Understanding electronic tickets
1. Recording the offence
An officer notes and records the offence - for example, failure to give way, using a mobile phone while driving, or smoking in a public place outside the designated smoking area - using special equipment:
- either on the spot with a mobile device;
- or remotely from an urban monitoring centre, using footage from video surveillance systems installed on public roads and in public places.
2. Identification
If the vehicle is stopped, the officer records the details of the offence and the particulars of the person concerned (name, postal and email addresses). In other instances (vehicle not stopped, video surveillance), the officer identifies the number plate using the Vehicle Registration System (SIV).
3. Electronic transfer
The electronic ticket is transmitted electronically to the National Processing Centre in Rennes (CNT).
4. Sending
A fixed penalty notice is sent to the offender or to the holder of the vehicle registration certificate. If ANTAI has the person's email address (given when the vehicle was stopped or provided by SIV), the fixed penalty notice is sent by email. The recipient must accept this notice within 7 days, otherwise a printed version will be sent by post.
5. Payment or appeal
The recipient can either acknowledge the offence (and pay the fine as per the terms & conditions and within the time limits specified on the notice), or appeal against it. Payment of the fixed fine implies recognition of the offence, entails the deduction of one or more points, and means the procedure is closed.
5.1 Payment
The fine can be paid online, by phone, by post, at one of the local payment offices, or to the French tax collection agency, the Trésor Public (DGFIP).
5.2. La contestation
The recipient may appeal the notice free of charge either online via the ANTAI website or by registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt sent to the postal address shown on the fixed penalty notice (or on the top left of the increased fixed fine notice).
There are three possible scenarios.
- Your vehicle was stolen, destroyed, transferred, or sold, or your vehicle registration plate was stolen.
- You want to designate another driver.
- You are appealing the actual occurrence of the offence.
6. Your appeal is reviewed
Your appeal is reviewed by the Public Prosecution Officer (PPO) of the place where the offence was committed. This means that the French legal authorities, not ANTAI, are responsible for reviewing your appeal and taking a decision about it.
7. Decision by the PPO
If your appeal is admissible, the Public Prosecution Officer will decide either to bring proceedings before the local police court (in which case, the judge may either find you criminally liable for the offence or acquit you) or to dismiss the case.
Please note that if another driver is designated, a new fixed penalty notice will be sent to the person designated, who may then pay the fine or appeal it.
8. Checking file status
ANTAI provides an online tool for you to consult and track the status of your file. Go to the offence file consultation section.