Driving in France: Your Ultimate Guide

If you are planning on driving in France this summer, you are not the only one. Each year, millions of Brits visit France to enjoy its breathtaking landscapes and bustling urban hubs.

For centuries France has captured the hearts of travellers seeking freedom, inspiration and adventure.

Before setting off on a road trip to this picturesque and popular holiday destination, make sure that you are aware of the rules and regulations.

To ensure your trip is not only thrilling but safe and stress-free, we've compiled an extensive guide – delving into the key pieces of information you will need.

From essential documents to intricate road regulations.

Preliminary Preparations

Before setting off on your French adventure, there are some important things to do:

1. Temporary Car Insurance: In France 3rd party cover is required by law. Make sure to invest in temporary car insurance for comprehensive coverage during your journey, whether for a brief hour-long drive or an extended 30-day road trip.
   
   
2. European Breakdown Cover: Taking out some form of European Breakdown Cover from a trusted provider is a good idea, although not a legal obligation.
   
   This will provide you with an array of benefits should your car breakdown in France. It will help to ensure your safety and piece of mind.

French Road Regulations

Before Driving in France, read up and learn the latest road regulations:

• Alcohol Tolerance: Be mindful of alcohol limits. For drivers with under three years' experience, the permissible alcohol level is 0.2 grams per litre. If you're a seasoned driver, the limit is 0.5 grams per litre, both lower than the 0.8 grams per litre limit in England.
  
  
• Headphone Prohibition: Driving with headsets or headphones is strictly prohibited, including both music and phone calls. An exception lies in motorcycle helmets equipped with integrated systems.
  
  
• Reflective Jackets: Motorcyclists must possess reflective jackets for emergency situations or breakdowns, ensuring their visibility and safety.
  
  
• Emission Zones: Paris (and an increasing number of French cities) boasts a Low Emission Zone, restricting entry for older vehicles. Obtain a Crit'Air sticker at £3.60 to evade fines and penalties. This can be purchased online. Make sure to order early, as it can take up to 3 weeks to be delivered.
  
  
• Modified Speed Limits: On numerous A and B roads, speed limits have been revised to 80km/h (50mph), a measure aimed at enhancing road safety.

Items for Your Vehicle: Stay Compliant

When driving in France, specific items must be at hand within your vehicle:

• Reflective jackets, equal to the number of occupants, should be easily accessible.
  
  
• A warning triangle is mandatory for vehicles with four wheels or more, aiding in emergencies.
  
  
• Ensure your car is equipped with headlamp beam deflectors or stickers, or manually adjustable beams.
  
  
• Carrying spare bulbs is recommended, although not obligatory, for unforeseen situations.
  
  
• Snow chains are important if driving within designated snow zones, fostering traction during winter months.
  
  
• A breathalyser kit: although no longer mandatory is still a good idea to have in the car.
  
  
• Motorcycle riders and their passengers necessitate safety helmets.
  

Valid Licences and Necessary Documents in France

Drivers above 18 with a valid driving licence from the UK, EU, or EEA countries can legally drive in France.

Keep essential documents on your when you are driving. These include:

• Driving licence
  
  
• ID
  
  
• Motor insurance certificate
  
  
• V5 registration document

Make sure these are all within easy reach.

French Tyre Regulations

The good news is that many of the same rules and regulations that you adhere to as part of UK tyre law are the same in France. 

Tyres are required to have a minimum of 1.6mm of tread depth across 75% of the central section of the tyre.

For a tyre to be legally fit for use, the entire circumference of the tyre must adhere to this rule.

Your car tyres must also be in good working order. It must not have any of the following:

• Any lumps or bulges (potentially caused by structural damage).
   
• A cut or tear larger than 25mm or 10% of the width of the tyre and which is deep enough to reach the ply or cord.
   
• Any part of the ply or cord exposed.

This is the same regardless of your vehicle. Be it EV tyres, 4x4 tyres or car tyres.

GB/UK Sticker and Insurance

Since September 2021, vehicles registered in the UK must display "UK" as the distinguishing mark when in France.

This is a change from the old GB sticker that was once required. Make sure you have the correct country markings.

While an insurance green card isn't mandatory any longer - valid vehicle insurance, including third-party insurance, is obligatory.

What to do in an Emergency on a French Motorway

Emergency telephones are stationed at 2km intervals along motorways to offer quick assistance.

If you are unable to reach one of these orange phones, the safest thing to do is dial 112 to contact the emergency services. The operator should be able to communicate in English or French.

As most motorways are privately owned, the emergency services will send help to you directly and arrange for your car to be towed to safety.

Car Accident in France

In the event of a minor road traffic accident in France, it is advisable to take the following steps:

1. Safely move your vehicles to a secure location.
    
2. Put on your hi-vis safety vest once you are outside your vehicle.
    
3. Set up your red warning triangle 30 meters behind the vehicles, if conditions permit, to alert approaching traffic to your position.
    
4. If the collision involves two cars, you might be asked to complete a "Constat Amiable D’Accident Automobile" (Friendly Accident Report - also known as a European Accident Statement) together with the other driver. This document outlines a brief account of the circumstances, enabling insurance providers to establish liability and necessary compensation.
   
   The report should encompass written and visual descriptions of the incident. However, refrain from signing the form if you don't comprehend its content or disagree with the other driver's narrative. The document holds significance and could be used as evidence.
    
5. In situations involving more than two vehicles, each French driver will individually complete a "constat amiable."
    
6. Jot down the registration number of the other vehicle involved and collect contact information from any witnesses.
    
7. If both drivers agree that no-one requires medical attention, and that the cars are safe to carry on driving, once you have completed the form you are free to carry on your journey.

Please note: this list is for a minor accident. If the crash is of a more serious nature, you are required by law to contact the emergency services and wait for the police to arrive.

What is the Constat Amiable D’Accident Automobile?

The Constat Amiable D’Accident Automobile form consists of two sections, one for each driver to complete.

You should review the details, including registration numbers, and ensure accurate boxes are checked.

Should a disagreement arise regarding the cause of the collision, it's crucial not to inadvertently agree with the other driver's interpretation.

Filling out this form accurately is essential. Altering the form afterward can lead to complications due to the legal nature of the "constat."

It is a good idea to keep a blank accident report in your vehicle – with your personal details already filled out. This makes the competition of the report quick and easy should you require it.

An English version of the document can be obtained.

French Road Etiquette

Although the general rules of the road do not differ too greatly from our own, there are some key points that you should be aware of.

Perhaps key being that you drive on the right side of the road. As part of this, remember that you will need to overtake on the left, granting right of way to vehicles approaching from the right.

When at intersections, you need to yield to vehicles approaching from your right, unless otherwise indicated.

At roundabouts, the vehicles that are already on the roundabout have priority over those entering.

As with the UK, yield to emergency vehicles with flashing lights and sounding alarms - do so quickly, but safely.

Make sure that you avoid unnecessary horn usage in built-up areas – such as towns and cities. Only use your horn in built up areas at night in an emergency.

It is very important that you respect speed limits, especially the adjusted limits on A and B roads, is paramount.

Pay attention to the change in speed limits when the weather changes too – this is mostly the case on motorways, where the speed limit is lower in heavy rain.

French Speed Limits and Consequences

Depending on the type of road you are driving on in France, you will come across a range of different speed limits.

Even on similar types of roads, throughout the country you will likely encouter variable limits. 

As a general rule of thumb the following table lays out the limits (however, please note this is for reference only and you should adhere to any signs detailing the speed limit when you are driving).

To avoid any fines and to follow the laws of the country, make sure you stick within the speed limits.

If you do not you could face some of the following punishments:

• Fines for speeding range from €11 to €750, depending upon the extent of the violation.
• Severe infractions can result in vehicle confiscation.
  
• Surpassing the speed limit by over 40 km/h can lead to immediate licence confiscation.

It is also worth noting that the use of speed camera detectors is strictly prohibited. Do not use one.

If your vehicle has this feature installed on the in-vehicle sat nav, disable this before you begin driving.

Camper Vans and Caravans in France

If you are visiting France with your beloved camper vans or towing a caravan there are certain rules you must be aware of.

• Camper vans have size limitations – you are not allowed to drive one which is over 12 metres long and 2.55 metres in wide.
  
  
• Vehicles towing trailers are subjected to specific speed limits based on weight.
  
  
• When towing a trailer, there is a standard maximum mass of 750kg. This includes the trailer and the cargo.
  
  
• Note that A-frames, devices used to tow cars behind camper vans, are not legal for UK campers in France.

Parking in France

Parking regulations vary, often signalled by signs and road markings.

Paid parking zones are widespread in urban areas, providing designated spaces for vehicles.

Fuel Availability in France

Fuel options are abundant, encompassing unleaded petrol, diesel, and lubricating oil. Electric charging points are on the rise, catering to eco-conscious travellers.

There has been a rise in recent years in the number of petrol station pumps which allow drivers to pay at the pump with a card.

However, would be wide to ensure that you always have alternative payment methods on you, in case your card encounters issues.

Alcohol Limits in France

Be aware of alcohol limits when driving (ideally, just don't drive at all if you have consumed alcohol) and the possibility of random checks:

• The blood alcohol limit for drivers is 0.05%, less than that of England’s and aligned with Scotland's regulations.
  
  
• Random breath tests are frequently conducted, especially post-accidents or severe violations.
  
  
• Similar procedures apply to drug tests, underscoring the stringent approach to road safety.

French Motorway Tolls

Many of the main French motorways are toll roads. Many are privately owned.

Luckily, toll payment methods are flexible, allowing drivers to use credit or debit cards as well as cash (for staffed toll roads).

While a majority of toll stations across the nation are now automated and unmanned, certain major and busy autoroutes still maintain manned booths.

The toll system includes two variations: one where you obtain a ticket at the beginning and settle the fee at the end of the road, and another where you pay directly as you proceed through the toll.

Toll costs on French roads

These vary and will depend on the tyre of vehicle you are driving.

There are five classes that vehicles come under:

Category 1: Cars and trailers under 2 meters in height and 5.5 tonnes in weight, often termed as passenger or light vehicles.

Category 2: Similar to Category 1, but with a height between two and three meters.

Category 3: Vehicles (with or without a trailer) over 3.5 tonnes gross weight and more than three meters in height.

Category 4: HGVs, trucks, and larger vehicles with over two axles, weighing above 3.5 tonnes, and towering above four meters.

Category 5: Motorbikes, including those with sidecars.

As a general rule, if you are driving a family car, you should expect to pay in the region of €5-€40 per toll. This will depend on the motorway you are using and the distance you travel on it. 

Useful French Phrases When Driving in France

We hope you don't need the majority of these, however, here are some useful phrases that may come in handy should you end up in need of help when driving:

• Puis-je me garer ici. - Can I park here?
   
• Où puis-je me garer? - Where can I park?
   
• Où est la station de service la plus proche? - Where’s the nearest gas station?
   
• Où est la garagiste la plus proche? - Where is the nearest garage?
   
• Nous sommes au bord de l'autoroute. - We’re on the side of the motorway
   
• Nous avons besoin d'une dépanneuse. - We need a tow truck.
   
• La voiture ne démarre pas. - The car does not start.
   
• La batterie est à plat. - The battery is dead.
   
• Nous avons un pneu crevé. - We have a flat tyre.

Embark on Your French Expedition with Confidence

Armed with the knowledge in the guide, your French road trip is poised to be an unforgettable journey.

By respecting French road regulations, not only do you ensure your safety and the safety of others, but you also demonstrate your commitment to responsible travel.

So, assemble your travel essentials, fasten your seatbelt, and embark on a remarkable adventure through the diverse and enchanting landscapes of France.

Bonne journée!