Many motorists have already wondered if it is possible to tinker with your car in front of your home, whether to maintain it or even repair it. This practice, which is often prohibited, is however sometimes permitted. So how to find it? The argus takes stock of the issue.
In French law, everything that is not prohibited is permitted. Everyone’s freedom is in fact framed by prohibitions enacted by law or regulations. Are there texts prohibiting car repairs in front of one’s home? What is the risk of breaking the applicable rules? The argus enlightens you on what it is authorized to do… or not!
Nothing in law but regulations setting limits
Contrary to popular belief, no law strictly prohibits putting your nose under the hood of your car to maintain or repair it in front of your home. Yes, but not in front of his garage, because article R. 411-10 of the Highway Code punishes parking there with a fine of 2th class (fixed fine of €35 with a possible increase within the limit of €150). It is therefore necessary to plan to immobilize the vehicle elsewhere.
Regulatory provisions set other general limits that may prohibit noisy or potentially polluting operations:
- Article R. 1337 of the Public Health Code prohibits “ any particular noise likely to affect the tranquility of the neighborhood or the health of man (3th class liable to a fixed fine of €68 which may be increased up to €450);
- Article R. 634-2 of the Penal Code punishes for a fine of 4th classifies the spill as “ unsanitary liquid outside authorized locations (fixed fine of €68, the increase of which can reach €450);
- Article R. 116-2 of the Highway Code punishes with a maximum fine of €1,500 (offence of 5th class) the fact of ” spill or throw on public roads substances likely to harm public health and safety or inconvenience the public. »
Tinkering in front of your home is therefore theoretically possible but without noise and without any pollution. Because if oil, coolant or windshield washer fluid were to flow onto the public highway, the offending mechanic could be fined. In theory, because in reality, DIY on public roads or spaces accessible to the public is strictly prohibited in the vast majority of municipalities in France.
Orders prohibiting “wild” mechanics
Most French departments and communes prohibit what is described as “wild” mechanics. Orders issued by mayors or prefects thus generally suppress any mechanical activity on public roads as well as in private spaces open to the public. Failure to comply with these municipal or prefectural orders is punishable by a fine of 2th class (fixed fine of €35 with an increase of up to €150).
These local regulations are therefore an obstacle to the repair and maintenance of vehicles in front of your home, on a public car park or even that of a company if it is accessible to the public. As for parking in residences, DIY is most often prohibited by the condominium regulations. Apart from emergencies to restart a vehicle following an accidental breakdown, it is therefore only possible to intervene inside one’s property (yard, garden, garage).
A mechanic working at home will also not be able to work on the public highway or in front of his client’s garage, the vehicle must imperatively be parked on the latter’s private plot.
For those who do not have a private space to work on their car, there are solidarity garages and associations providing premises and tools at a good price to do mechanics legally, without risking the slightest sanction. . An interesting solution for amateur mechanics who do not have land to express their talents… unless they live in one of the rare municipalities to tolerate car mechanics in public spaces, without noise or pollution of course.
