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Driving in France
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With swathes of stunning countryside and vibrant cities to explore, it’s

no wonder that France is such a popular destination for driving
holidays. But if you’re planning a road trip, it’s essential you understand
how driving in France differs to the UK.
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To make your trip to mainland Europe as safe and stress-free as possible, we’ve put
together a guide to everything you need to know before you go, from required
documents to rules of the road. 
Popular in travel
For starters, it's a good idea to get RAC European Breakdown Cover before you go. It will
give you a wide range of benefits should you break down in France to make sure you
stay safe. You can get cover for a single trip abroad or throughout the year if you travel 1 Driving in Europe checklist
to France on a regular basis.

As with any holiday, you should have travel insurance for your trip to France. 2 International Driving Permit:
how to get one and where
Need insurance for your road trip? Our temporary car insurance product is perfect if you need it
you're looking for flexible and comprehensive cover for between 1 hour and 30 days.

3 Top 16 tips for driving through

France in 2022
Latest French road regulations
If you are driving a vehicle or riding a motorcycle in France please take note of the latest 4 International Driving Permits
and Brexit – your questions
regulations:
answered about driving in
Alcohol limit: For drivers and riders that have less than three years of experience,
the EU
the alcohol limit is 0.2 grams per litre. If you have more than three years'
experience the limit is 0.5 grams per litre. Both are lower than the English, Welsh 5 8 amazing UK holiday
destinations for a 2021
and Northern Irish limit of 0.8 grams per litre (the Scottish limit is 0.5).
staycation
Headphones: 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.
Reflective jackets: Riders are required to have reflective jackets in the event of a
breakdown or an emergency.
Low emission zones: Paris has a Low Emission Zone which means that petrol and
diesel cars registered before 1997 are banned from 8am to 8pm on weekdays. As of
2020, only vehicles made in or after 2011 are allowed. Diesel and petrol lorries and
buses made before 1997 are banned in Paris as well. Find out more about France's
emissions rules here.
Clean air sticker: You need a Crit'Air sticker displayed on your car when travelling
to certain cities. It costs £3.60 and drivers face an on-the-spot fine of almost £120 if
they don’t have one.
Speed limits: The speed limit on many A and B roads in France has been reduced
to 80km/h (50mph) – in a bid to save up to 400 lives a year.

Advice for driving in France

In an emergency
Important: Because French motorways are privately managed, you’re not allowed to
request your own assistance company to attend to you if you break down.

If you do break down, you should use the orange emergency telephones that are
situated every 2km along main roads and motorways to call the police or the official
breakdown service operating in that area.

Alternatively, if no orange telephone is available, you should call the emergency services
by dialling 112.

You will be towed to a safe designated area where, in the case of those with RAC
European Breakdown Cover, you can then be met by your chosen breakdown provider.

Charges for assistance on a motorway are fixed by the government and are reviewed and
revised each year.

For the most part, the government-appointed towing service that tows you from the
motorway allows the RAC to pay it directly – however, it’s at the towing company's
discretion.

If you’re an RAC customer and asked to pay, please keep your receipt in order to be
refunded by the RAC’s European customer care team.

The cost for recovery is:

€124.83 for vehicles 1.8 tonnes or under or €187.25 between the hours of 18:00 and
08:00, weekends and bank holidays
€154.36 for vehicles 3.5t or under or €231.54 between the hours of 18:00 and 08:00,
weekends and bank holidays
For vehicles over 3.5t, the cost is at the towing service’s discretion

European Breakdown Cover

Get covered when driving in Europe from less than
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Driving licence laws in France

Visitors must be aged 18 or over and hold a full, valid driving licence to legally drive in
France. Riders of mopeds or motorcycles up to 125cc must be aged 16 or over.

Driving licences issued in the UK, the EU and EEA countries are accepted. International
driving permits are recognised but not required. 

Things to take when driving in France

Documents for driving in France

Vehicles from the UK can be temporarily imported into France for up to six months in any
period of 12 months. In order to stay on the right side of the law, the following documents
should always be carried:

Full, valid UK driving licence

Proof of ID (passport)
Motor insurance certificate
V5 registration document

Hiring a car? You may want to consider car hire excess insurance from the equivalent of
£2.99*  a day – it could be cheaper than waiting to add it when you collect your car. 

*Based on UK resident buying a single trip policy to cover 10 days car rental in Europe

Do I need a GB or UK sticker for driving in France?

From 28th September 2021, the distinguishing mark (or national identifier) displayed on
vehicles registered in the United Kingdom that are driven abroad will change from GB to
UK.  

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

The identifier can be incorporated in vehicle number plates (along with the Union Flag)
or as a separate sticker. Note that vehicles featuring the letters GB together with the
Council of Europe golden stars are no longer valid for driving abroad.

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

Do I need an insurance green card?

From 2nd August 2021, drivers will no longer require an insurance green card for taking
their vehicles to France.

ETIAS – 2024
ETIAS stands for the European Travel Information and Authorisation System. It is a visa
program for visitors who don’t need a Schengen visa, who want to travel to the European
Union and a few 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 launching in 2024. Learn more about ETIAS here.

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

You now need a clean air sticker - called a Crit'Air vignette – displayed on your car when
travelling to certain cities.

This six-category sticker system is designed to identify what emissions vehicles produce
and are categorised based on your vehicles Euro emissions standard.

Find out when you need a French clean air sticker and how to buy one.

Other items
You are required by law to carry the following items:

Reflective jackets – One for each occupant, these must be kept inside the
vehicle within easy reach
Warning triangle – Compulsory in every vehicle with four wheels or more
Headlamp beam deflectors – Depending on your car, you will either need
deflector stickers or have to adjust the beam manually
Spare bulbs – It is recommended but not mandatory that you carry a spare bulb
kit for your vehicle
Snow chains – 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
Safety helmets – For motorcyclists and their passengers

A French driving kit will have the items you need – so pick one up for £20 to help you
avoid hefty on-the-spot fines.

If you’re camping, it may also be worth carrying a Camping Card International to give
you additional proof of identity, third party liability insurance, plus discounts at a wide
range of campsites and tourist attractions.

Note: Before 2020 it was a legal requirement to carry a breathalyser kit with at least two
disposable testing units - however, this is no longer the case. It is still recomended to
carry one, while travelling for safety purposes.

Is there anything that I shouldn’t take with me?

Be aware that you cannot take the following with you into France:

meat or products containing meat

milk or dairy products

You cannot take the following unless you pay to have them inspected before you leave
and get a ‘phytosanitary certificate’:

fresh fruit (apart from bananas, coconuts, dates, pineapples and durians)
vegetables
plants
plant products

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French rules of the road

Overtaking and passing
As a general rule, drive on the right, overtake on the left. However, where traffic is in
lanes, vehicles may overtake on the right of other vehicles in slower moving lanes.

On steep gradients, vehicles travelling downhill must give way to vehicles travelling
uphill.

Overtaking trams in motion is normally permitted on the right only; it is permitted on the
left in one way streets, if there is not enough space on the right.

Who has priority?

At intersections, you must give way to vehicles approaching from your right, unless
otherwise indicated.

Drivers approaching a roundabout must give way to traffic already on the roundabout.

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

Warning of approach
Horns may only be used to give necessary warning to other road users.

Between sunset and sunrise, warning must be given by flashing passing lights. The horn
may be used only in cases of absolute necessity.

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

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

Towing in France
On a standard driving licence, motorists are allowed to tow a trailer with a maximum
authorised mass of 750kg, including the trailer and its load.

You’re not allowed to tow a motor vehicle except in the event of a breakdown or an
accident and if the distance to be travelled is short. This practice is banned on
motorways where the assistance of a recovery vehicle must be sought.

It is forbidden to carry people in a moving caravan.

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France seat belt law

If seat belts are fitted to your car, they must be worn by both drivers and passengers. The
driver has a responsibility to ensure that all passengers under the age of 18 are suitably
restrained in the car.

The fine for failing to wear a seat belt is set at €135, reduced to €90 if paid within 15
days. 

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

As of March 2017, it is illegal to drive a car in France using headphones or earphones. Be
sure to take off your headphones once you cross the Channel, otherwise you could be
fined on the spot.

Traffic lights
The international three-colour traffic light system is used France. However, there is no
amber light after the red light.

A flashing amber light indicates caution, slow down or proceed but give way to vehicles
coming from the right.

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

If a red light is accompanied by a yellow arrow, you may proceed in the direction
indicated by the arrow, provided you give way to vehicles travelling in that direction, as
well as to pedestrians.

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French speed limits

France uses the metric system for all road signs, meaning speed limits and other road
signs including distance are indicated using kilometres and metres.

Speed limits are lowered in rain and other adverse weather conditions, while special
speed restrictions apply to certain classes of vehicle, including coaches and cars with
trailers, so check before travel.

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

The following national speed limits apply:

Built
Priority roads and Other
Motorways up
dual carriageways roads
areas

Normal traffic 80 50
130 km/h 110 km/h
conditions km/h km/h

Rain or other 70 50
110 km/h 100 km/h
precipitation km/h km/h

Visibility less 50 50
50 km/h 50 km/h
than 50m km/h km/h

Holders of EU driving licences exceeding the speed limit by more than 40 km/h will
have their licences confiscated on the spot by the police.
French law prohibits drivers from devices capable of detecting speed cameras and
warning drivers of their location.
Penalties can include fines of up to €1,500 and confiscation of the device and
vehicle.
This has recently been extended to include GPS-based systems capable of
displaying fixed speed camera locations as points of interest.
The speed limit on many A and B roads in France have been reduced to
80km/h (50mph) – in a bid to save up to 400 lives a year. This came into
effect from July 1 2018.

Caravan / trailer speed limits

The maximum speed for a car towing a caravan or trailer depends on their total weight:

Priority roads and dual Other Built up

Motorways
carriageways roads areas

Under 80
130 km/h 110 km/h 50 km/h
3.5t km/h

3.5t to 80
90 km/h 90 km/h 50 km/h
12t km/h

Over 60
90 km/h 80 km/h 50 km/h
12t km/h

If the weight of the trailer exceeds that of the car, the speed limits are lower as follows:

If the excess is less than 30%: 65 km/h

If the excess is more than 30%: 45 km/h

In these cases, a disc showing maximum speed must be displayed on the rear of
caravan/trailers. They may not be driven in the fast lane of a 3 lane motorway.

Motorhome / minibus speed limits

The maximum speed for a motorhome, minibus or any other vehicle used for the
transport of people only also depends on their total weight:

Priority roads and dual Other Built up

Motorways
carriageways roads areas

Under 80
130 km/h 110 km/h 50 km/h
3.5t km/h

3.5t to 80
110 km/h 100 km/h 50 km/h
12t km/h

Over 80
90 km/h 80 km/h 50 km/h
12t km/h

French speeding fines

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

Holders of EU driving licences exceeding the speed limit by more than 40 km/h will have
their licences confiscated on the spot by the police.

Speed camera detectors in France

French law prohibits drivers from using devices capable of detecting speed cameras and
warning drivers of their location. In France, you could have to pay a massive fine of
€1,500 if caught.

Find out more about driving offences in Europe here.

Travelling with children in France

Drivers are responsible for ensuring that all passengers under 18 are wearing a seat belt
or appropriate restraint.

France child car seats

Children under the age of 10 are not allowed to travel in the front seats of vehicles
without using a special child restraint, unless there is no rear seat, the rear seat is
already occupied with children under 10 or there are no seat belts.

Children up to the age of 10 must travel in an approved child seat or restraint, adapted to
their age and size. European regulations classify child restraints in five different groups
according to the child's weight:

Weight

Group Rear-facing child seat placed either at front passenger seat (airbag
0: < 10 switched off) or back seat. Babies can also travel in a carry cot on
kg the rear seat only

Group
These are slightly bigger versions of those in Group 0. They must be
0+: < 13
installed under the same conditions as those in Group 0
kg

Group
1: 9 - 18 Child seat with a 5-point harness or a protection tray
kg

Group
2: 15 - Booster seat or cushion with an adult seat belt
25 kg

Group
3: 22 - Booster seat or cushion with an adult seat belt
36 kg

Taxis are exempt but in other vehicles, a fine is levied if a child is not restrained.

France bike helmet law

Children under the age of 12 must wear a helmet when cycling – both when riding
themselves or as a passenger.

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

Driving a camper van and towing a caravan in

France
Camper vans are not allowed to exceed 12 metres in length, and 2.55 metres in width.
There are no height restrictions.

Cars with caravans are not allowed to exceed a combined 18.75 metres in length, and
2.55 metres in width. There are no height restrictions.

Loads on vehicles with two axles mustn’t exceed 19 tonnes. While weights at single axles
mustn’t exceed 12 tonnes.

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 excess is more than 30%:  45 km/h

It’s illegal to tow another motor vehicle except in the case of a breakdown or an accident
and if the distance to be travelled is short.

Please note: The Department for Transport advises that A-frames are not legal for use by
UK campers and caravanners abroad. In practice, this could mean towing your car while
it’s fixed to a trailer.**

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Penalties and fines in France

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