Regulations and Safety of Petit Trains
Each vehicle composing the petit train is approved by the "service des mines", either by type or individually. All our vehicles are up to date with all administrative procedures. As a reminder, and as stipulated by the decree of January 22, 2015 governing our profession, petit trains must be inspected annually by an independent control body, mandated by the prefecture of our department. The petit train company must be declared as a carrier and must obtain an internal transport license for the account of others by means of tourist petit trains. The company must possess a number of certified copies equal to its number of vehicles in circulation. Petit trains must also be approved in convoys via an initial visit.
Please note: procedures concerning the circulation of a petit train with the competent authorities are the responsibility of the operator. Under no circumstances can the provider shift the responsibility to its client for obtaining authorizations.
In France, only petit trains with French approval can circulate on public roads
Please note: procedures concerning the circulation of a petit train with the competent authorities are the responsibility of the operator. Under no circumstances can the provider shift the responsibility to its client for obtaining authorizations.
In France, only petit trains with French approval can circulate on public roads
By the SFAPA team
Key Points of the Regulation
Prefectural Decree
Any circulation on public roads requires a specific authorization issued by the prefecture of the department.
Driving License
Our drivers hold the required licenses (D or DE) and are specifically trained to drive road trains.
Passenger Safety
Wagons equipped with lateral protections, safety chains, and automatic braking systems.
Regulated Speed
The speed of tourist petit trains is limited by law to 25 km/h over the entire route.
Mandatory annual inspection
Each tourist train undergoes a mandatory annual technical inspection by an independent body appointed by the prefecture.
Administrative procedures
SFAPA handles all administrative procedures with the competent authorities for circulation on public roads.
Expertise and Maintenance
Safety check on a tourist petit train
SFAPA petit train in operation
SFAPA petit train driver training
Approved SFAPA tourist petit train
petit train nature 3
Our Tourist Little Train Services
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common.faq_title
What regulations apply to tourist mini-trains?
Tourist mini-trains are governed by the decree of January 22, 2015. They must be inspected annually by an independent body appointed by the prefecture.
Is a license required to operate a tourist mini-train?
Yes, the company must be registered as a carrier and obtain an inland transport license for hire or reward.
Who is responsible for obtaining circulation permits?
The steps required to obtain authorization for a mini-train to circulate are the responsibility of the operator.
SFAPA's expertise guarantees tourist train rental in full compliance with the decree of 22 January 2015. For over 45 years, we have been supporting local authorities, event organisers and businesses in their tourist transport projects.
Our vehicles are approved by the mines service and undergo an annual technical inspection by an independent body appointed by the prefecture. SFAPA holds an inland transport licence for hire or reward, with as many certified copies as vehicles in circulation.
Each tourist train in our fleet is approved as a convoy through an initial inspection. We handle all administrative procedures with the competent authorities. Only tourist trains with French type approval may operate on public roads in France — a safety guarantee we strictly uphold.
Our vehicles are approved by the mines service and undergo an annual technical inspection by an independent body appointed by the prefecture. SFAPA holds an inland transport licence for hire or reward, with as many certified copies as vehicles in circulation.
Each tourist train in our fleet is approved as a convoy through an initial inspection. We handle all administrative procedures with the competent authorities. Only tourist trains with French type approval may operate on public roads in France — a safety guarantee we strictly uphold.