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Driving in France |
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- Drive on the right
- Don’t drink and drive – France has strict drink driving laws
- Seatbelts must be worn, front and rear
- The minimum age for driving in France is 18 but to hire a car in France you must be at least 21 years old and have held a driving license for a year.
- Children under 10 years old are not allowed to ride in the front. Children should always be restrained by an appropriate car seat. Children over 15kg may use a booster seat with an adult seatbelt. If you are not taking your own, please remember to request your child seats when you reserve your hire car as they can be in short supply, particularly during July and August.
- Always carry your driving license and, if you do not have a photocard license, ensure you carry your passport as well to confirm your identity. It is advisable to carry your rental agreement also as proof of insurance.
- Give way to the traffic coming from the right (Priorité à droite) unless a yellow diamond sign is present to indicate you have right of way. Roundabouts are generally exempt from this and priority is given to the traffic already on the roundabout
- Come to a complete halt at “Stop” signs
- Headlights should be used during the day if there is poor visibility
- Speed and radar traps are commonplace in France and there can be heavy on-the-spot fines
- Be aware that speed limits can change due to poor visibility and wet weather conditions
- Parking restrictions are strongly enforced, particularly in towns. Keep a look out for areas where you need a “Zone Bleu” sticker to park (usually available at newsagents or the local tourist office). Parking meters and pay and display machines are also commonplace.
- Park in the same direction as the traffic.
- France has an extensive network of motorways or “autoroutes”. These can sometimes be free, particularly in and around large cities. However, where there is an alternative route, they usually incur a fee depending on the distance travelled. These are “autoroutes à péage” and are denoted with a blue sign. Credit cards are accepted but it is always worth having some change at the ready to pay for short distances. If you are travelling long distances, “autoroutes à péage” can be pricey but are an extremely efficient way of getting around. For an alternative, more scenic route follow the “itinéraire Bis” signs
- When turning left (across the oncoming traffic), you must often first turn right and follow a filter lane round, crossing the traffic via traffic lights or over/underpass. These types of turn are usually signposted ahead of the junction.
- Unleaded petrol is known as “Sans Plomb 95 or 98” and diesel is “gasoil” – the cheapest place to fill up is usually the supermarket.
- Be aware that the automatic petrol pumps (“pay at pump”) do not always accept international credit cards.
- Be aware that rural petrol stations rarely open 24 hours
- French signs usually give prominence to place names rather than identifying numbers. To help you navigate, be aware of which towns lie in the same direction as you are going. Large cities (such as Paris) can be signposted from many miles away and are often given prominence over smaller, closer towns. Common signs, particularly as methods for diverting traffic through towns are “Toutes directions” (All directions) and “Autres directions” (All other directions)
- Snow chains must be fitted to vehicles using snow-covered roads in compliance with the relevant road signs
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