Driving in France

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Driving in France

The minimum age in France to drive a car is 18 years. Drivers must have a valid driving licence and be 18 years or older. The minimum ages to ride varying sizes of scooters or motor bikes vary, beginning with mopeds (cyclomoteurs) of under 50cc where it is 14 years subject to the conditions outlined on this INFOrmation Page: French Driving Licences.

Rules and Regulations

• Drive on the right in France
• It is compulsory to wear a seat belt front and rear (if fitted)
• Children under 10 years of age must travel in the back seat of a car (if there are back seats), unless there are no seatbelts in the back or if there is no room on the back seat because it's already utilised by other children under 10. Children under 10 must wear a seat belt adapted for children or be strapped into a proper child seat. If a car seat is used in the front seat, it must be forward-facing unless the passenger-side airbag has been turned off
• 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 and insurance documents. These must be the original documents; keep copies separately
• Third party insurance is compulsory
• Driving with lights on by day is optional
• The driver must not have a TV, videogame, DVD or similar within his view
• The possession, transport and use of speed-camera alert systems, which notify drivers of speed camera locations, is forbidden. This includes satellite navigation systems (SAT NAV, also known as GPS) and Smartphones with this function. The software on these devices must be updated to replace the speed-camera alert function with a “dangerous zones” alert function. This updated function will display bridges, tunnels, schools, hospitals, and traffic problems
• As of 1 July 2012 it is obligatory to carry a breathalyser kit in the car

Warning triangle and safety jacket

By law, one red warning triangle and one high-visibility waistcoat/vest must be carried in a vehicle. In the event of breakdown the driver must put on the safety jacket before leaving the vehicle, and then place the warning triangle 30 metres from the breakdown to warn approaching traffic. Failure to carry these items in the vehicle is punishable by a fine incurred per item not carried.

• The triangle must conform to EU standards, evidence for which is the stamp E 27 R
• The high-visibility garment must conform to EU standards EN 471 or EN 1150, in order to conform with European Directive 89/686/EEC
• Further information from Sécurité routière: Click here (in French)

Pedestrians

Pedestrians have priority over cars when crossing a road, provided that they display a clear intention to cross (a step forward or hand gesture). If a designated pedestrian crossing is less than 50 metres away, the rule does not apply. Drivers not yielding to pedestrians could lose four points from their licence and incur a fine.

• For more information from Service Public: Click here (in French)

Bicycles

Bicycles are allowed to turn right on a red light, if signage indicates it is allowed. Cyclists may travel against the traffic on one-way roads in zones where the speed is limited to 30 Km/h, unless there is a sign indicating it is not allowed.

• For more information on the rules regarding turning right on a red light: Click here (in French)
• For information on biking against the traffic: Click here (in French)

Hitch-hiking

Hitch-hiking is common in France, both on minor and major roads including the motorways. Hitch-hikers can often be seen by the side of the road, or at péages. There is also an organisation called Allostop which puts hitch-hikers in touch with drivers who pay a minimal fee.

• For further information: Click here

Speed Limits, Tolls and 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. Many sections of the French national road network have reduced speed limits to 90 or 110 Km/h) to reduce pollution. These areas are clearly marked with speed limit signs
• 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

Note: Speed limits in the Alpes-Maritimes (06) is 110 Km/h on the motorway (A8).

French Roads

The major roads in France are generally in good condition, especially the motorways, or autoroutes, for which motorists pay to use via the péage, or toll, system. It is usual to have to pay at regular intervals along the route.

There are roads maps to cover ever area of France, the main ones being Michelin and IGN. Other route finding services include Mappy and Via Michelin.

Road signs

• For  complete list of all the road signs in France and what they mean: Click here (PDF in French)

Using the Autoroute in France

Autoroutes signs are shown with the letter A. Routes Nationales are marked with the letters N or RN, and are major roads for which there are no charges. Routes Départementales, marked with the letter D, are smaller country roads.

The autoroute road system is toll-paying with several companies owning the tolls for a particular region. Autoroutes France 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 more information on the péage charges, where to find service stations and details of hotels along the way, visit the Autoroutes France website.

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

Speed Cameras

The French Government website Sécurité Routière provides information on road security and laws, but no longer provides information on the placement of fixed speed monitoring radars.

• To learn more about the law regarding speed cameras: Click here (in French)

• For FAQs on how speed detection cameras and the penalty system works: Click here (in French)
• For information from privately owned website Controle Radar about speeding penalties: Click here

Warning signs may be placed between one and two kilometres from the first radar, instead of the traditional distance of 400m. Several fixed and mobile speed cameras may be located within this zone.

• For more information: Click here (in French)

Road Conditions and Travel Updates

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: 0800 100 200

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)

Drink Driving, DUI and DWI

A driver is considered to be driving under the influence of alcohol/driving while intoxicated/ 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, loss of six points or suspension of the licence.
• If the blood/alcohol level is in excess of 0.8g/l the penalty could include two to four 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 two years in prison, suspension of the licence 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.
• For detailed information: Click here (PDF in French)

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).

As of 1 July 2012 it is obligatory to carry a breathalyser kit in the car.

• For more information: Click here (in French)

Parking in France

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

Parking for the disabled

Cars parked in spaces marked for people with disabilities must display the EU parking badge in the window. The EU parking card is a standardised European Community disabled person's parking permit which provides parking entitlements to badge holders in all complying European countries - a card issued in one country is valid in another.

• Spaces in car parks reserved for people with disabilities are marked with a wheelchair symbol
• Parking on roads is generally not free of charge for disabled drivers (except in Paris and a few other cities)
• In many areas, drivers with disabilities may park without time restrictions on roads where parking is free but has parking time limits
• Further information from the EU: Click here
• For information on how to obtain a parking card for disabled: Click here (in French)

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, searchable by arrondissement (in English). Parkings de Paris published handbook is available in French, English and German (can be bought online)