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DRIVING

French MEP calls for special driving licence for SUVs

A French MEP is calling for an overhaul to the law on driving licences, including introducing a special permit to be able to drive SUVs, medical tests for drivers over 60 and a limited permit for newly-qualified drivers.

Published: 21 September 2023 16:47 CEST
French MEP calls for special driving licence for SUVs
A French gendarme checks the driving licence of a motorist. Photo by Damien MEYER / AFP

Karima Belli represents the Hauts-de-France region in the European parliament, where she chairs the Committee on Transport and Tourism, and has put forward a series of proposals to overhaul driving licences across the EU in order to work towards the Bloc’s Vision Zero target – which aims to cut deaths on the road in Europe. 

Her proposal aims to overhaul the EU’s 2006 agreement which standardises driving licence rules between members of the Bloc.

Among the proposals are;

SUV licences – The creation of a ‘B+’ driving licence, which would only be available to drivers who have several years of driving experience. The normal B licence – which is the licence used to drive cars and vans – would only allow people to drive vehicles below 1,800kg in weight, which excludes all SUVs.

She said: “I propose to create a specific license category for driving an SUV. These vehicles, which are heavier and bulkier, are more prone to accidents. Faced with these behemoths on wheels, a pedestrian is twice as likely to be killed in a collision”. 

The proposal reads: “The heavy passenger cars and pick- ups (SUVs) are not only taking up more space and are less energy efficient, consequently consuming more fuel and producing a higher level of emissions but, in terms of road safety, they are more likely to be subject to collisions than light passenger cars, with far more serious consequences. As initially designed, the B category licence is not completely suitable for the heaviest passenger cars. A new driving  licence category – the B+ category – should therefore be established for cars, as well N1 vans, weighing more than 1,800kg.

“Drivers should only be eligible for this this licence category after gaining a minimum period of experience within the context of their category B licences.”

France already imposes several restrictions on SUVs on environmental grounds – heavier vehicles are taxed at a higher rate, making them more expensive to buy, and French cities including Paris and Lyon are bringing in measures to make parking more expensive for SUVs.

Extra speed limits on some licences – the maximum permitted speed for the B+ licence would remain at 130km/h, but drivers on a B licence would be limited to 110km/h, while A1 and A2 licence holders, which covers low-powered motorbikes, would be 90km/h.

At present the maximum speed limit on French autoroutes is 130 km/h in good conditions, or 110 km/in rain or poor visibility. Rural highways have a limit of either 90km/h or 80km/h depending on local decisions. In built-up areas the standard speed limit is 30km/h, although an increasing number of cities – including Paris – are imposing 20km/h limits in central areas.

Night driving limit – the proposal also suggests that young or newly-qualified drivers be banned from driving at night.

Medical examinations – licences would be valid for 10 years and then have to be renewed, and a medical would be required at the renewal. Drivers over 60 would require a medical examination every seven years, with more frequent examinations for over 70s and people with certain medical conditions.

At present the French driving licence has no upper age limit – unlike the UK licence which must be renewed once the driver reaches 70 – and there are regular calls for extra testing for older drivers. 

The Green party MEP said that these measures would help to tackle road deaths in the EU, which accounted for 20,000 people last year, of which 3,000 deaths were in France. 

Her proposals would need to be adopted by a majority of EU countries so could not be introduced quickly even if there is a consensus – on Thursday the German Green party moved to distance itself from her proposals.

The EU is already working on a plan for a digital driving licence – valid in all member states – that is designed to end long waits to obtain, change or swap a driving licence. There are also calls for Member States to adopt pledges to make obtaining a driving licence mire affordable. 

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DRIVING

French city hikes parking charges for SUVs

On Tuesday, the eastern French city of Lyon introduced its new 'progressive pricing' model for parking, which imposes higher charges for heavy vehicles such as SUVs.

Published: 12 June 2024 16:14 CEST
French city hikes parking charges for SUVs

Residents in the south-eastern French city of Lyon face steeper parking prices if they own a heavier car as the city steps up an environmental battle against gas-guzzling SUVs.

The scheme, which was first announced in 2023, went into effect on Tuesday.

The deputy mayor of Lyon, Valentin Lungenstrass, told the French press that the plan is “a complete, fairer system, taking into account the weight of the vehicle”.

Parking will now be charged at three different rates – reduced, standard and increased – depending on the vehicle’s weight and other factors.

You can use the town hall’s simulator HERE to see how much you would be charged.

Here’s how it will work;

For Lyon residents

Instead of having paying for parking at the standard rate of €20 per month, there will be three different, means-tested, options depending on your car and family situation.

Most electric vehicles and internal-combustion engine cars weighing less than one tonne will pay a reduced rate of €15 a month, as well as low-income households and those with at least three dependent children.

According to local authorities, this rate will apply to at least 50 percent of households in Lyon.

The second rate will be €30 per month. This will concern vehicles weighing between one tonne to 1.525 tonnes, as well as plug-in hybrids (up to 1.9 tonnes).

Finally, the third rate of €45 will be applied to those with vehicles weighing over 1.525 tonnes, as well as hybrids that weigh more than 1.9 tonnes and electric vehicles that weight more than 2.1 tonnes. 

READ MORE: Meet France’s tiny cars that you don’t need a licence to drive

For visitors

Visitors will also pay for parking at a progressive rate structure.

Ultimately, Franceinfo reported that the vast majority of visitors will see their rates increase.

The same criteria as above will apply – vehicles under one tonne get the reduced rate, those between one tonne and 1.525 tonnes plus hybrids under 1.9 tonnes get the standard rate, and those above 1.525 tonnes and the heaviest hybrids and electric vehicles get the increased rate.

As such, a vehicle that meets the reduced rate requirement will pay €1 for one hour, €3 for two hours, and €18 to park for seven hours. The standard rate will be €2 for one hour, €6 for two hours, and €26 for seven hours, and the increased rate will be €3 for one hour, €9 for two hours and €39 for seven hours.

You can see the full table here.

According to estimates by the Lyon town hall, 20 percent of visitors will be affected by the reduced rate, 65 percent will pay the standard rate and 15 percent will pay the increased rate.

For tradespeople and workers

There will be a different scheme applied for workers. 

Annual subscriptions will be offered to those who work in ‘urgent repair’ professions, as well as those in construction.

“Several subscriptions will be possible for the same company”, the town hall told 20 Minutes.

Store owners and shopkeepers will also be offered a different pricing plan, as well as healthcare professionals who go to appointments at people’s homes. More information here.

Other steps in France to encourage greener vehicles

The French government previously introduced a purchase tax on new heavier, more polluting cars, amounting to a €10 payment per kilogramme above 1.8 tonnes.

In Paris, residents voted in favour of a similar weight-based parking scheme in February 2024, which would charge cars weighing 1.6 tonnes or more €18 per hour for parking in the city centre, or €12 further out.

Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo, of Parti Socialiste, hailed a “clear choice of Parisians” in favour of a measure that is “good for our health and good for the planet”.

Fully electric cars will have to top two tonnes to be affected, while people living or working in Paris, taxi drivers, tradespeople, health workers and people with disabilities will all be exempt.

The new parking charges will apply from September 1st. 

The French government also introduced a special leasing deal to help households access electric vehicles. 

Eligible French residents can rent a car without a deposit for three years and renew the subscription once, supported by a subsidy of up to €13,000 for each car.

READ MORE: How France’s €100-per-month electric car lease scheme works

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