New Year, New Rules: What Changes for French Drivers and Workers in 2026

Driving into 2026: What’s Changing for Motorists and Workers in France

As the New Year begins, French drivers and workers will see several important changes affecting their daily lives — from stricter car inspections and fuel price hikes to modest salary and pension increases. Here’s what you need to know for January 1, 2026.

Tougher Vehicle Inspections Start in January

Starting January 1, the French contrôle technique (vehicle inspection) will become more stringent. One of the main updates concerns the Takata airbag recall, a safety issue known worldwide for defective airbags that can pose a serious danger.

Cars equipped with a “stop drive” Takata airbag will automatically fail inspection with a critical fault, meaning they cannot be driven until fixed.
About 1.3 million vehicles in France are still affected by this recall.
Testing centres must now also record the owner’s complete contact details, which will be shared with the car manufacturer for follow-up.

These new checks aim to eliminate unsafe vehicles from the roads and improve driver safety overall.

READ ALSO: Fuel and Medical Consultation Prices Rise from January 1st: What You Need to Know

Say Hello to Pink Temporary Number Plates

France is introducing a fresh look for provisional licence plates. The formerly white “WW” plates, used on vehicles pending permanent registration, will now be a bright pink fuchsia colour.

This change is designed to make temporary vehicles more recognizable to police and prevent registration-related fraud. The unusual colour should make these vehicles easily identifiable on the road.

Rising Costs for Motorists in 2026

Unfortunately, costs linked to driving are also climbing this year. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect:

Fuel Prices: The government’s Energy Savings Certificates (CEE) program will become more expensive for suppliers, leading to an increase of 4–6 centimes per litre at the pump.
CO₂ Malus Tax: The carbon penalty starts at 108 g/km of CO₂ instead of 113, and the maximum fine rises to €80,000 for the most polluting models.
Weight-Based Malus: Now applies to cars weighing over 1,500 kg instead of 1,600.
Good News for EV Buyers: The eco-bonus for electric vehicles rises to €5,700 for low-income households (up from €4,200).
Toll Prices: Highway tolls will increase slightly — 0.86% on average from February — the smallest rise since 2021.

Parking Changes: Safer but Fewer Spaces

Under the Mobility Orientation Law, all parking spaces within five metres of a pedestrian crossing must be removed by the end of 2026. The goal is to improve visibility and safety, especially for children and people with reduced mobility.

Estimated impact:

Around 7,000 parking spaces in Paris
4,500 in Lille
3,300 in Lyon

While this should make urban areas safer, it may create more tension over parking availability in larger cities.

2026 Pay and Pension Increases

It’s not all bad news. Workers and retirees will see some modest financial improvements from the start of the year:

Minimum Wage (SMIC): Increases by 1.18%, reaching €12.02 gross per hour or €1,823.03 gross per month.
Basic State Pensions: Rise by 0.9%, adding roughly €9 per €1,000 of pension income.

Although these adjustments slightly improve purchasing power, most workers and retirees are likely to feel their budgets squeezed by inflation and higher living costs.

In Summary

January 2026 ushers in a mix of stricter regulations, rising expenses, and minor financial relief. Motorists should brace for changes on multiple fronts — from inspections and taxes to parking and fuel. On the brighter side, salary and pension updates offer a small cushion to counterbalance these new costs.

France’s ongoing green and mobility reforms continue to reshape daily life for drivers, aiming for safer, cleaner, and more environmentally responsible transport.

Frequently Asked Questions: New Rules in France for 2026

1. What are the main changes for French motorists in 2026?
Starting January 1, 2026, drivers in France face several updates: tougher vehicle inspections, pink temporary license plates, higher fuel prices, stricter CO₂ and weight-based malus taxes, and a reduction in parking spaces near pedestrian crossings.

2. Why is the vehicle inspection becoming stricter?
The change mainly targets defective Takata airbags, which have been linked to serious safety issues worldwide. Vehicles equipped with these faulty airbags will automatically fail inspection until repaired.

3. How much will fuel prices increase in 2026?
Drivers can expect prices at the pump to rise by 4–6 centimes per litre due to adjustments to the government’s Energy Savings Certificates (CEE) program.

4. What is the new colour for temporary plates in France?
To combat registration fraud and improve visibility, provisional WW number plates will now be bright pink (fuchsia) instead of white.

5. How will the 2026 malus tax affect car buyers?
The CO₂ emission threshold for the malus will drop to 108 g/km, and high-polluting vehicles could face penalties up to €80,000. Heavy vehicles over 1,500 kg will also be taxed more heavily.

6. Are there any financial benefits for electric vehicle buyers?
Yes. The bonus écologique for eligible buyers increases to €5,700 in 2026, up from €4,200, offering extra help to lower-income households transitioning to electric vehicles.

7. What are the new parking laws in France for 2026?
Municipalities must remove all parking spaces located within five metres of pedestrian crossings to improve road safety. This will affect thousands of spaces in major cities such as Paris, Lille, and Lyon.

8. How much will the French minimum wage (SMIC) increase in 2026?
From January 1, 2026, the SMIC rises by 1.18%, reaching €12.02 per hour or €1,823.03 gross per month.

9. Are pensions also increasing in 2026?
Yes, basic state pensions will be revalued by 0.9%, offering a small but welcome boost to retirees.

10. When do the new toll prices take effect?
France’s motorway tolls will rise slightly — by 0.86% on average — starting February 1, 2026, the smallest increase in five years.