The French authorities pay the DVLA to obtain vehicle details, as can car hire companies who usually stick you with an "administration charge" on top.

Reading this website which is an authoritative resource for all things speeding and radars in France, I think your son has up to 91 days to pay up.

https://www.radars-auto.com/faq/contraventions-amendes-pv/delai-paiement-amende-radar-etranger.php

From the website (translated) ORB could maybe check it.

"What are the deadlines for paying a speed camera fine for a foreign offender?

The payment period runs from the date of the notice of contravention. Payment delays are lengthened for foreign offenders.

To pay the amount of the fine reduced, you have 46 days and even 61 days in case of payment by dematerialized stamp or credit card (on the internet or from a French public finance center).

Beyond these deadlines, you will have to pay the amount of the fine within a period of between 47 and 67 days and even 91 days in case of payment by dematerialized stamp or credit card (on the internet or at a center French public finances).

Beyond these deadlines, the amount of the fine will be increased then you will receive a notice of lump sum fine increased with new deadlines of payment."

Note - The "dematerialised stamp" is only in case of appealing a judgement.

Copy & paste into https://www.deepl.com/translator for a sensible translation, google translate comes up with a lot of nonsense sometimes.

Edited by focussed on 22/04/2019 at 23:52

Me too!

I just got one for a 'contravention' at 0530 Xmas eve.

I also wondered whether the French had a similar requirement to the UK, i.e. that NIP must be served within 14 days. I did a bit of digging and as far as I could establish, there is not. I did notice the following:

1. On the various forums I looked at this question was often asked but not answered.

2. On the same forums there seems to be a recent spate of these tickets being issued.

I know that there has been an agreement in place between France and the UK for the last year (or two?) under which they can obtain registered keeper details from DVLA. I did wonder whether it was a coincidence that I recently got a CritAir sticker, so the French authorities now have a copy of my V5. I also wondered whether the French were making an effort to clear a backlog in possible anticipation of a post-brexit end to the DVLA access.

On another note, as I understand it, most inter-jurisdiction agreements require as a matter of principle equity between the jurisdictions. For example, where a foreign jurisdiction seeks extradition from the UK, the alleged offence in their country must also be an offence in the UK. The UK 14 day NIP requirement is to provide a measure of fairness to the accused. Also, the time limit in the UK for prosecutions is 6 months, in France 12 months. Doesn't seem equitable to me.

I wonder whether HJ's researchers could have a look at this, possibly with RAC/AA etc. to see whether there really is a spike in these fines being issued?

(Only upside is that the online fines payment site is surprisingly efficient. I took the early discount and paid 45 euros.)

Edited by joegrundy on 22/04/2019 at 23:54