Skip advert
Advertisement

UK drivers to escape EU speed camera fines due to Brexit

UK’s departure from the European Union puts an end to cross-border directive, leaving EU countries unable to enforce speeding penalties for drivers caught on speed cameras

Citroen DS Eiffel Tower

Brexit brings with it many changes, and the latest to emerge is that speeding British drivers caught on speed cameras in European Union countries are unlikely to face penalties. This is because the UK’s departure from the EU ends an arrangement that previously allowed continental countries to pursue speeding offences committed by UK drivers abroad.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The Cross Border Enforcement directive was introduced in 2015, and allowed authorities in EU countries to pursue drivers for motoring offences, as long as their car was registered in an European Union country. 

That arrangement has now come to an end thanks to Brexit, meaning the half-million-plus UK drivers caught by speed cameras in France each year would not face action once they returned home. Estimates from French motoring website Caradisiac put losses to French coffers at as much as €60 million (£53.4m) thanks to their inability to issue cross-border penalties.

The end to cross-border enforcement works both ways, however, meaning UK authorities would be unable to issue tickets to EU drivers speeding here once they had arrived back in their homelands. British drivers caught by French police rather than automated speed cameras could still be issued with on-the-spot fines, however, while UK cops can require similar roadside deposits for drivers without a ‘satisfactory UK address’.

French authorities are said to be seeking a bilateral arrangement with the UK, similar to the one they have with Switzerland, which would allow previous cross-border arrangements over speeding penalties to be restored, but such an agreement could take years to bring about.

Check out our tips for driving in Italy...

Skip advert
Advertisement

Find a car with the experts

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Kia UK boss calls for clear ZEV roadmap, plus “modest” consumer incentives
Kia's UK boss, Paul Philpott standing next to a Kia EV6

Kia UK boss calls for clear ZEV roadmap, plus “modest” consumer incentives

Brand CEO says ZEV mandate is a threat, asking for clarity from the Labour government
News
6 Jan 2025
Car finance scandal: Supreme Court hearing could halve number of claimants
Finance contract, car key and calculator on desk

Car finance scandal: Supreme Court hearing could halve number of claimants

Scandal involving car finance commission could see motorists entitled to billions of pounds in payouts
News
19 Dec 2024
Dieselgate is back! Thousands of cars could be recalled as scandal returns
Emissions tests questioned

Dieselgate is back! Thousands of cars could be recalled as scandal returns

The DfT is currently investigating as many as 47 models across several brands that are suspected to use diesel defeat devices
News
14 Nov 2024
MoT failure rate is worse for vans than cars
MOT

MoT failure rate is worse for vans than cars

More than a third of light commercials failed their first MoT last year, new figures show
News
12 Nov 2024

Most Popular

Goodbye Ford Focus: the end is nigh for family hatch legend after nearly 30 years
Ford Focus - front cornering

Goodbye Ford Focus: the end is nigh for family hatch legend after nearly 30 years

Ford’s family hatchback favourite is being axed as the brand focuses its efforts on EVs
News
7 Mar 2025
Ford Kuga plug-in hybrid recall warns owners not to charge their cars
Ford Kuga - main image

Ford Kuga plug-in hybrid recall warns owners not to charge their cars

A new recall has been issued on the Kuga PHEV, warning owners of the potential for a ‘vehicle fire’
News
7 Mar 2025
UK trial of super-strong graphene roads could win the pothole war
Pothole repair

UK trial of super-strong graphene roads could win the pothole war

The futuristic carbon material has been added to a new road in Middlesborough, in a world-first public road trial
News
6 Mar 2025