The program of changes from March 1, the increase of certain packs of cigarettes, the drop in the price of gas or a new driver's license for motorcycles and new scales for the ecological penalty.
Increase in the price of tobacco. The prices of tobacco, cigarettes and roll-your-own tobacco will increase from Sunday. This is the second increase since the start of the year. The third and last is to take place in November.
The government's objective as part of its fight plan is to reduce smoking in France by touching smokers with their wallets.
This new increase will push the package of certain brands above the symbolic bar of ten euros. The Marlboro package will drop from 9.30 euros to 10 euros. Other brands will increase by 50 cents, such as the Gauloises Bleues, which will go from 9 to 9.50 euros. Finally, several brands have decided to freeze their prices as at Winston.
For roll-your-own tobacco, the average increases will be one euro. Thus, the 30 g package to roll Marlboro will drop from 13 to 14 euros.
A new motorcycle license. The motorcycle license will become more demanding. From now on, candidates will take a new test of the Highway Code, specifically designed for two-wheelers. Called Motorcycle Theory Test (ETM), this system will consist of 40 questions and videos relating exclusively to driving motorcycles. From March 18, the practical exam will also be changed.
“It pays me” newsletter
The newsletter that improves your purchasing powerI'm registering
Your email address is collected by Le Parisien to allow you to receive our news and commercial offers. Find out more
The examination on set will be shortened due to the elimination of the exercise of technical checks and oral examination. On the other hand, the road test will be extended by ten minutes from 30 to 40 minutes of driving. To obtain the permit, you will need to reach a score of 21 points out of 27, compared to 17 currently.
For people who have already obtained their "car" code for less than 5 years, they will have until September 1 to try the motorcycle license under the old terms.
Raising the ecological penalty threshold. The new scale in line with European standards will in principle apply from 1 March. The decree was published this Friday in the Official Journal. A measure that should not encourage sales in the automotive market.
This ecological penalty is a tax due to the purchase of a new car which penalizes the most polluting vehicles according to the amount of CO2 they emit. Lowered to 110g / km on January 1, 2020, it will now apply to vehicles emitting 138 g / km.
According to a calculation by the CNPA (National Center of the Automotive Professions), the Dacia Duster TCe 130, whose displayed emissions will drop from 138 g / km (old standards) to 172 g / km (new standards) will see its penalty increase from 1,629 to 2,544 euros compared to 540 euros last year.
It will be 50 euros for the minimum threshold and may go up to 20,000 euros for vehicles exceeding 213 g / km.
Sharp drop in gas prices. Good news for subscribers to regulated gas tariffs. On March 1, 2020, Engie's regulated tax-free rates will drop on average by 4.6% compared to those of February.
In detail, this drop is 1.2% for customers who use gas for cooking, 2.7% for those who have dual use, cooking and hot water, and 4.8% for homes that heat with gas.
Since January 1, 2019, Engie's regulated gas sales prices have decreased on average by 18.6%.
Pay your taxes at the tobacco shop. In ten departments, 600 pioneer tobacco shops will offer taxpayers to pay their housing tax, their property tax as well as their fines and utility bills up to the school canteen.
A first step before a generalization of this new service in July.
A secure card for VTC drivers. To avoid fraud, VTC drivers will need to have a secure card.
Drivers who have not yet obtained the new card must address their request to their prefecture.
Gender equality? From March 1, all companies with 50 or more employees are required to publish their professional equality index.
You can consult it with your representatives from the Social and Economic Council (CSE) or on the websites of the companies concerned.
And also in March…
Parcoursup: March 12, deadline for vows. Bachelor candidates, like all students wishing to reorient themselves in the first year of higher education, must imperatively have made their wishes on the Parcoursup platform before March 12. Applicants can register up to 10 wishes without order of preference. Applicants then have until April 2 to finalize the files requested by the training.
Anticipate proxies for municipal elections. Municipal elections are held on March 15 and 22. If your municipality is absent on these dates, the procedure for making a power of attorney is simple, free and quick if you do not do it at the last moment. Officially, there is no deadline.
A power of attorney can be issued at any time, but in practice the voter may not be able to vote if the town hall on which he or she reports has not received the power of attorney in time. It is rather advisable to do it at least three days before the vote, taking into account the time limits for routing the proxy. And a word of advice, the earlier you go (at least two weeks in advance), the more you will avoid the queue that inevitably forms in the last days before the vote.