No. French traffic law prohibits any activity diverting attention from driving, including applying makeup, under Code de la route Article R412-6. Violations risk fines up to €135 and license penalties. Local authorities, per Arrêté du 23 août 2016, emphasize strict enforcement during roadside checks.
Key Regulations for Applying Makeup While Driving in France
- Primary Offense: Code de la route Article R412-6 explicitly bans “any behavior reducing control,” classifying makeup application as a distraction.
- Enforcement Focus: Sécurité Routière (2024) prioritizes penalties for cosmetic use, citing 12% of distracted-driving incidents in urban areas.
- 2026 Compliance Shift: New EU road safety directives may expand automated detection systems, increasing enforcement against in-vehicle grooming.
Local prefectures (e.g., Paris, Lyon) deploy mobile patrols to monitor violations, with fines escalating for repeat offenders. Courts may impose 3-point license deductions under Article R413-14 for severe distractions. Commercial drivers face stricter scrutiny per Décret n°2023-870, mandating pre-departure readiness checks.