So I heard they have alcohol test if I cross the border to France by car?
This is new for me.
6 years ago it was hassle-free going to Lyon.




So what are your Easter Sunday plans?

Don't know if this is true, but easily solved, don't drink and drive. Or get the train.

What, do they stop you and ask you to make a Mimosa or something?

Nope. I believe it is still the law to carry them, but the new government came in a few years ago and removed any penalties for not carrying alcohol tests. So I suppose, in theory, you could be asked to prove you are carrying them, but you cannot be fined if you don't have any in the car.

From Theaa.com

January 2013 - Drivers in France have been required to carry a self-test breathalyser since July 2012 with enforcement by fines originally planned for 1 November but subsequently postponed to 1 March 2013. Now the French government has announced that the implementation of the sanction (fine) for drivers not carrying a breathalyser – a fine of €11 – has been postponed indefinitely.

Good to know.

But will they let me cross the border if I don't have them??

I wouldn't worry about it. I've been stopped a couple of times at motorway tolls for a routine check. Not been asked to show them a breathalyser.

Of course they will. It's extremely rare for the French border guards to stop anybody at all crossing over the border into France, that would be too much like actual work.

Look it's quite simple and been done to death countless times. Legally yes you should have them but if you don't have them no one is going to do anything about it. In other words don't bother.... would it surprise you if one of the politicians that was pushing for them to be mandatory had shares in a company making them. .. that should answer all questions.

I'll have to stay off the wine gums.

Should be ok on Sunday as all shops are closed- but today the queues both ways around Pontarlier and Ballaigues border were massive- seems like most of NE, VD and FR were shopping there- and holiday trafiic with loads of UK, Belgian, Luxembourg going towards CH. HyperU and Bricomarché were absolutely choker block.

You can normally buy the breathilizer kits and the yellow safety vests (also compulsory) at shops near the customs. They don't normally check at customs, but the police does if there is a road check, or in the case of accident or if they stop you for speeding or other misdemeanour.

well you could always smoke some hash