French requirements for breathalysers in cars
I noticed that UK retailer sell packs of breathalysers for motorists intending to drive cars to France.
An RAC web-page says
While driving in France you are required by law to carry the following items. Hefty on-the-spot fines can be issued for failing to carry specific items:
...
Breathalysers/alcohol test (As of January 2013 the French government announced that the introduction of an €11 fine has been postponed indefinitely)
Another website says
Since April 2013, carrying a brethalyzer with you in the car has been obligatory in France... by law - at least in theory. BUT this is a wonderful law that you are free to observe or not observe, as there is no penalty for drivers caught without a brethalyzer in their car.
Single-use certified breathalyzers are now available in many supermarkets, chemists and garages throughout France, at a cost of about 1 €uro each. So the cost is minimal.
Contrary to information posted on some sites, the new law (Decree no 2012-284) does not oblige drivers to self-test after having a drink. But those who plan to self-test to be on the safe side should have at least two breathalyzers in the car, if not more.
So what does French law actually require?
Do drivers visiting France need to obtain and carry these?
What are drivers expected to do with them, if anything?
What exactly happens if you are stopped by French police and found not to have them.
What happens if you are stopped by police on an autoroute, required to use one of your two single-use breathalysers and left without two breathalysers? Do you call a taxi?
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Do you need breathalysers for driving in France?
Strictly speaking, you're required to have a breathalyser kit in your vehicle when driving in France, but the reality is that no penalty will be imposed if you can't present one during a police road check.How many breathalyzers do I need for France?
Breathalyser kit You may be aware that up until recently, all drivers and motorcyclists had to carry a personal breathalyser kit with at least two disposable testing units. However, in 2020 the rule changed to no longer make it a legal requirement.Why do you have to carry a breathalyser in France?
We have heard that the law requiring you to carry breathalysers has been scrapped completely from January 2020. It is very hard to find any official confirmation of this, but we do believe it to be correct. So, there doesn't seem to be any legal obligation to carry breathalysers when driving in France any more. Hooray!What do you need to carry in your car in France?
Here's everything you need to carry with you when driving in France and a couple of things to leave at home:French Law Requires Breathalyzer Kits in Every Vehicle
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Megan (Markham) Bucknall, Flora Westbrook, Julia Volk, Pixabay