French police are set to get the power to deprive British drivers of their licences.
Motorists who commit minor traffic offences in France could for the first time incur points on their licences at home.
The plan is part of a major clampdown on foreign drivers in France and would see them punished for offences including speeding and illegal parking.
Penalties imposed in France would contribute to the 12 points needed to incur a driving ban in this country.
Twelve million Britons cross the Channel each year. In an attempt to catch the summer stream of tourists, French authorities are aiming to have struck a deal with the British Government by July as pressure grows on them to reduce the annual road-death toll of 7,000 – double that in the UK.
But motoring organisations fear British drivers would become easy targets for French police. AA Motoring Trust deputy director Bert Morris said: “If British motorists are ‘done’ in Paris for a parking or speeding offence, it will be very difficult and expensive for them to defend themselves.