This fairly ordinary offense will cost much more from October 1st, the fine could reach up to 225 euros.
A fine of several hundred euros is quite rare for motorists and it generally concerns serious violations of the Highway Code. We are thinking in particular of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, excessive speeding or even driving a vehicle without a license. On the other hand, this is almost unheard of for an offense that does not endanger the lives of others. This is, however, the case of this fairly ordinary offense which, from this Tuesday 1er October, could cost you dearly.
If you have followed the news at all, you have undoubtedly heard about the increase in parking prices for heavier vehicles. This new pricing will come into force today in Paris and other major cities in France could soon take inspiration from it. This increase concerns thermal vehicles (petrol, diesel, etc.) whose empty weight exceeds 1,600 kilos but also, and this is still quite surprising, electric vehicles if they exceed 2 tonnes. For these vehicles – labeled SUV in most cases – the price of parking in the capital will triple, going from 6 to 18 euros per hour in districts 1 to 11, and from 4 to 12 euros in districts 12. at 20.
We agree, parking is very expensive. But what will now be even more important is the amount of the fine that will be sent to motorists who do not pass through the parking meter box. Until now, in Paris, the amount of the fine for failure to pay for parking was set at 50 euros in districts 1 to 11 and at 35 euros in the other nine. Since this 1er October, all owners of SUVs weighing more than 1.6 or 2 tonnes depending on their engine will risk a three-digit fine if they do not pay for their parking space or if they exceed the duration for which they had paid*.
For any failure to pay for parking, from Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. (excluding public holidays), the amount of the fine will be 225 euros in the first eleven districts of the capital, and 150 euros in the nine others. Even the reduced rate – applied if you comply within 15 days of receiving the report – is dizzying, with respectively 157.5 and 105 euros to pay. Enough to dissuade those who previously parked their cars “for free” in Paris. Even if at 18 or 12 euros per hour, it will be hard on the wallet.
* in the event of a fine for overtime, the amount already paid is deducted from the post-parking package