Driving – French Vehicle Insurance Stickers on Windshields set to disappear from April 2024

Fom 1st April 2024, the green sticker for automobile insurance usually placed on windshields will be eliminated by the French government.

• The green sticker and insurance certificate “l’attestation d’assurance” will be replaced by an digital registration file of insured vehicles (FVA – fichier dématérialisé des véhicules assurés) within 72 hours of an insurance contract subscription. Police officers can access this file through their digital tools while on patrol.
• Rationale: The government aims to simplify processes for citizens, reduce paperwork, and eliminate the risk of fines associated with the green sticker and insurance certificate.

All vehicles still need to maintain a valid insurance coverage.

• Implementation: A decree confirming this decision will be published in the coming days. Insurers, from April 2024 onwards, will send a memo to the insured detailing their insurance contract upon renewal or subscription.
• Penalties and Current System: Currently, failure to display the green sticker or present the insurance certificate results in a €35 fine. 
• Ecological and Anti-Fraud Benefits: The move to digital has ecological benefits by avoiding the emission of 1,200 tons of CO2 associated with printing green cards and providing glue. Additionally, it helps combat fraud by having a secure digital file replacing a forgeable paper system. 
• Educational Aspect: The removal of physical stickers aims to reinforce the importance of insurance, not just for vehicle damage reimbursement but also for covering medical costs in the event of accidents, promoting education about insurance.
• Statistical Insight: In 2022, over 206,000 people were fined for driving without insurance, compared to more than 147,000 for driving without a license, according to the interministerial delegation for road safety.

The Minister of the Economy, Finance and Recovery of France, Monsieur Bruno Le Maire shared on X (formerly Twitter), “Good news for motorists! We are removing the green sticker to be placed on the windshield”