France is a popular choice for driving holidays as it offers a blend of scenic countryside landscapes and vibrant cities. Whether you’re exploring the vineyards of Bordeaux or the busy streets of Paris, understanding what to expect on French roads will allow for a smoother, more enjoyable journey. This handy guide will help ensure you are well prepared and confident for your trips as it outlines the key laws and requirements for driving in France.

Emergency Services Telephone Number in France

Emergency telephones are linked to an SOS telephone network and are installed at 2km intervals along motorways.

112 – You can dial 112 from anywhere in Europe and an operator will connect you to an emergency service in the country you’re visiting. 
Operators can answer your call in their native language, English or French.

French Driving Licence Laws

Visitors must be 18 or over and hold a full, valid driving licence to legally drive in France. Provisional licences are unacceptable.

To rent a car in France you must be at least 21 years old or 25 years old, depending on the rental agency’s requirements. A credit card in your name is also required and some agencies will require that you have held a valid driving licence for at least one year. Make sure to review the specific terms and conditions of the rental company you choose.

What You Cannot Bring into France

When travelling to France, the following items are prohibited:

• Meat or products containing meat 
• Milk or dairy products 

Additionally, the following items may only be brought into France if they are inspected and accompanied by a ‘phytosanitary certificate’ (fees apply):

• Fresh fruit (apart from bananas, coconuts, dates, pineapples and durians) 
• Vegetables 
• Plants 
• Plant products

Documents You Need to Drive in France

Vehicles from the UK can be temporarily imported into France for up to six months in any period of 12 months. To be safe, always carry:

• Full, valid UK driving licence 
• Proof of identity (ID card or passport) 
• Motor insurance certificate /
• V5 registration document 

Car hire companies will provide additional documents specific to your car – keep these handy during your travels.

Compulsory Equipment Checklist for Driving in France

French law requires you to have the following items in your vehicle:

• Reflective jackets: One per passenger and stored within reach 
• Warning triangle: For vehicles with four wheels or more 
• Headlamp beam deflectors: To prevent glare on oncoming traffic 
• Winter tyres or snow chains: Mandatory in mountainous regions from 1^st November to 31^st March 
• Crit’Air clean air stickers: Necessary for driving in certain cities, with fines up to €180 for non-compliance. They cost £3.60. 

Recommended, non-obligatory extras include: a first aid kit, replacement bulb, torch, phone charger, spare tyre, jump leads, snacks and water.

French Rules of the Road

Seat Belt Law in France

If seat belts are fitted to your car, they must be worn by both drivers and passengers.  
The driver is responsible for ensuring that all passengers under the age of 18 are suitably restrained in the car.

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

In France, which side of the road do they drive on?

The French drive on the right-hand side of the road. If this is new to you it might be best to practice on quieter roads.

How to overtake in France

The general rule is you drive on the right and 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 street, if there is not enough space on the right.

Who has priority in France?

Generally, vehicles from the right have priority unless signs otherwise indicated. 
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.

Using your horn in France

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 way only be used in cases of absolute necessity. 

In 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. 

Traffic Lights

The international three-colour traffic light system is used in France. However, there is no amber light after the red light when transitioning from red to green.

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.

What are the speed limits in France?

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

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

The following national speed limits apply:

	Motorways	Priority roads & dual carriageways	Other roads	Built up areas
Normal traffic conditions	130 km/h	110 km/h	80 km/h	50 km/h
Rain or other precipitation	110 km/h	100 km/h	70 km/h	50 km/h
Visibility less than 50m	50 km/h	50 km/h	50 km/h	50 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 the vehicle. This has extended to include GPS-based systems capable of displaying fixed-speed camera locations as a point of interest.

In a bid to save 400 lives a year, the speed limit on many A and B roads have been reduced to 50 km/h (50mh). This came into effect from the 1^st July 2018

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 40km/h will have their licences confiscated on the spot by police.

Are speed camera detectors allowed in France?

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

Travelling with Children in France

Drivers are responsible for ensuring that all passengers under 18 are wearing a seat belt and are appropriately restrained.

Child Car Seat Rules France

Children under 10 years old are not permitted to travel in the front seats of a vehicle unless:

• The vehicle has no rear seats 
• The rear seats are already occupied by children under 10 
• The rear seats do not have seatbelts

Children up to 10 years old must travel in an approved child seat or restraint system that is appropriately suited to their age and size.

European regulations categorise child restraints in five groups based on the child’s weight:

Weight	Seat Rule
Group 0: <10 kg	Rear-facing child seat placed either at front passenger seat (airbag switched off) or back seat. Babies can also travel in a carry cot on the rear seat only.
Group 0+: <13 kg	They are slighter bigger versions of those in Group 0. They must be installed under the same conditions as those in group 0.
Group 1: 9-18kg	Child seat with a 5-point harness or a protection tray.
Group 2: 15-25kg	Booster seat or cushion with an adult seat belt.
Group 3: 22-36kg	Booster seat or cushion with an adult seat belt.

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

Headphones and Mobile Phones

Whilst driving in France, it is illegal to use a mobile phone without a hands-free system.

According to European Union regulations, which apply to France, drivers may only use a Bluetooth hands-free device. The use of headphones or earphones whilst driving is strictly prohibited.

Penalties and Fines in France

On-the-spot fines

French police authorities are authorised to impose and collect on-the-spot fines of up to €750 for traffic violations.

For minor offences that do not involve the suspension of a driving licence or a prison sentence:

• Drivers can pay a reduced fine within three days 
• You may request a court hearing within 30 days if you wish to contest the fine

For serious offences that may result in a heavy fine, licence suspension or a prison sentence:

• Non-resident motorists without employment in France are required to deposit a guarantee 
• The police may retain the vehicle until the guarantee is paid

This payment can be paid in euros, by a cheque drawn on a French bank or by traveller’s cheques.

Minimum and Maximum fines in France

Standard fines are divided into four categories based on the severity of the offence and range from €11 to €750.

If the payment is made within 15 days, if paid by post, or three days, if paid in person, then the fine will be reduced.

If the payment is not made within 45 days, then the fine will increase.

Vehicle Confiscation

In some cases, instead of (or in addition to) a fine or prison sentence, a vehicle may be confiscated. The primary offences that can result in vehicle confiscation include:

• Exceeding the limit by more than 50 km/h 
• Repeated offence of driving under the influence of alcohol (0.40 mg per litre of breath) 
• Hit and run incidents 
• Refusing to stop when requested by authorities 
• Driving without a valid licence 
• Driving a vehicle without the appropriate category of licence = 
• Driving without insurance

If you are found guilty of any of the above offences, the vehicle may be seized and become property of the French government.

Parking in France

Much like it is across the continent, there are some different parking rules and regulations in France.

Parking Regulations

On roads with two lanes of traffic, stopping and parking are only permitted on the right-hand side. On one-way streets, stopping and parking are allowed on both sides, provided the street is wide enough to accommodate this. Restrictions and limitations are indicated by road signs or by yellow lines on the kerb.

A continuous yellow line indicates that stopping and parking are prohibited. A broken yellow line indicates that parking is prohibited.

On two-way roads, always park on the right-hand side.

Enforcement of Parking Regulations

Vehicles that are parked illegally may be towed away and impounded, regardless of whether they are registered in France or abroad.

The vehicle owner is liable for the cost of impounding and faces additional charges for every 24 hours the vehicle is kept in custody.

In Paris and other major cities, illegally parked vehicles are immobilised by wheel clamps. To have the vehicle released, the driver must go to the local police station and pay a fine for dangerous parking or for causing an obstruction, as well as a fine to have the vehicle released.

Paid Parking

Road signs indicate that areas where parking is restricted and must be paid for, either at parking meters or automatic machines that issue tickets indicating the length of parking time paid for.

Some machines take debit/credit cards and are labelled as “stationnement à la carte”.

Disabled Parking Access

Designated parking spaces are reserved for the disabled. In Paris, these spaces allow free parking where a fee is normally payable. The disabled badge generally permits parking in designated spaces but does not guarantee free parking in fee-paying areas.

In most cases, disabled badge holders may park without time limits on streets where parking is free, but you are still subject to time restrictions.

Whilst local authorities typically manage parking concessions, police officers are also expected to show consideration for disabled parking as long as it does not result in obstruction.

Toll Roads in France

French toll roads, marked by the letter A for ‘autoroute’ and the entrances highlighted by the word ‘péage’, accept cash and card payments.

Consider using electronic tags like Telepass or Emovis for faster access.

Alcohol Limits

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

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

Random Breath Test

The police are able to carry out random breath tests. A test is compulsory after an accident that has caused injury or when a driver has committed a serious motoring offence.

A driver involved in an accident, or who has committed a traffic offence such as speeding or not wearing a seat belt, must take a drugs test.

The police use saliva or urine tests to detect drivers under the influence of drugs. If the test is positive, a blood test follows. Penalties range from fines (~ €135 – €4,500) to imprisonment for severe violations.

Although it is no longer a legal requirement to carry a breathalyser in your vehicle whilst driving in France, it is still considered good practice to have one in your car.

Fuel

Here are the names of the pumps so you can avoid misfuelling on your holiday:

Diesel: Gazole

High-octane petrol: Sans plomb 95

Standard petrol: Sans plomb 98

Fuel prices vary throughout France, so it is worth checking the current fuel prices before you travel.

How to Hire A Car in France

Not all of the information in the guide above will be relevant to those looking to rent a hire car in France. However, it’s still worth reviewing to make sure you are as prepared as possible. For drivers of rented vehicles, here at the most important things to know:

• Minimum Age: You must be at least 21 years old to hire a car. Age requirements may vary depending on the type of vehicle. 
• Driving Licence: A full, valid UK driving licence is required, along with a second form of ID, such as a passport. 
• Licence Duration: Most rental companies require you to have held your licence for at least 1 year. 
• Deposit Requirements: A credit card may be needed to cover the deposit. 
• Travel Restrictions: Planning to drive outside of France? Confirm with your rental company beforehand, as this may not always be allowed. 
• Excess Insurance: Protect yourself from unexpected costs with car rental excess insurance. It is more affordable to arrange this in advance with a third-party

By staying informed and prepared, you’ll enjoy a smoother car rental experience and can focus on making the most of your trip.

For the smoothest rental experience possible, purchase car hire excess insurance. If you accidentally damage the hire car, then all you have to do is pay the rental company the excess and then claim it back through us. It’s as easy as that.

Planning ahead by familiarising yourself with driving rules and ensuring you have the right insurance coverage will mean you can focus on what really matters on your trip – making memories!