Rules & Driving Tips
Here are some rules and driving tips that you should know before you start your road trip in France:
Normal driving is on the right, with passing and overtaking on the left. Where there are designated traffic lanes, vehicles may ‘overtake’ traffic on the right occupying slow-moving lanes. On steep hills in France, uphill traffic has priority - downhill traffic must give way.
A great tip to know when driving in France is at all intersections, priority must be given to traffic approaching from the right, unless there are road signs indicating otherwise.
Always give way to police and other emergency vehicles.
Horns must only be used where there is immediate danger. During the hours of darkness, warnings should be given by flashing lights instead.
The Drink Driving maximum limit in France is 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood if you have had a licence for over 3 years, this is reduced for new drivers. Police are allowed to make random breath tests.
Reduced speed limits also apply for new drivers, and drivers under the age of 21.
Speed camera detectors, including onboard sat nav features, are illegal in France - so download the latest sat nav maps for France to avoid this problem.
On motorways, only the official breakdown service may be used – make contact via orange emergency phones. A local firm will tow you to a recovery zone and only then can you contact your cover provider.
Don’t park on a single yellow line. In France this means that both parking and stopping are forbidden, and parking will get you a fine and your car could be towed away.
It is illegal to allow passengers to travel inside a moving caravan.
Child passengers under 10 must use an approved child restraint. In France, the type of restraint specified depends on the weight of the child.
All drivers and riders are prohibited from wearing headsets and headphones whilst driving, be it for music purposes or for phone calls. However, this does exclude motorcycle helmets that have integrated systems.
Paris has a low emission zone so it is worth checking the details of this before entering.
Speed Limits
Here are the speed limits to abide by when driving in France in dry weather:
Rural 2 & 3 lane roads are a maximum of 80 km/h
4 lane expressways are a maximum of 110 km/h
Highways are a maximum of 130 km/h in rural area
There is a maximum of 50 km/h in urban areas
These limits are then adjusted when raining to 80 km/h, 100 km/h & 110 km/h and all roads reduced to 50 km/h when visibility is under 50 metres. It is also worth noting that the Paris Ring Road has a limit of 80 km/h.
Things to Bring Along
The following documents should be carried at all times, when driving in France:
Proof of ID – usually a passport
Proof of Insurance
The V5C document as proof of ownership or a Vehicle on Hire Certificate
A current, full UK driving licence – driver must be at least 18 years old in France
Your car will need a UK Sticker
Certain cities require you to display a clean air sticker, known as a Crit'Air Sticker - more information can be found here.
From 2025 you will need a European Travel Information & Authorisation System (ETIAS) Visa. More information can be found at ETIAS.com.
The law specifies that vehicles must also carry the following items of equipment:
A red warning triangle.
A high-visibility reflective jacket for all occupants.
Headlamp adjusters.
Recommened to carry a spare bulb kit.
Drivers within 'snow zones' are legally required to fit winter tyres and/or snow chains to their vehicle during the winter period from November 1st to March 31st