Starting May 1, 2026, penalties for using a smartphone behind the wheel will be tightened in several departments of mainland France.
“Elchi” reports that, according to “BFM”, this measure is being implemented through prefectural decrees and, in a number of cases, provides for the immediate revocation of the driver’s license.
The new rules will apply to the Landes, Pas-de-Calais, Lot-et-Garonne, and Charente-Maritime departments. If a driver is caught using a phone while in motion during a roadside check, they may be deprived of their license.
The national police note that smartphones behind the wheel remain one of the main causes of accidents and increase the risk of a traffic incident by approximately three times. Any active use of a phone, including holding it in the hand while driving, is prohibited. Headphones are also banned, but the use of GPS navigation and speakerphone mode is permitted provided it is used safely.
License revocation can last up to six months and may be further tightened in the event of additional violations. Authorities in Charente-Maritime state that the goal of this measure is to reduce road fatalities. A similar practice previously implemented in the Landes department resulted in the revocation of hundreds of licenses.
In other regions of France, standard sanctions remain in effect for now: a 135-euro fine and a deduction of 3 points from the driver’s license. The Ministry of the Interior has not yet commented on the possibility of this measure being extended to the entire country.
Məryəm