French motorway breakdowns: how system works and change to charges

IN FRANCE, MOTORWAY OPERATORS SEND OUT A SPECIALIST TO COME TO YOUR VEHICLE  Motorway operators send out a specialist to come to your vehicle and either repair it or take you to the nearest

garage. However, the cost of this service is scheduled to rise from December 1. Only personnel who are authorised by the motorway operator are allowed to attend breakdowns on the motorway.

This service can be contacted via the SOS Autoroute app or the orange phone boxes found on motorway hard shoulders. Companies that provide this service are obliged to arrive on site within

30 minutes of your call. There are around 6,000 such companies in France, with their fees regulated by the state according to the weight of the vehicle affected. From December 1, the cost of

this emergency breakdown service is scheduled to rise by 2.86%. The rise is intended to cater to increased operating costs and inflation. Read more: How does vehicle breakdown cover work in

France? THE PRICE OF MOTORWAY BREAKDOWN RECOVERY The price of motorway breakdown recovery is subject to vehicle weight, day and time and whether the vehicle requires towing. The new prices

from December 1 are as follows: Vehicles that weigh more than 3.5 tonnes require special assistance. These costs are sometimes – but not always – reimbursed by your insurance provider, but

usually need to be paid upfront. Day and time In situ repair up to 3.5 tonnes Towing vehicle up to 1.8 tonnes Towing vehicle between to 1.8 and 3.5 tonnes Monday to Friday (excluding bank

holidays): 08:00 to 18:00 €148.67 €148.67 €183.83 Other times (including weekends and bank holidays) €223.01 €223.01 €275.75 Vehicles that weigh more than 3.5 tonnes require special

assistance. These costs are sometimes – but not always – reimbursed by your insurance provider, but usually need to be paid upfront.