Kind of strange how a milatary authority controls tachograph offences in France,as in the Gendarmes being milatary and are not the police.And good idea to have an ambulance and fire engine in one vehicle,would that ever take off in the UK.Same population levels,but towns and villages spread over a wider and longer radius to reach an accident or fire,hence no ADR loads at weekends as the pompiers have limited cover in rural areas of France.
Although we always refer to them as the Gendarmes, I have only ever been “controlled” by the Police AFAICR.
You are right about the Gendarmes being the military, the word is derived from “gens d’armes”, meaning “men of arms”
Can the CRS,big scarry blokes buit like Geoff Capes,over ride an un lawfull fine by the Gendarmes,some drivers used to get them out if felt they had received an unfair ticket.They were like the riot police.
there are more and more white van controls now where the Gendarmarie only have the job of stopping you but the control is carried out by their version of VOSA. As it goes, my trip back from Alicante this week involved getting stopped by the Duanes twice, and the white van gang twice, the first time they only weighed me, but the second was a good look through everything, then got stopped by Customs in Dover…I must have looked guilty of something this trip, as the last time I was stopped before this trip was months ago…
On an average,get “Dounaned” about 4 times a week.Irun border peages,then forest road to Bordeaux,then from anywhere to any ferry terminal,and guaranteed a turn out in all the french ports.Had customs motorbike control on the motorway,they pull you off,and waiting van for you.Seen a lot of women douanes,and mostly officers,years ago never saw many women on the job.
toby1234abc:
Can the CRS,big scarry blokes buit like Geoff Capes,over ride an un lawfull fine by the Gendarmes,some drivers used to get them out if felt they had received an unfair ticket.They were like the riot police.
If and I repeat IF you are a 100% sure that you have not committed the offence, then call the CRS, they can overturn incorrect fines, and believe me they love firing it into the Smurfs
Lot of Brits stood their ground,but like you have mentioned,it has to be 100%,sometimes have to wait a while to get the fine sorted.