Can you challenge a fine received on public transport?
Verified 26 February 2021 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
You can challenge a fine in transport (bus, metro, train...) if you consider that the non-presentation of your ticket was without intent to defraud. For example, you could not compost your ticket because the composting kiosks were not working.
You have 3 months to file a complaint with the carrier customer service by registered letter with a notice of receipt (its address appears on your fine).
You can help yourself to a letter template to write your mail.
If you are not satisfied with the answer or you do not get an answer within 1 month, you can enter the company mediator.
For example, if it's the SNCF: titleContent :
Refer online to the SNCF Ombudsman
If it's the RATP: titleContent :
Contact the RATP Ombudsman online
- Code of Criminal Procedure: articles 529-3 to 529-6Time limits for payment of the fine
- Ministerial Response of 11 August 2020 on the increase in tickets
- Refer online to the SNCF Ombudsman
Online service
- Contact the RATP Ombudsman online
Online service
- Transport CardsService-Public.fr
- Challenging a report on public transport (mail model)National Institute of Consumer Affairs (INC)