Driving in France Advice | what are the laws | RAC unit (2023)

With swaths of stunning scenery and vibrant cities to explore, it's no wonder France is such a popular destination for a road trip. But if you're planning a trip, it's critical that you understand how driving in France differs from the UK.

To make your trip to mainland Europe as safe and stress-free as possible, we've prepared a guide with everything you need to know before you leave, from the necessary documents to traffic rules.

To start with, it's a good idea to get the RACEuropean breakdown coveragebefore you go away. This will give you a wide range of benefits if youcollapse in franceto ensure you stay safe. You can get coverage for asingle tripabroad orall year roundif you regularly travel to France.

As with any party, you must havetravel insurancefor your trip to France.

Need insurance for your trip? Ourtemporary car insuranceThe product is perfect if you are looking for flexible and complete coverage between 1 hour and 30 days.

Latest French road regulations

If you drive a car or motorcycle in France, be aware of the latest regulations:

• alcohol limit:For drivers and motorcyclists with less than three years of experience, the alcohol limit is 0.2 grams per liter. If you have more than three years of experience, the limit is 0.5 grams per liter. Both are below the English, Welsh and Northern Irish limit of 0.8 grams per liter (Scottish limit is 0.5).
• Headphones:All drivers and passengers are prohibited from using headphones while driving, whether for music or phone calls. However, this excludes motorcycle helmets that have integrated systems.
• reflective jackets:Passengers must wear reflective jackets in case of a breakdown or emergency.
• Low emission zones:Paris has a low emission zone, which means petrol and diesel cars registered before 1997 are banned from 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday. As of 2020, only vehicles manufactured in 2011 or later are permitted. Diesel and gasoline trucks and buses manufactured before 1997 are also banned in Paris. know more aboutFrench emission standardshere.
• Clean Air Sticker:you need aCrit'Air stickerit is displayed in your car when you travel to certain cities. It costs £3.60 and drivers face a spot fine of almost £120 if they don't have one.
• Speed ​​Limits:HeThe speed limit has been lowered on many A and B roads in France.at 80 km/h (50 mph), in an attempt to save up to 400 lives a year.

in an emergency

Important:As French motorways are privately managed, you cannot ask your own assistance company to take care of you in the event of a breakdown.

In the event of a breakdown, you should use the orange emergency telephones located every 2 km along the main roads and highways to call the police or the official assistance service operating in the area.

Alternatively, if there is no orange telephone available, you should call the emergency services through the number 112.

It will be towed to a designated secure area where, in the case of those with RACEuropean breakdown coverage, it can be received by the chosen fault provider.

Roadside assistance fees are set by the government and are reviewed and revised each year.

Most of the time, the government-appointed towing service that tows you off the highway allows the RAC to pay for it directly; however, it is at the towing company's discretion.

If you are a RAC customer and asked to pay,keep your receipt for the RAC European customer service team to refund you.

The recovery cost is:

• €124.83 for vehicles of 1.8 tonnes or less or €187.25 between 6 pm and 8 am, weekends and public holidays
• €154.36 for vehicles of 3.5t or less or €231.54 between 6 pm and 8 am, weekends and public holidays
• For vehicles over 3.5 t, the cost is at the discretion of the towing service

Visitors must be 18 years or older and have a full and valid driver's license to legally drive in France. Riders of mopeds or motorcycles up to 125cc must be 16 years of age or older.

Driving licenses issued in UK, EU and EEA countries are accepted.International Driving PermitsThey are recognized but not required.

UK vehicles can be temporarily imported into France for up to six months in any 12-month period. To stay on the right side of the law, the following documents should always be carried:

• Full and valid UK driving license
• Proof of identity (passport)
• car insurance certificate
• V5 registration document

Rent a car? you might want to considercar rental excess insurancethe equivalent of £2.99* per day; it might be cheaper than waiting to add it when picking up the car.

*Based on UK residents who purchased a single travel policy to cover 10 days of car hire in Europe

Do I need a GB or UK stamp to drive in France?

From 28 September 2021, the distinctive mark (or national identifier) ​​displayed on UK registered vehicles driven abroad will change from GB to UK.

This means that UK registered vehicles must display the letters "UK" when driven in France.

The identifier can be incorporated into vehicle registration plates (along with the Union Flag) or as a separate sticker. Please note that vehicles with the letters GB together with Council of Europe gold stars are no longer valid for driving abroad.

If your vehicle does not have the UK identifier on the number plate, you will need a UK sticker when driving in France. GB stickers will no longer be valid from the end of September.

Do I need a green insurance card?

As of August 2, 2021, drivers will no longer need the green insurance card to bring their vehicles into France.

ETIAS - November 2023

ETIAS stands for European Travel Information and Authorization System. It is a visa program for visitors who do not need a Schengen visa, who want to travel to the European Union and some other European countries.

Visitors who purchase an ETIAS will be able to enter the 26 member states of the Schengen Zone, as well as Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Romania.

This will be released in November 2023.Learn more about ETIAS here.

French 'clean air' stickers (Crit'Air cartoons)

Now you need a clean air sticker, called a Crit'Air sticker, displayed on your car when you travel to certain cities.

This six-category sticker system is designed to identify the emissions that vehicles produce and are classified according to the Euro emissions standard of your vehicles.

Find out when you need a French Clean Air Sticker and how to buy it.

Other elements

You are required by law to bring the following items:

• reflective jackets– One for each occupant, these must be kept inside the vehicle for easy access
• dangerous triangle– Mandatory on all vehicles with four wheels or more
• headlight deflectors– Depending on your car you will need deflector stickers or you will have to adjust the beam manually
• replacement bulbs– It is recommended, but not mandatory, to bring a spare bulb kit for your vehicle
• snow chains– Drivers within 'snow zones' are legally required to install winter tires and/or snow chains on their vehicles during the winter period from November 1st to March 31st.
• safety helmets– For motorcyclists and their passengers

Afrench driving kitwill have the items you need, so buy one for £20 to avoid hefty fines on the spot.

If you go camping, it might also be worth taking aInternational Camping Cardto give you extra proof of identity, liability insurance, plus discounts at a wide range of campsites and tourist attractions.

Note: Prior to 2020, it was mandatory to carry a breathalyzer kit with at least two disposable test units; In any case, this is no longer the case. It is still recommended to carry one with you while traveling for safety reasons.

Is there anything I shouldn't take with me?

Please note that you cannot bring the following with you into France:

• meat products containing meat
• dairy products

You may not take the following with you unless you pay to have it inspected before you depart and obtain a "phytosanitary certificate":

• fresh fruit (in addition to bananas, coconuts, dates, pineapples, and durians)
• vegetables
• plants
• plant products

overtaking and overtaking

As a general rule, drive on the right, overtake on the left. However, when traffic is in lanes, vehicles may overtake other vehicles in slower lanes on the right.

On steep slopes, descending vehicles must give way to ascending vehicles.

Normally, only moving trams can overtake on the right; Left is allowed on one-way streets if there is not enough room on the right.

Who has priority?

At intersections, you must yield to vehicles approaching from your right, unless otherwise signaled.

Drivers approaching a roundabout must yield to traffic already on the roundabout.

You must also yield to emergency vehicles with flashing lights and sirens.

approach warning

Horns may only be used to give the necessary warning to other road users.

Between sunset and sunrise, warning must be given by flashing the low beams. The horn can only be used in cases of absolute necessity.

In all urban areas, the use of the horn is prohibited, except in cases of immediate danger.

The use of horns, sirens and multi-tone whistles is prohibited.

towing in France

With a normal driving licence, motorists can tow a trailer with a maximum authorized mass of 750 kg, including the trailer and its load.

It is not permitted to tow a motor vehicle, except in the event of a breakdown or accident and if the distance to be covered is short. This practice is prohibited on highways where the assistance of a rescue vehicle must be requested.

It is forbidden to transport people in a moving vehicle.caravan.

French seat belt law

If your car has seat belts, both the driver and passengers must wear them. It is the driver's responsibility to ensure that all passengers under the age of 18 are properly secured in the car.

The fine for not wearing a seatbelt is set at €135, reduced to €90 if paid within 15 days.

Can I use headphones in the car while driving in France?

As of March 2017, it is illegal to drive in France with headphones or headphones. Make sure you remove your headphones when crossing the Canal, otherwise you could be fined on the spot.

traffic lights

France uses the international three-color traffic light system. However, there is no amber light after the red light.

A flashing amber light indicates caution, slow down or go straight ahead, but yield to vehicles coming from the right.

A flashing red light indicates no entry. It may also indicate a level crossing or an exit used by emergency vehicles.

If a red traffic light is accompanied by a yellow arrow, you can go in the direction indicated by the arrow, as long as you give way to vehicles circulating in that direction, as well as to pedestrians.

France uses the metric system for all road signs, which means that speed limits and other road signs, including distance, are indicated using kilometers and meters.

Speed ​​limits are reduced during rain and other bad weather conditions, while special speed restrictions apply to certain vehicle classes, including buses and cars with trailers, so check before you travel.

There is a minimum speed limit of 80 km/h on motorways for vehicles traveling in the outer lane.

The following national speed limits apply:

• EU driving license holders who exceed the speed limit by more than 40 km/h will have their licenses confiscated on the spot by the police.
• French law prohibits drivers from wearing devices capable of detecting speed cameras and alerting drivers to their location.
• Penalties can include fines of up to €1,500 and confiscation of the device and vehicle.
• This has recently been expanded to include GPS-based systems capable of displaying fixed camera locations as points of interest.
• HeThe speed limit has been lowered on many A and B roads in France.at 80 km/h (50 mph), in an attempt to save up to 400 lives a year. This took effect from July 1, 2018.

Speed ​​limits for caravans/trailers

The maximum speed of a car towing a caravan or trailer depends on its total weight:

If the weight of the trailer is greater than that of the car, the speed limits are reduced as follows:

• If the allowance is less than 30%: 65 km/h
• If the allowance is greater than 30%: 45 km/h

In these cases, a disk indicating the maximum speed must be attached to the rear of the caravans/trailers. They cannot be driven in the fast lane of a 3 lane highway.

Speed ​​limits for motorhomes/minibuses

The maximum speed of a motorhome, minibus or any other vehicle intended exclusively for the transport of people also depends on its total weight:

The standard fine for breaking the speed limit in France is €135, with points added to your license depending on how much you exceed the limit.

EU driving license holders who exceed the speed limit by more than 40 km/h will have their licenses confiscated on the spot by the police.

Traffic camera detectors in France

French law prohibits drivers from wearing devices capable of detecting speed cameras and alerting drivers to their location. In France, you can have to pay a huge fine of €1,500 if caught.

know more abouttraffic violations in europe here.

Drivers are responsible for ensuring that all passengers under the age of 18 wear a seat belt or proper restraint system.

Car seats for children in France

Children under 10 years of age may not ride in the front seats of vehicles without using a special child restraint system, unless there is no rear seat, the rear seat is already occupied by children under 10 years of age, or there are no Safety belt.

Children up to 10 years old must travel in an approved child seat or restraint system, adapted to their age and size. European regulations classify child restraint systems into five different groups according to the weight of the child:

Taxis are exempt, but other vehicles are fined if a child is not restrained.

Bicycle helmet law in France

Children under 12 years old must wear a helmet when riding a bicycle, both alone and as a passenger.

The parent or guardian faces a fine of €90 for violating this law.

Motorhomes cannot exceed 12 meters in length and 2.55 meters in width. There are no height restrictions.

Cars with caravans cannot exceed 18.75 meters in combined length and 2.55 meters in width. There are no height restrictions.

Loads on two-axle vehicles must not exceed 19 tonnes. While weights on single axles should not exceed 12 tons.

If the weight of a caravan exceeds that of the towing vehicle, special speed limits apply:

• if the excess is less than 30%: 65 km/h
• if the allowance is greater than 30%: 45 km/h

It is illegal to tow another motor vehicle, except in the event of a breakdown or accident and the distance to be covered is short.

Note: The Department for Transport advises that A-frames are not legal for use in UK motorhomes and caravans abroad. In practice, this could mean towing the car while it is attached to a trailer.**

non-local fines

Visiting drivers should be advised that some French law enforcement authorities are authorized to impose and collect on-the-spot fines of up to €750 from drivers who violate traffic rules.

If the offense committed is not likely to result in license suspension or arrest, the driver may pay a reduced fine within three days. If you want to contest the ticket, you must request a court hearing within 30 days.

If the offense committed is serious and could lead to a large fine and the suspension of the driver's license or imprisonment, the driver who does not reside in France and does not have a job in France must deposit a guarantee.

The police may hold your vehicle until payment is made. This payment can be in euros, by check drawn on a French bank or by traveler's cheques.

Minimum and maximum fines in France

Standard fines are classified into four categories depending on the seriousness of the infringement, ranging from €11 to €750. They can be reduced if payment is made within 15 days (in the case of postal payments, three days if paid in person) or increased if payment is not made within 45 days.

vehicle confiscation

In some cases, instead of (or in addition to) a fine or imprisonment, the vehicle may be impounded. The main crimes to which it can apply are:

• Exceeding the speed limit by more than 50 km/h
• Repeated offense for driving under the influence of alcohol (0.40 mg per liter of breath)
• hit and run
• Refusal to stop when asked
• drive without a license
• Driving a vehicle with a license category other than a category that does not cover that vehicle
• drive without insurance

Any of the above cases can cause the vehicle to become the property of the French government.

The EU Cross-Border Enforcement Directive

An EU cross-border directive came into force in the UK in May 2017. Its aim is to track people who commit traffic offenses in cars registered in an EU member state other than where the offense occurred.

This means that if you commit a driving offense abroad, the offense will follow you back home to the UK where you could still be prosecuted.

Learn more aboutLesser known aspects of driving in France.

parking regulations

Stopping and parking is only permitted on the right side of two-lane roads; on one-way streets, you are allowed to stop and park on both sides if the street is wide enough.

Restrictions and limitations are indicated by road signs or by yellow lines on the curb. A solid yellow line indicates that stopping and parking is prohibited. A dashed yellow line indicates that parking is prohibited.

paid parking

Traffic signs indicate areas where parking is restricted and must be paid for, either on parking meters or on automatic ticketing machines that indicate paid parking time.

Some machines accept 'parking a la carte' debit/credit cards.

parking inspection

Vehicles parked illegally can be towed and seized, even if they have foreign registration. The owner is responsible for the impound cost and for every 24 hours the vehicle is held.

In Paris and some other big cities, illegally parked vehicles are immobilized with wheel clamps. The driver will have to go to the local police station and pay a fine for nuisance or dangerous parking, as well as a fine for releasing the vehicle.

Disabled parking

There are spaces reserved for the disabled. In Paris, free parking is allowed where a fee is normally paid.

In principle, the disabled card allows its holder to park his vehicle in a designated place. This does not mean that you can park for free in a paid area.

In general, a disabled driver can park without a time limit on roads where parking is free but time limited.

Responsibility for parking concessions generally rests with local authorities, but police should show consideration for disabled parking as long as it does not cause obstruction.

legal limit

The legal maximum blood alcohol level for drivers of private vehicles is 0.05% blood alcohol. This is less than 0.08% in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, but the same as in Scotland.

For bus and coach drivers, as well as newly licensed drivers with less than three years of experience, the limit is 0.02%.

random breath tests

The police have the power to conduct random breathalyzer tests. The test is mandatory after an accident that has caused injuries or when the driver has committed a serious traffic violation.

A driver involved in an accident or who has committed a traffic violation, such as speeding or not wearing a seat belt, must undergo a drug test.

Police use saliva or urine tests to detect drivers under the influence of drugs. If the test is positive, a blood test follows.

French motorways are operated by a variety of private companies, most with tolls.

Tolls can be paid in cash or by Mastercard or Visa (Maestro and Electron debit cards are not accepted).

french service areas

There are three main types of service areas in France.

Siding:parking
Rest zone:with toilets, drinking water, picnic area and playground
Service area:open 24 hours with gas station, restaurants and shops

fuel availability

Unleaded gasoline, diesel fuel and lubricating oil are readily available throughout France.

SP95-E10 fuel is available, containing up to 10% ethanol and 90% 95 unleaded gasoline. This fuel can be used in 60% of gasoline cars, mainly the latest models.

Now there are many automatic gas pumps that work with a credit or debit card. There is also a growing network of electric charging points.

Fuel prices in France can be found in our up-to-dateeuropean fuel pricespage.

How do I pay for fuel in France?

Credit cards are generally accepted at gas stations.

Now there are many automatic gas pumps that work with credit or debit cards. However, cards issued abroad are not always accepted by these gas stations.

Frequently asked questions about driving in France

UK government travel advice

View up-to-date travel advice

If you're thinking about driving in the UK, get peace of mind at home or on the road with RACbreakdown coveragehoy.

*Price for 1 day coverage for up to 9 people traveling in a vehicle for up to 1 year in Zone 1.
RAC European Breakdown cover arranged and administered by RAC Financial Services Limited (Reg. No. 05171817) and provided by RAC Insurance Ltd (Reg. No. 2355834). registered in England; Registered Offices: RAC House, Brockhurst Crescent, Walsall WS5 4AW. RAC Financial Services Limited is authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in relation to insurance brokerage activities. RAC Insurance Ltd is authorized by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.

Source: The information in this document comes from the AIT (Alliance Internationale de Tourisme) and the FIA ​​(Federation Internationale de l'Automobile) and, to the best of RAC's knowledge, is correct at the time of publication (November 2020) .

** https://www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk/helpandadvice/travelplanning/eurotraveladvice/europeancampingguide/page5/