Important information for drivers in France

From 1 July 2012, any driver of a motorised road vehicle, excluding two- or three-wheeled vehicles whose engine capacity does not exceed 50cm³, must be in possession of a breathalyser in full working order. With effect from 1 November 2012*, drivers failing to produce a breathalyser run the risk of being served with an 11 euro fine.

A breathalyser is used to measure the alcohol content in the motorist's breath. The permissible level of alcohol for drivers is less than 0.5 g of alcohol per litre of blood, or 0.25 mg of alcohol per litre of air exhaled.

The obligation to have a breathalyser on board the vehicle also applies to all drivers on the French part of the CERN site. All vehicles belonging to or leased by the Organization must also carry a breathalyser together with all the requisite documentation (cf. Operational Circular No. 4).

Drivers of privately owned vehicles can obtain breathalysers from car accessory dealers, service stations or pharmacies, etc. Drivers of vehicles belonging to or leased by the Organization may obtain breathalysers by completing a material request in EDH using the reference number 50.64.03.001.6.

This obligation is consistent with CERN’s alcoholism prevention policy (cf. Operational Circular No. 8).

*For further details please consult: Décret n° 2012-284 of 28 February 2012 and FAQ here (in French only). See also the CERN catalogue under the reference number 50.64.03.C.