France bans high‑power cars for new drivers under RIPOST law

France's Parliament has approved the RIPOST legislation, which will prohibit drivers holding a provisional licence from operating high‑power cars for the duration of their test period—three years for standard licences and two years for those obtained through supervised driving. The exact horsepower limit will be set by a presidential decree.

Violations can attract fines of up to €15,000 and up to one year in prison, doubled to €30,000 and two years if authorities deem the breach a serious safety risk. Vehicles may be seized, and car‑rental firms face penalties of up to €1,500 for supplying powerful cars to provisional drivers. Interior Minister Loràn Nounies says the measure is part of a broader road‑safety package aimed at reducing severe accidents involving inexperienced drivers.