Driving rules and customs
Driving in France can be very relaxing, but make sure you know the rules and regulations before you set off. Traffic patrols are very common, and it is not unknown for them to lie in wait! If you are caught breaking the law, many fines are hefty and payable on the spot - and if you don't have the cash then your vehicle could be impounded.
Roadside enforcement cameras are also very common, often supplemented by portable units which aren't necessarily manned. If you are caught, you will still receive an penalty ticket due to cross-border co-operation.
Also make sure you bring the correct documentation - find out more here.
First things first - as with the rest of Europe, the French drive on the right!
Some critical rules... |
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Minimum
driving age |
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Mobile phones |
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Alcohol |
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Food and drink |
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Smoking |
In car safety... |
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Seatbelts |
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Child seats |
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Children and front seats |
Lights, horns and gadgets... |
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Speed camera
detectors |
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Headlights |
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Horns |
Important rules when driving... |
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Priorité à droite |
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Overtaking |
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Steep hills |
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Pedestrian priority |
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Trams |
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Motorway safety corridor |
Know your speed limits...
These are the default maximum speed limits that apply, unless signage indicates a lower speed limit is in force.
One feature of French roads is two different speed limits may be signposted, the lower limit applying to specific categories of vehicles.
As with all other European countries, speed limits in France are posted in kilometres per hour.
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urban | rural |
expressway |
motorway |
motorcycles | 50 | 80 or 90 | 110 | 130 |
cars | 50 | 80 or 90 | 110 | 130 |
towing vehicles | 50 | 80 | 90 | 90 |
vans over 3.5t | 50 | 80 | 80 | 90 |
trucks over 7.5t | 50 | 60 | 80 | 90 |
buses | 50 | 80 | 90 | 90 |
When raining, the speed limit for cars and motorcycles automatically reduces to 110 km/h on motorways, 90 km/h on expressways and 70 km/h on rural roads.
A blanket speed limit of 50km/h applies when visibility is reduced to less than 50m, due to conditions such as fog, smoke or blizzards.