Are driving licence points deducted in France for cycling offences?
Cars are not the only vehicles in France regulated by the Code de la route
Cyclists must respect France’s Code de la route
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Trucks, motorbikes, cars, and quad-bikes are all regulated by France’s Code de la route, which outlines the country’s driving safety laws.
There are also rules on several methods of transport on roads alongside these motorised vehicles, including bikes and scooters (trottinettes)
However, the consequences of an offence can vary depending on what rules are broken and the type of vehicle that is breaking them.
Drivers who lose points on their license will see the reduction applied across all categories of vehicles they are authorised to drive.
For example, if you have a standard ‘B’ licence, you can drive a car and light motorcycle (up to 125 cm³) without needing additional sections on the licence, as you do for heavier motorcycles, trucks, etc.
Drivers can lose three points for offences committed on a motorcycle. This applies to the entire licence and not just the vehicle.
In France, licences have a maximum of 12 points. If these are all ‘lost’, the license is permanently suspended, and the driver must retake both the practical and theoretical tests.
Bikes excluded from rules
You do not need a licence to ride a bike (manual or e-bike), or a scooter in France, although insurance may be required for electric versions.
This means that they are considered separate from roadworthy vehicles, and any offence committed while driving them will not result in a loss of points from a licence, although the driver may still be fined.
One exception is that if someone is caught driving a bike or scooter under the influence of drugs or alcohol. In this case, a judge may choose to suspend their driving licence.
‘Pedestrian’ vehicles
Alongside bikes, there is a distinction in the Code de la route between motor-based vehicles such as cars and motorbikes, and ‘pedestrian’ vehicles, such as bikes and scooters.
The latter are so-called because they must respect certain rules that pedestrians are also subject to, including obeying pedestrian crossings (using them as opposed to crossing the road where you want), a maximum speed of 6km/h, and remaining on the pavement.
‘Pedestrian’ vehicles include skateboards, rollerblades, manual scooters, and wheelchairs - both manual and electric versions.
