Linguistic provisions to be implemented by SNCF Réseau and DB Netz

The linguistic provisions that SNCF Réseau and DB Netz have decided to implement for the border sections between France and Germany as a result of the application of Article 26 of the French Order of 06 August 2010.  

As you are aware, in application of Article 26 of the French Order of 06 August 2010 on the certification of train drivers (amended by French Order of 04 July 2016), which transposes the European Directive 2007/59/EC as amended, all train drivers operating on the French national rail network must have obtained level B1 in their French language skills. This principle is also mentioned in § 2.4.1 of the Network Statement for the 2018 timetable.

Until now, on the 8 border sections between France and Germany, in accordance with the corresponding border operational instructions, German has been the language routinely used for communications. An agreement between SNCF Réseau and DB Netz has set up a new language balance:

• on 4 border sections(Sarreguemines – Hanweiler Bad Rilchingen; Wissembourg – Winden; Lauterbourg – Wörth; Strasbourg – Kehl) German will continue to be spoken; and
• on the 4 remaining border sections(Apach – Perl; Bouzonville – Hemmersdorf; Forbach – Saarbrücken Hbf; Bantzenheim – Neuenbourg), French will become the language used for communications between drivers and movements operatives.

The corresponding local operating instructions (CLE) shall be modified accordingly.

In order to guarantee the gradual implementation of this measure, SNCF Réseau has agreed with DB Netz to continue using German until 30 June 2018 (included) on all 8 border sections. After this date, exchanges between the IMs and RUs must take place in the language defined by the 2 IMs for each border section.

For additional clarifications in German please click here: Änderung der Sprachregelung auf den Grenzstrecken zu Frankreich