France car towed away and parking fine-advice

Majic

Iceweasel wrote: »

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

Funny you should say that as in Frejus the local councillors are concerned that the locals are not supporting the economy due to the recession in France and that the restaurants and cafes are reliant on tourists.


Well probably many of the tourists that had there car towed away won't be coming back.


My point is that it wasn't that obvious a market was about to take place. Why? because so many got done.

Majic

whatmichaelsays wrote: »

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?

That it was not that obvious a market was about to take place. No bollards just one or two signs

Umkomaas

What happens if I don't pay the fine?

Are you ever thinking of driving again in France?

If you do want to object to the way the authorities have handled this, you're going to have to be pretty adept in written French. You'll also need to be pretty adept at reading and understanding French to get a grip of their laws, byelaws and parking technical issues - I'm sure they will be somewhat different from those in the UK.

Guys_Dad

Our road signs are in English (unless in Wales) as are all of our signs. We expect people to be able to follow them, so why any difference in France?

You will get a charge letter in due course, and it will be in French. You will need to read what it says and check if it can be pursued in the UK.

The other thing is that France is divided into departments and some matters are restricted to that department and not national. You need to see if they have the equivalent of the PNC over there.

Majic

Guys_Dad wrote: »

Our road signs are in English (unless in Wales) as are all of our signs. We expect people to be able to follow them, so why any difference in France?

You will get a charge letter in due course, and it will be in French. You will need to read what it says and check if it can be pursued in the UK.

The other thing is that France is divided into departments and some matters are restricted to that department and not national. You need to see if they have the equivalent of the PNC over there.

I won't be getting a charge letter will I unless I don't pay the 35 Euros. At 10.15pm in a French police station an admin clerk who did not speak English told me I had to attach a cheque to a card she gave me which I then had to put a stamp on.


It was as clear as mud what to do. and I'm none the wiser now as to how I'm meant to pay the fine.


I have a postcard with an address on Regie De Recettes De L'Etat, Police Municipale


I'm meant to attach a cheque to this which obviously I can't being in Euros so how do I pay?

Coupon-mad

Hire car - or your own car? If it was a hire car, pay it quickly before you get a nasty surprise of a higher amount being debited by the hire firm when they are written to.

But if it's your car why not search the forum and Google for 'French parking fine' (done it for you):

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=french+parking+fine