A few days ago I was pulling up at a red light in France and I was flashed by a red light 'jumper' camera (in a French registered car). I actually did not jump the lights - after I saw the flashes I got out of the car and checked that my wheels were not over the line and they were definitely behind it. If I had jumped the lights it would have been a 'fair cop' as it is clearly a dangerous thing to do and not something I would do if I could help it. With that in mind could anyone please help with the following questions: 1. Are fixed penalty tickets sent out automatically or does someone actually check the photo to confirm that there is an offence? 2. Is there a way of appealing against a fixed ticket in France? If so is it a realistic process or are the odds deliberately stacked against you? 3. How long does it take them to send out a ticket and is there a cut off date after which they cannot send you a ticket as in the UK? (i.e. when can I relax!?) 4. I understand that UK drivers who do not permanently live in France are liable to pay the fine but what about the points? Am I correct in my assumption that there is still no agreement between the UK and France on driving licence points so they cannot be applied to a UK driver's licence?

I can't see how you would have seen the flash if you were not over the line. The camera is the other side of the lights facing down the road. Are you sure there wasn't another car which had transgressed?
There is at present no bilateral agreement France/UK over traffic offences. If you have a fine and have a UK licence points may be applied if you change to a French licence at a later date.
BTW, it is your bumper over the line which counts, not your wheels!

Thanks for the reply. The camera was behind me as I faced the lights (well hidden by a tree so beware all). My front wheels were definately not over the line, but the camera definately flashed twice. I think what happened was that as I pulled up a car went left to right across the lights (to my front) at the same time; however he was on a green light and the camera could not have snapped him as he was side on to the camera. So you see the reasons for my questions.

I would be grateful for any feedback anyone else can also give.

The red light camera in our town works by flashing once if you cross the light on amber,and if you continue it flashes again and a fine is issued. As you didn't cross the junction you might have got away with it,although if you didn't do anything wrong,it is difficult to convince a machine differently.If you do get a fine ask to see a copy of the photo.A lot of lights don't have stop lines so do they give any margin for slight error?MM

It seems unlikely you will be penalised, but if you are, the notice may take several weeks to arrive. If you are resident in France, you will be required to exchange your licence for a French licence so that the points (4) can be deducted. (When only one point is at stake, such as for minor speeding offences, the deduction is often waived for foreign licence holders.)

You didn't say where these lights were located...

The lights in Roumazieres flash all the time..I've even seen cars stopped at the lights in front of me unable to go forward due to the lights being red and too much traffic being flashed several times. I was flashed there about two months ago but nothing ever came of it....

you can pay the fine on line, with no pressure to change your licence to a French one, although it is possible that if you change in future, the points will be deducted retrospectively