In France not having a pukka driving licence does not stop you from driving a car. It just has to be something like the above (although newer models are available).
There is a small amount of reading-up to do before you set off, but it is very basic and does not involve lengthy lessons, driving tests, etc.
Otherwise the rules are these; your car must be a two seater, have an engine of no more than 4 Kw or 50cc, and have a maximum speed of 45 Kph (I think this is right).
So, there you are. If you're a really hopeless driver, or you've had your driving licence taken away, you can be back on the road in no time; provided that you're willing to be seen out driving something akin to a Noddy Car.
Nothing in France holds you back, but you do have to be over 14.
Are other countries like this?
37 comments:
Ha! Around here, whenever you see anyone driving a moped you assume they lost their license due to a DUI. :)
Haven't heard of anything like that here. Sounds great - let's face it a car is only a means of getting from A to B isn't it. It would be a lot cheaper to run. Doesn't really matter what it looks like. Our speed restriction for the town is 50 kph so it is not much slower.
They're a pain in the butt when you get stuck behind one, they are just so slow.
The same with these mini-cars.
On the open road they can be areal pain.
Exactly. I was following one yesterday on a small back road, and couldn't get past him for ages. Of course they never think to pull over and let you pass!
Saw James May doing a piece about these, and having taken one out on the road he basically concluded that they were bloody dangerous. Let's face it, anything that can't keep up with the traffic is going to put the driver at risk from the actions of others and these little fart boxes have all the crash protection of a paper bag.
Think I'd rather walk.
Does Del Boy know about these? The Reliant Robin is probably one up on this !
And if you saw some of the people who use them, you'd be horrified
The Reliant Robin is a Ferrari in comparison.
I thought that there used to be something similar backalong in the UK but may be completely backing in up. I have a hell of a job in my line of work persuading cognitively impaired old people that they are not safe to drive mobility scooters down the centre of roads! x
Presumably no permit of any type is required for mobility scooters, so almost anything could happen. I wonder if there are any statistics?
Coincidentally a friend (who was looking after me when I had just had my knee replaced) and I saw one (a more modern version than in your photo) in Stornoway. In a further coincidence we had been together in Duras some years ago when one drove out of a sideroad right into the car in front of me. The driver was 90 if he was a day and was clearly unaware of what had happened. It was one of the strangest and saddest things I've seen on the road (which didn't involve casualties).
That really doesn't surprise me. I know one elderly lady who has spectacles one inch deep who drives one; she can't see anything! I keep well clear when I see her around.
Anyone for pastis?
The drivers of these cars probably drink Absinthe.
I once took a taxi in rural Egypt, driven by a boy who looked no more than 12. He had to use a pillow to see over the steering wheel, but this compromised his ability to reach the pedals.
I often see tiny women driving, whose heads only just see through the windscreen. I suppose if they sat on pillows they wouldn't be able to reach the pedals either. They don't make big cars for small people.
Ah I'll tell you what is worse. Here in my neck of the woods, people get a Scooter which is a motorized vehicle that disabled people use to get around. Basically a motorized chair. Then then get the local guy to enclose it to make it "seen". I am of the thinking he only works in red metal. They drive down the highways, wherever they want to go in town; in parking lots they are a menace. They only go about five mph. Oh yes, they believe the driving rules don't apply to them. Almost hit one the first week I lived here. We are talking a small city here. Not safe at all. But it is funny.
I used to see them in the Uk in the late 60's. We don't have them in Canada.
I had an Italian friend when we lived in France. She took her driving test and failed about 15 times. She tried one more time and realised she was going to pass so she stopped the car, got out and made the examiner drive back. She was quite the character.
Most of the time she went places with another woman, who got her licence back after losing it when she killed a child outside the local school. All very sad.
Helen
Interesting post, Cro. I didn't realize those little cars were permitted on the open road!
Well, at least that's enterprising. It's the 5 mph that bugs me the most; otherwise live and let live.
Canada is very wise!
Oh dear. A very old friend of mine lost his twin brother in a motoring accident, but it wasn't the motorist's fault; his brother ran into the road chasing a ball.
Oh yes Jo.... and I wish they weren't.
A scooter licence is needed to drive one of those here. Beside old people also high school teenagers drive them. I think it is a very dangerous car to be in if another car crashes into it; a sardine tin. Greetings Maria x
It's the same basic test for a moped and a mini-car here, but it's only a matter of reading a pamphlet and saying you've done so. Well almost!
I'd rather ride a bike. That looks very dangerous and you wouldn't want to come in contact with a big SUV with that.
The new ones are a bit more serious looking, they even try to make them look 'sporting'.
Reminds me of our first car in 1958 (, with my first husband) - it was a Reliant three wheeler - new, bright yellow, we thought we were the bees' knees)
Did it have 'Trotter's Independent Trading Co' written on the side?
hahahahaha, in Arizona they do not care if they have a driver licence or not. They just get in the car impaired or not aim and hit the gas and go. Any small beat up white Toyota is a dead giveaway.
cheers, parsnip and thehamish
I think that's probably preferable, as long as the beat up Toyota can do at least 100 mph.
Do other countries have this?
NO
Vive la France !
No they don't need a permit. I sometimes enlist the help of local bobbies to gently help me reinforce the message for some people that they really shouldn't be driving anymore.
I'll have the pastis AND the car.
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