Understanding electronic tickets (PVe)

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 (CSU), 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 (e.g. vehicle not stopped, video surveillance), the officer identifies the number plate using the Vehicle Registration System (SIV).

3. Electronic transfer

The e-ticket is sent electronically to the National Processing Centre (CNT) in Rennes.

4. Notification

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 (either given when the vehicle was stopped, or provided by SIV), the electronic fixed penalty notice (eACO) 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 of the fixed penalty notice either acknowledges the offence (and pays it as per the conditions and within the time limits indicated on the notice) or appeals against it.

Payment of the fixed fine implies acknowledging the offence, the possibility of penalty points, and brings the procedure to an end.

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. Appealing

The recipient may appeal the notice free of charge either online via the ANTAI website or by sending a registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt 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

The appeal is examined by the Public Prosecution Officer (OMP) responsible for the place where the offence was committed. This means that the French legal authorities are responsible for reviewing your appeal and making a decision about it.

ANTAI does not decide on the outcome of your appeal.

Please note that processing times are at least 2 months, and vary by region and by court, depending on the number of cases handled by local public prosecutors (around 13 million electronic tickets (PVe) each year), and that an admissible appeal will not result in an increased fixed fine without prior notice from the Public Prosecution Officer (OMP).

7. Decision by the local OMP

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 that person, who may then pay the fine or appeal it.