Highway Code, here are all the new rules for novice drivers - Police video interview

 Exemptions are also provided for. When do these limits not apply?

New holders of a B licence who are driving a vehicle serving a person with a disability are exempt from the above limitations, provided that this person is on board the vehicle, or those newly licensed drivers who are accompanied by a person acting as an instructor, provided that this person is next to them.

The new law also provides for new stakes for driving exercises. What is new?

Another novelty also concerns applicants for a category B driving licence, who may only practise privately if they are already in possession of certification issued by the driving school, that they have practised on motorways and at night. With regard to the latter requirement, certification will only be in force following the issue of a specific decree by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport. In the case of vehicles which, due to their construction or specific characteristics, do not allow for a person to sit next to the driver as instructor, driving exercises may also take place in his absence. For aspirants authorised to practise on this type of vehicle, it is forbidden to carry passengers, a prohibition which, if not respected, leads to the application of an administrative fine ranging from 100 to 300 euros, both for the authorised person and the passenger.

In obtaining a new driving licence, there must be no preclusive situations, such as being a habitual offender. What are the preclusive situations for obtaining a driving licence?

In order to obtain a driving licence, it is necessary to be in possession of certain subjective requirements, which consist in the absence of preclusive or obstructive situations expressly provided for in the Highway Code, such as habitual, professional or trendy delinquency, conviction for drug trafficking offences, subjection to a personal security measure or preventive measure, suspension of the driving licence or prohibition from obtaining it as an accessory administrative sanction in the field of drug trafficking. Prohibition to drive any motor vehicle as a measure ordered in connection with drug dealing.

Let's turn to penalties. What are the penalties for new drivers who do not comply with the rules?

Anyone who does not comply with the provisions on driving restrictions for novice drivers will be subject to a fine ranging from EUR 165 to 660, as well as an accessory administrative sanction of driving licence suspension for two to eight months. A fine of between EUR 87 and 430 will be imposed on anyone who fails to comply with the provisions on driving drills, and the administrative detention of the vehicle for three months will also be imposed in the event that the vehicle is practised without a suitable person acting as instructor.

Neopatent drivers and alcohol, what are the rules to be respected?

For novice drivers, the zero alcohol rule applies and therefore penalties will be applied even if the blood alcohol level is above zero.

Let's talk about points deduction. What happens to new drivers on this front? .

For novice drivers, for the first three years after obtaining a driving licence, each point deducted for each violation is doubled.