campsite" too heavily though. On what basis did he recommend appealing / not paying?

Iceweasel

Pretty standard stuff.

In my opinion you haven't got a leg to stand on mate.

How would you treat a Frenchman who parked in your town square and his defence was - I didn't understand the parking signs.

And don't try saying there weren't any - every town and village in France has a local market on the same day(s) every week - come rain or shine and they post up permanent signs saying which day and so on.

Its quite normal that they prohibit parking from the preceding evening.

Just because several others were caught out too, doesn't make your mistake any less.

In the interests of 'Entente Cordiale' I would advice paying up.

But in an attempt to contest it I would start off with -

"Je suis un etranger embrouille, sur la fête de l'Angleterre / du Pays de Galles / de l'Ecosse / de l'Irlande du Nord.

Aider moi s'il vous plaît.

Ask for 'tourist discount' - (Escompte Touristique) - with a laugh and a smile. Their officials occasionally have a bit more freedom to use discretion than ours

For God's sake don't say that the signs should have been in English - or patronise them with that 'supporting the economy' guff.

fisherjim

I used to drive down to the South of France twice a year and you really do need to try to absorb French road signs and try to understand their meaning, its not that difficult. Its very much like over here dual language signs tend to be in existence 10kms from the port of entry then you are on your own.
You'll be better informed now for next time!

Majic

cajef wrote: »

What do you expect?

You parked somewhere you should not have done and the vehicle got towed as it was causing an obstruction, how are the police or anyone else supposed to know what you were doing or where you were.

I doubt that any French people would be worried about your idea of supporting their economy.

There were at least 100 cars parked in a line. I was one of them. When I parked the car it was perfectly legal to do so. I bought a ticket from the machine for 1 hours parking. The machine did not stop me from parking any longer. Yes I got done and it was my fault, but it wasn't that obvious about the market. There were no bollards etc just a sign 12 feet above which I misread.


What happens if I don't pay the fine?