DRIVING LICENCE : DRIFT AND SYSTEM D | TF1 | Reportages

A century after its creation, the driving license is still just as important in the lives of the French. But the means of obtaining it and keeping it have changed! Today, the driving test is reputed to be one of the most demanding in Europe. Every year, almost one and a half million candidates attempt to obtain the precious sesame, synonymous with freedom. And almost half of them fail.

If it’s hard to get, the famous little pink piece of paper is also very easy to lose, especially since the introduction of the points-based driving licence in 1992. A point here, three points there… Every year in France, more than 130,000 motorists have their driving privileges withdrawn. And in one case out of three, this results in job loss.

To avoid this situation, some people will do anything, even pay a lawyer specializing in road traffic offences, who is used to using the loopholes in the system to get their client’s license back. Others go even further and continue to drive illegally, even obtaining false documents.

It is estimated that between 500,000 and 2 million people in France drive without a licence in France.

French people who are often unaware of how dangerous their behavior is, and who sometimes find themselves in front of a judge. Every day, the Police Courts dozens of cases of driving without a license, driving without insurance or speeding.

For several months, we’ll be following these French people as they try to obtain the precious sesame, as well as those who have lost it and are doing everything they can to get it back.

We’ll also investigate the numerous trafficking operations linked to the code and driving license, and the juicy business that goes with it. Finally, we’ll see how magistrates judge motorists who drive illegally.