French Couple Avoids Traffic Fines

(Cannes, France) A couple has registered their car in the name of their four-year-old son which allows the couple to avoid, under French law, prosecution for motor vehicle offenses.

Local newspaper Nice Matin reported that a quirk in French law allows a minor to be named as the legal owner of a car.

The law, dating back to 1984, was designed to allow 16 and 17 year old learner drivers to be able to have a car. Instead, the canny couple took advantage of the rules to put their car in the name of their son.

All that's needed to do so is proof of address and an identity card. No driving licence is required.

Since registering the car in his name a total of 70 different driving offences have been notched up. These include speeding, parking violations and failure to notify a change of address.

As the four-year-old is the named person on the 'carte grise', the document which identify the owner of the car, he is also assumed to be the driver.

A total of €23,000 ($29,000) in fines have been built up over four years.

Heh.