Can we publish the license plates of radar cars on social media?

As their numbers steadily increase on our roads, speed camera cars have become objects of paparazzi-like attention.

More and more motorists are sharing photos of speed camera cars on social media, often accompanied by their license plates. But is this practice really legal? The answer is yes, under certain conditions.

In France, there is currently no law that expressly prohibits the publication of the license plates of speed camera cars, even if these vehicles are unmarked. The saying “What is not forbidden is allowed” is not a written legal rule, but it reflects a fundamental principle of French law, especially regarding individual freedoms. Since the plates are visible from public roads, their photography and dissemination are, in principle, lawful. Some specialized sites even regularly catalog them for informational purposes. Therefore, publishing a speed camera car’s plate does not, by itself, constitute an offense.

Case law supports this position. In 2016, the Court of Cassation ruled that reporting the presence of speed cameras or traffic controls on a platform like Facebook did not constitute an offense under the Highway Code. This decision confirms the legality of participatory systems like Waze or Coyote, as long as they rely on real-time user reports. However, devices that automatically detect or jam speed cameras remain strictly prohibited.

Common sense before the perfect shot

However, a certain caution is warranted. A license plate can be considered personal data under the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation), as it allows, even indirectly, the identification of a natural person. If its dissemination is accompanied by malicious intent such as harming, intimidating, or harassing, it can then become illegal. Publicly denigrating the driver of an identified vehicle is also punishable. Sadly, social media is the playground of all kinds of haters…

In summary, publishing a photo of a speed camera car with its plate is permitted in France as long as it does not come with malicious intents, such as revealing the driver’s identity, indicating their residence, or adding insulting remarks. But is it worth the trouble? By focusing too much on these vehicles, one risks neglecting their own driving. And if one fears their presence, it may be that they are violating the Highway Code. Ultimately, it is better to exercise common sense and respect others’ privacy. Freedom of expression exists, but it is always exercised within the framework of the law.

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