France - Car rentals in France Beware

As of today, July 1, 2012, you must have an alcohol testing kit in your car when you drive in France. If you get pulled over (even if you are totally sober) and do not have the test on you, you will get a ticket.

Law is in effect today, fines will be issued as of Nov 1, 2012.

So if you rent a car in Europe and decide to drive in France, make sure you have the test. The kit runs about $2 and is available at gas stations.

Most experts believe the tests are highly unreliable, but the President of the French Automobile Club stated that "having the kit in the glove compartment is a constant reminder of the risk factor alcohol and increases the sensitivity of a driver to drunk driving.". Obviously Didier Bollecker has no clue how drunk drivers think.

You can't make this stuff up. Really

Thanks for thw advice. I would have never thought of buying one.

Your title says car rental IN FRANCE;
I assume if you rent a car IN FRANCE the bag will be included, right?
My guess is that your warning is if you rent a car outside France and drive it to France, like you said in the body of your comments.

Yes, in theory the rental car you get in France should come with it, but I would check regardless...

If the test is IN the car in its bag, then it has not yet been used, so what is the point?

Silly laws are everywhere.

and the fine to expect is 11€ - I am sure, this will kill your holiday budget and justifies such a lurid thread title. ;)

What's the idea of this, to test oneself? Is it blowing into a bottle, or how does it work?

It's also interesting in that DWI is not nearly the problem in France that it is in the US.

Another thing that could happen "only in France". Something like the Customs Agents Window closing for lunch at Nice Airport. Or the ever-so-common "Fermeture exceptionelle."

I think the last post in this thread sums up why the law's there:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/france/1322865-july-1-all-cars-must-have-breathalyzers.html

There is a grace period now since there aren't enough of these kits for everyone. So the law really goes into effect on November 1st. Unless the govt decides to extend it.

There are a huge number of complaints from motorists saying this is just a scam by the company(s) that make these kits, so they can sell about 40 million units.

At the time of writing, there are no kits to be had in Alsace .... all sold out.