Karaoke lover, you can’t help but turn up the volume on your car radio as soon as your favorite song plays. Yes, but are you really allowed to? Listening to music while driving is possible, but certain rules are respected when driving. We explain the rules to you.
Music in the car: what level is allowed?
No need to read the Highway Code, no text prohibits listening to music in the car regardless of the noise level. L’article R. 412-6 however comes on the scene and predicts that “every driver must constantly remain in a condition and position to carry out conveniently and without delay all the maneuvers incumbent on him“. If listening to your favorite song at a reasonable noise level does not seem to be objectionable, excessive volume risks isolating the driver audible traffic signals and thus prevent him from anticipating or avoiding danger.
During an inspection, the sanction will however be left to the discretion of the issuing officer. If applicable: a 2nd class fine, i.e. 35 euros fixed fine.
A sanction for noise is possible
By definition, noise is a noise nuisance generally denounced in conflicts between neighbors, but which in reality applies to all sources of noise which can harm the peace and quiet of a home. If a driver is caught red-handed by the police listening to music very loudly, it can be verbalized on the simple appreciation of the agents. This verbalization will be more easily established at night, because nocturnal noise is characterized by a single observation, while diurnal noise must be repeated over time.
A 3rd class fine can then be applied, i.e. a fixed fine of 68 euros (reduced to 45 euros and increased to 180 euros). In reality, it is complicated to observe the offense on a moving vehicle.
Can you use earphones or headphones in the car?
As part of the National Road Safety Plan, the decree n°2015-743 of June 24, 2015 prohibits listening to music with headphones or with a helmetwhether they are wired or wireless, driving. The text is very broad since it speaks of any device capable of emitting sound. This not only concerns music, but also telephone conversations with a hands-free kit, Bluetooth or wired, podcasts or radio.
Using headphones or headphones while driving exposes you to a 4th class fine: a fixed fine of 135 euros and a deduction of 3 points (reduced to 90 euros and increased to 375 euros).