Driving in a European country can be stressful, especially if you are unfamiliar with their language or driving rules. There isn’t much difference when driving through France from the U.S., Canada, or other European countries (except the U.K.). But there are specific traffic laws you should know before you embark on a road trip to France. Whether you want to explore France’s hidden spectacles and beautiful places or simply get from one destination to the other, you need to know the main rules in this guide for driving in France.
Who can drive in France?
Before hopping behind the wheel, you should be aware that France has specific driving requirements and documents you must possess to drive legally in France.
You must have a valid Driver’s Licence. Unless you have a France driving licence, the driving age in France is at least 18 years old to hold a valid driving licence to drive in France legally. Although student/underage drivers with a permit or an adult are not allowed to drive, they may be permitted to drive a motorbike or scooter.
If you are driving your own vehicle, a current registration, proof of ownership/purchase, and a valid driver’s licence must be with you at all times. A valid passport is also required for the driver and other people in the vehicle.
When you rent a car in France, crosscheck if Valid Car Insurance has been added to your contract/agreement and is up to date. Suppose you are towing anything behind your vehicle while traveling to France. In that case, you should have all the proper licensing documents from the original country. It may be a sticker on the licence plate from your country which matches the plate on your car.
General road rules in France
France is a popular destination for the holidays. So if you have a road trip planned, it’s best to have a good knowledge of France driving laws or Portugal’s driving guide. If you’re an American driving in France, here are a few adjustments you will need to make before renting a car in France or even Renting a car in Madeira.
- Except a collision is likely, do not use the car horn in a French city.
- Driving with headphones or earpieces is illegal.
- When the traffic lights turn red, do not make a right turn. Instead, wait until the light turns green before turning right, no matter how clear the road is.
- France has a unique priority right rule (priorité à droite). This rule states that the vehicle to your right has the right-of-way. However, at roundabouts, cars to your left have the right-of-way. An exception is if there is a stop sign, a solid white line, or a traffic light at the intersection.
- The priority right rule is hardly ever applied. Nevertheless, it is worth knowing when driving through historic city centers and rural areas to avoid fines or accidents.
- In France, drivers must carry a self-test breathalyzer kit in their car that is in line with French safety N.F. standards. In addition, a reflective triangle and vest are required should there be breakdowns or other emergencies.
- Every person in a vehicle must have seat belts on. Children below ten years must travel in the backseat until they are old enough to use a seat belt, except if the vehicle is a two-seater.
- France’s drunk driving laws are stricter than U.S. or U.K. The limit is 50 mg of alcohol in 100 ml of blood. But drivers with a licence below three years are limited to 20 mg/100 ml blood-alcohol level. Drivers who go over the limit (between 50 mg and 80 mg) will get a fine €135 (£112) and lose their licence.
The speed limits and fines
Different roads in France have varying speed limits. Drivers who have held a driver’s licence for three years or more and young drivers (Jeune conducteur) are subject to different speed limits.
France motorways have a speed limit of 130 km/hr., 110 km/h in the rain, and 50 km/h in fog when visibility is low. For dual carriageways (divided highways), the speed limit is 130 km/h/ 70 mph and 110 km/h for new drivers. Roads in city centers and near schools have a sign and have a limit of 30 km/h.
The speed limit for main roads outside built-up areas is 80 km/hr., while the speed limit for roads in built-up areas and roads within city limits is 50 km/h, even for new drivers. Roads divided into two lanes by one central median have a speed limit of 110 km/h and 100 km/h for new drivers.
Roads with at least two lanes assigned in the same direction of traffic have a speed limit of 90 km/h and 80 km/h for new drivers. The speed limit for roads having two directions with no central separator is 80m/h, but the local traffic authority may permit drivers (except new drivers) to drive at 90 km/h.
France has speed cameras that enforce speed limits, and using radar-warning devices to track the map location of speed cameras is illegal in France.
If you are caught speeding, a speed camera or the Gendarmerie will register your offense, remove points from your licence, incur a fine or have your licence confiscated. If you travel over:
- 20 km/h, you lose 1 point and incur a fine of €135.
- 20–30 km/h, you get 2 points off, and the penalty is €150.
- 30–40 km/h over, you lose 3 points and get a fine of €450.
- 40–50 km/h over, that’s 4 points off and a fine of €750.
- 50 km/h, you lose 6 points and your licence, and the fine is €1,500.
Roads in France
There are four types of roads in France. Understanding the different types of roads and their signs greatly impacts safety, enjoyment, comfort, and ease when driving.
- Autoroutes: these red and yellow roads (‘A’) are referred to as motorways or interstates in other countries. It’s illegal for cyclists to use these roads, so they must avoid them at all costs.
- National routes: marked with “N” for National Strategic Truck Routes. These red or red and white roads are large, fast, and dangerous for cyclists. They are good alternatives if you want to avoid paying the tolls at Autoroutes and toll roads. They take longer than the motorways.
- Yellow departmental roads: roads marked ‘D’ are county (Departmental) roads. They are larger, faster, and busier than smaller roads. However, they are fine for bicycles and range from local and former national routes. There should be new street numbers in such a case, so have a current map when driving.
- White departmental roads: these are the smallest roads and are often traffic-free, usually in rural and remote areas. These roads link villages and small towns; if you hate traffic, these roads are your best option.
Generally, road numbers in Europe are white on a green background, but French road numbers are white on a red background. Several numbers on a road sign can be confusing but both will be outlined, especially on roads leading from France to another European country.
Parking rules
France has very tight parking spaces on the streets and parking garages, making it difficult for vehicles to park. Public parking spaces have a large blue ‘P’ on them and are indicated on some streets and surface parking lots by white lines.
As a general rule, drivers can pay for parking spaces on the streets from Monday to Saturday, 9 am to 8 pm (9:00-20:00). At night, on Sundays, bank holidays, and National holidays, parking is free on some streets. A yellow sticker on the parking meter indicates it.
Parking lots in the smallest towns and villages or outside the town or city center may be free (gratuit) or paid. You can put your licence plate number in small machines (horodateurs) close by when you need to pay. Thereafter, you use a card, change, or telephone to pay and keep the ticket on your dashboard.
Parking on streets is usually limited to two to six hours maximum, depending on the location and the city. You may pay approximately €2 to €6 per hour for parking in the city center and €4/hour further out. You will find parking garages underground in cities, with entrances at street level or below.
Road tolls
The major highways in France (autoroutes) outside the city limits are toll. On maps or GPS, the signs appear with the letter ‘A’ before the motorway number, e.g., A3 or A6.
As you enter the toll motorway, pick up a ticket from a machine and pay at the exit with your debit or credit card. Since different companies operate main roads, tolls are expensive, and you can expect to pay between €12 and €25. Usually, you pay the toll (péage) by the kilometer.
Fuel costs
The volume of gasoline in France is in liters, not gallons, approximately 3.8 liters per gallon. As a result, the prices have fluctuated throughout the year, reaching an all-time high of €2.15. In November 2022, fuel prices increased to €1.805/gallon for the premium 98 unleaded gas, €1.855/gallon for diesel, and €0.896/gallon for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
So before renting a car from any car rental in Paris France airport, consider the fuel cost.
Tips on driving in France
You should know a few unwritten tips, especially if you’re driving in France as an American. Basically, driving in France is relatively straightforward.
- Only use your right turn signal to indicate you are exiting a roundabout
- The driving side in France is on the right. French drivers stay on the right-hand when driving on highways. After passing, they don’t lag in the left lane but switch back quickly to the right-hand lane.
- Beware of drivers who give way to traffic moving towards a roundabout and dart out onto the middle of a roundabout without warning.
- Traffic lights are not overhead in the middle of an intersection but on the right side of the road.
- In France, drivers use blinders to indicate an inevitable maneuver.
- The solid white lines at an intersection indicate a stop in the absence of a stop sign.
- Road signs indicate the next town instead of a road number (D-76) or direction. The signs list nearby villages and the closest major cities along the route.
- Major highways with signs with blue backgrounds and a white letter ‘A’ for autoroute are most often exclusively toll roads or péages outside city limits.
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