Cars and driving: What's new in France in 2025

AI Speed Cameras

From 2025, it is planned that several hundred French speed cameras will be able to detect ‘new’ driving offences using new technology, including AI, including driving without a seatbelt, driving too close to other vehicles and using a mobile phone while driving.

More speed cameras are also to be installed, bringing the total number to 4,160 across the country.

Read more: LIST: What offences will France’s new AI cameras be able to detect?

ZFEs

Officially, another 30 ZFEs low-emissions zones (areas banning or limiting entry by more- polluting cars) in big cities of more than 150,000 residents were set to come into force by January. However, it is as yet unclear how many will materialise, because of political flux in Paris, and because some areas are not keen to have them.

These ZFEs would mostly ban Crit’Air 3 rated cars, which represent petrol cars first registered before January 2006 and diesel cars first registered before January 2010.

Vehicles with a Crit’Air 3 rating are to be banned from Greater Paris from January, but can be granted access for 12 days a year. Drivers can activate a pass by registering online. The ban will affect around 500,000 vehicles, according to a study. 

Crit’AIr 3 vehicles are also set to be banned in Lyon, but not in Strasbourg or Marseille as originally planned. 

Read more: A guide to Crit’Air stickers in France

Roadworthiness tests 

More motorbikes and scooters will need to have a contrôle technique (roadworthiness) test this year. This became obligatory for two-wheelers, three-wheelers and licence-less cars from last year, but with staggered dates depending on when the vehicle was first put into circulation. 

For vehicles registered between January 1, 2017 and December 31, 2019, the test must be done in 2025.

Contrôle technique tests will also reportedly become stricter in 2025 for cars, with the introduction of new systems, able to better detect illegal modifications to anti-pollution systems and motors, as well as minor failings which may not have been picked up before.

Read more: When is a CT roadworthiness test needed to sell a vehicle in France?

Electric car aid 

The ‘social leasing’ initiative for electric cars has been extended to 2025. French residents can lease electric vehicles for €50 or €100 per month, depending on the model. The scheme was a victim of its own success, with the scheme having closed to new applicants in February 2024, but it is set to be on offer again this year. 

However, the bonus écologique, paid out when an eligible electric vehicle is purchased, will see grants heavily reduced for purchases by households, and be completely removed for electric voitures sans permis (small licence-free cars). 

The lowest-income households will see this bonus drop to €4,000 from €7,000, while higher-income households will see it drop from €4,000 to €3,000, or even €2,000 for the highest income households. 

Similarly, the prime à la conversion is being discontinued. It used to offer people a bonus when trading in an old, polluting car for a low-pollution vehicle. 

Paris ZTL 

A new area in Paris consisting of most of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th arrondissements has been designated a zone à traffic limité (limited traffic zone). 

Only authorised vehicles can drive through this zone, such as those used by people who live or work there, and unauthorised vehicles must drive around it (electric vehicles are not exempt – it has nothing to do with pollution).

Fines will not be handed out until April 2025, with an educational period beforehand in which offending drivers will be sent an explanation of their offence. After this, fines will be category four (€135).

Read more: ZTL (limited traffic zone) in Paris: when will fines begin and how much?

Motorway tolls 

Motorway tolls are set to rise on average by 0.92% on February 1. This is less than the year-on-year inflation figure predicted by the Banque de France. 

Noisy motorbikes

New EU standards reducing the noise output from motorbikes come into force for bikes registered as of January.

Historic bridge reopens to traffic

The historic Pont-Vieux in the heart of Albi (Tarn) – one of the oldest in Europe – has been closed for works and is set to reopen to traffic on May 6. 

Read more: Albi: Historic bridge in south of France closed to vehicles for months of repairs