Information below on the general rules and regulations of driving in France, valid licences, speed limits, priority and road conditions, using the autoroute, fuel (petrol, diesel and GPL), accidents, driving while intoxicated, registering a foreign car and buying and selling a car. 

The minimum age in France to drive a car or motor bike over 80 CC is 18 years. Drivers must have a valid driving licence. The minimum age to drive a scooter or motor bike under 80 CC is 16 years.

Rules & Regulations

• Drive on the right in France
• It is compulsory to wear a seat belt front and rear (if fitted)
• It is compulsory for all children up to 10 years to travel in the back seat of a car and wear a seat belt or be strapped into a proper child seat. Only adults and children from 10 years may sit in the front passenger seat
• Mobile cellular telephones may not be used while driving except with a "handsfree" system
• It is compulsory to carry a driving licence, car registration papers (Carte Grise) and insurance documents. (Endorsed photocopies of these documents may be carried in place of the originals. Documents can be endorsed at a Mairie)
• Third party insurance is compulsory

By law, a red warning triangle and a high-visibility vest must be carried in vehicles from 1 July 2008, in case of breakdown. The warning triangle should be placed 30 metres ahead of the breakdown, in order to warn approaching traffic. Failure to carry these items in the vehicle is punishable by a fine incurred per item not carried. Be aware that both these items are required by law to be carried in a vehicle travelling in Spain or Italy. Driving with lights on by day is optional.

Licences

International Driving Licences (IDL) accompanied by a valid foreign licence (non-EU or EEA) are accepted in France. But once the licence holder has been resident in the country for one year the licence becomes invalid. If an exchange agreement exists with the issuing country it may be exchanged for a French one during the first year of residency. If there is no exchange agreement the driver must pass a full French driving examination to qualify for a French licence. 

• For details on licence exchanges, see AngloINFO INFOrmation Page: Foreign Driving Licences in France
• For details on getting a licence see AngloINFO INFOrmation Page: French Driving Licences

Loss and theft of paperwork

If a licence is lost or stolen, report it to the police station closest to where it went missing. The police will provide a receipt, which is a temporary permit valid for two months.

Speed Limits, Priority & Road Conditions

Speed limits UNLESS otherwise marked by signs:

• Autoroute (national highway/freeway system/motorway system): 130 Km/h and 110 Km/h when raining
• Expressways: 110 Km/h and 100 Km/h when raining
• Two lane roads or single lane roads separated by an island: 110 Km/h and 100 Km/h when raining
• Regional roads: 90 Km/h and 80 Km/h when raining
• Built up areas (towns and villages): 50 Km/h
• Any time visibility is less than 50m: 50 Km/h

Speed Cameras

• For positions of the fixed and mobile radars and cameras: Click here (in French)
• For an FAQ on how speed detection cameras and the penalty system works: Click here (in French)
• The privately owned website Controle Radar provides this information in English: Click here

Road Conditions

Bison Futé (website in English) is the official French national centre for information on road and traffic conditions.  

• For real-time data on accidents, road closures or other unexpected problems for all areas of France: Click here (in French) or Click here (in English)
• Tel: 0826 022 022 (From outside France: +33 892 687 888)

Right of way/priority

When driving in a city, town or village, the right of way at an intersection is automatically given to the vehicle on the right - la priorité à droite - unless otherwise indicated by stop or yield/give way signs. This applies even in the case of a small side road entering a major main road. The vehicle travelling on the main road must give way to the vehicle entering on the right.

Using the Autoroute in France

The autoroute road system is toll-paying with several companies owning the tolls for a particular region. Autoroutes France (in French) is a portal for all French toll companies. The price of a toll will be shown at the entrance to the gates. Most toll fees can be paid in cash, by credit card or via a subscription with the relevant toll company.

• For a full list of the companies and the areas they manage, with links to their websites: Click here

Fuel: Petrol and Diesel

All fuel stations sell diesel (gazole) and unleaded petrol (essence) in 95 and 98 octane. Many stock autogas/LPG (liquefied petroleum gas, GPL in French). Many fuel stations have automatic pumps for payment by credit card (some are card-operated only). 

• For petrol and diesel price comparisons throughout France: Click here (in French)

Accidents

• For full details see the AngloINFO INFOrmation Page: Road Traffic Accident in France

Drink Driving, DUI and DWI 

A driver is considered to be driving under the influence of alcohol - driving drunk - in France if the blood/alcohol level is equal to or exceeds 0.5 grams per litre (g/l).

• If the blood/alcohol level is between 0.5 g/l and 0.8 g/l the penalty could include a fine and the loss of six points
• If the blood/alcohol level is in excess of 0.8g/l the penalty could include two years in jail, a fine, the confiscation of the vehicle, the suspension of the licence or the loss of six points
• If the blood/alcohol exceeds the legal limit, and a presence of banned narcotics (drugs) is detected, the penalty could include three years in prison and a fine
• If a driver causes an accident while driving drunk, the fine could be dramatically increased
• If a driver causes serious physical harm or commits involuntary manslaughter (a victim dies as a result of the driver's actions), penalties may be a ten-year prison sentence and a fine of up to €150,000
• A driver who refuses to take the breathalyser, may face further penalties.

Note: If a driving infraction has been committed and points need to be removed, a person resident in France using an EU or foreign licence will have to exchange it for a French one (if possible).

Registering a Car

• See the AngloINFO INFOrmation Page: Registering a Foreign Vehicle in France

Buying a Car

The car must be registered at the Préfecture or Sous-Préfecture within 15 days of purchase. Documents required are: 

• Proof of residence (such as a recent electricity bill, no more than 3 months old) 
• Proof of identity 
• The cancelled car registration document (carte grise, barrée) supplied by the seller
• A copy of the certificate of sale (certificat de vente)
• The technical certificate (controle technique) no more than 6 months old 
• Admin certificate (certificat de situation administrative)

Selling a car

The seller of a used car must supply the following to the buyer: 

• Technical certificate (control technique) to prove the car is roadworthy, (several auto centres display a sign saying they do the tests - also called Auto Bilan)
• Certificate of sale (certificat de vente) 
• Admin form (certificat de situation administrative) available from the Préfecture or Sous-Préfecture

The grey vehicle registration card (carte grise) must be "cancelled" by writing "vendu le [date]" and signing; now it is the carte grise barrée. Return the sale certificate to the Prefecture/Sous-Prefecture within 15 days of the sale.

• For full details on buying, selling and registering a used car see the AngloINFO INFOrmation Page: The Carte Grise Vehicle Registration

Parking

Parking more than 24 hours in the same place is forbidden (unless it is a long-term parking facility).

• Parking cards: Pay-parking meters are operated by a parking card which can be bought at a tobacconist (Tabac)
• Parking fines: fines can be paid by cheque or with a timbre which is available from a tobacconist (Tabac). Post the slip with the fine and keep a receipt as proof of payment

• Disabled parking: Cars parked in disabled spaces must display the GIG - GIC blue disabled person's parking badge in the window

Parking in Paris

• Paris residents parking permit: Reduced parking is permitted to residents of an area who have a vignette de stationnement résidentiel, which is available from the local town hall or Mairie

• Pre-booked parking is available with Parkings de Paris which lists all car parks in Paris (over 210), searchable by arrondissement (in English). Parkings de Paris published handbook is available in French, English and German (can be bought online)

Vehicle Tax

Vehicle tax is not required for privately-used cars. Tax is required for commercial vehicles and a tax disc (vignette) must be stuck to the windscreen. 

Further Information

• Ministry of Transport: Up-to-date information on laws, penalties and statistics affecting the road user
• Ministry of Transport FAQ (in French)
• Driving in France (PDF): General information from the Automobile Association (AA) of the UK
• Carte Grise Vehicle Registration
• Controle Technique
• EU Information: Driving in France
• Foreign Driving Licences in France

• French Driving Licences

• Registering a Foreign Vehicle

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