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Centre Val-de-Loire Local Reference INFOrmation

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Driving in France

Motoring notes on the driving laws and you. An introduction to what you must (and must not) do when driving in France: licences, speeding, driving and alcohol.

Information below on the general rules and regulations of driving in France, valid licences, speed limits, priority and road conditions, using the autoroute, fuel (petrol, diesel and GPL), accidents, driving while intoxicated, registering a foreign car and buying and selling a car.

The minimum age in France to drive a car is 18 years. Drivers must have a valid driving licence and be 18 years or older. The minimum ages to ride varying sizes of scooters or motor bikes vary, beginning with mopeds (cycoloteurs) of under 50cc where it is 14 years subject to the conditions outlined on this INFOrmation Page: French Driving Licences.

Rules & Regulations

Drive on the right in France
It is compulsory to wear a seat belt front and rear (if fitted)
It is compulsory for all children up to 10 years to travel in the back seat of a car and wear a seat belt or be strapped into a proper child seat. Only adults and children from 10 years may sit in the front passenger seat
Mobile cellular telephones may not be used while driving except with a "handsfree" system
It is compulsory to carry a driving licence, car registration papers (Carte Grise) and insurance documents. (These must be the original documents; keep copies separately.)
Third party insurance is compulsory
Driving with lights on by day is optional.

Warning triangle and safety jacket

By law, one red warning triangle and one high-visibility waistcoat/vest must be carried in a vehicle. In the event of breakdown the driver must put on the safety jacket before leaving the vehicle, and then place the warning triangle 30 metres from the breakdown to warn approaching traffic. Failure to carry these items in the vehicle is punishable by a fine incurred per item not carried.

The triangle must conform to EU standards, evidence for which is the stamp E 27 R
The high-visibility garment must conform to EU standards EN 471 or EN 1150, in order to conform with European Directive 89/686/EEC
Further information from Sécurité routière: Click here (in French)

Licences

EU and EEA driving licences are valid in France. However, if a French resident holding a non-French licence issued by an EU or EEA member country commits a motoring offence in France that involves penalty points they must exchange that licence for a French licence. See Foreign Driving Licences in France for further details.

International Driving Licences (IDL) accompanied by a valid foreign licence (non-EU or EEA) are accepted in France. But once the licence holder has been resident in the country for one year the licence becomes invalid. If an exchange agreement exists with the issuing country it may be exchanged for a French one during the first year of residency. If there is no exchange agreement the driver must pass a full French driving examination to qualify for a French licence.

For details on licence exchanges, see this AngloINFO INFOrmation Page: Foreign Driving Licences in France
For details on getting a licence see this AngloINFO INFOrmation Page: French Driving Licences

Loss and theft of paperwork

If a licence is lost or stolen, report it to the police station closest to where it went missing. The police will provide a receipt, which is a temporary permit valid for two months.

If vehicle registration papers are stolen, go to the police station closest to where the theft happened. The police will issue a certificate. To apply for a replacement, take the police certificate, proof of identity, proof of residence and the technical certificate (Contrôle Technique) to the Préfecture or Sous-Préfecture.

Speed Limits, Priority & Road Conditions

Speed limits UNLESS otherwise marked by signs:

Autoroute (national highway/freeway system/motorway system): 130 Km/h and 110 Km/h when raining
Expressways: 110 Km/h and 100 Km/h when raining
Two lane roads or single lane roads separated by an island: 110 Km/h and 100 Km/h when raining
Regional roads: 90 Km/h and 80 Km/h when raining
Built up areas (towns and villages): 50 Km/h
Any time visibility is less than 50m: 50 Km/h

Speed Cameras

The French Government website Sécurité Routière regularly publishes updates on placement of fixed speed monitoring radars.

For positions of the fixed and mobile radars and cameras: Click here (in French)
For an FAQ on how speed detection cameras and the penalty system works: Click here (in French)
The privately owned website Controle Radar provides this information in English: Click here

Road Conditions

Bison Futé (website in English) is the official French national centre for information on road and traffic conditions.

For real-time data on accidents, road closures or other unexpected problems for all areas of France: Click here (in French) or Click here (in English)
Tel: 0826 022 022 (From outside France: +33 892 687 888)

Right of way/priority

When driving in a city, town or village, the right of way at an intersection is automatically given to the vehicle on the right - la priorité à droite - unless otherwise indicated by stop or yield/give way signs. This applies even in the case of a small side road entering a major main road. The vehicle travelling on the main road must give way to the vehicle entering on the right.

Road signs

For complete list of all the road signs in France and what they mean: Click here (in French only)

Using the Autoroute in France

The autoroute road system is toll-paying with several companies owning the tolls for a particular region. Autoroutes France (in French) is a portal for all French toll companies. The price of a toll will be shown at the entrance to the gates. Most toll fees can be paid in cash, by credit card or via a subscription with the relevant toll company.

For a full list of the companies and the areas they manage, with links to their websites: Click here

Fuel: Petrol and Diesel

All fuel stations sell diesel (gazole) and unleaded petrol (essence) in 95 and 98 octane. Many stock autogas/LPG (liquefied petroleum gas, GPL in French). Many fuel stations have automatic pumps for payment by credit card (some are card-operated only).

For petrol and diesel price comparisons throughout France: Click here (in French)

Accidents

In the event of an accident call the police (Tel: 17). An ambulance will be called if one is needed. All those involved must fill in an accident report form (constat à l'amiable) and swap insurance details (always keep the blue constat à l'amiable in the car).

For full details see the AngloINFO INFOrmation Page: Road Traffic Accident in France

Drink Driving, DUI and DWI

A driver is considered to be driving under the influence of alcohol - driving drunk - in France if the blood/alcohol level is equal to or exceeds 0.5 grams per litre (g/l).

If the blood/alcohol level is between 0.5 g/l and 0.8 g/l the penalty could include a fine and the loss of six points
If the blood/alcohol level is in excess of 0.8g/l the penalty could include two years in jail, a fine, the confiscation of the vehicle, the suspension of the licence or the loss of six points
If the blood/alcohol exceeds the legal limit, and a presence of banned narcotics (drugs) is detected, the penalty could include three years in prison and a fine
If a driver causes an accident while driving drunk, the fine could be dramatically increased
If a driver causes serious physical harm or commits involuntary manslaughter (a victim dies as a result of the driver's actions), penalties may be a ten-year prison sentence and a fine of up to €150,000
A driver who refuses to take the breathalyser, may face further penalties.

Note: If a driving infraction has been committed and points need to be removed, a person resident in France using an EU or foreign licence will have to exchange it for a French one (if possible).

Registering a Car

See the AngloINFO INFOrmation Page: Registering a Foreign Vehicle in France

Buying a Car

The car must be registered at the Préfecture or Sous-Préfecture within 15 days of purchase. Documents required are:

Proof of residence (such as a recent electricity bill, no more than 3 months old)
Proof of identity
The cancelled car registration document (carte grise, barrée) supplied by the seller
A copy of the certificate of sale (certificat de vente)
The technical certificate (controle technique) no more than 6 months old
Admin certificate (certificat de situation administrative)

Selling a car

The seller of a used car must supply the following to the buyer:

Technical certificate (control technique) to prove the car is roadworthy, (several auto centres display a sign saying they do the tests - also called Auto Bilan)
Certificate of sale (certificat de vente)
Admin form (certificat de situation administrative) available from the Préfecture or Sous-Préfecture

The grey vehicle registration card (carte grise) must be "cancelled" by writing "vendu le [date]" and signing; now it is the carte grise barrée. Return the sale certificate to the Prefecture/Sous-Prefecture within 15 days of the sale.

For full details on buying, selling and registering a used car see the AngloINFO INFOrmation Page: The Carte Grise Vehicle Registration

Parking

Parking more than 24 hours in the same place is forbidden (unless it is a long-term parking facility).

Parking cards: Pay-parking meters are operated by a parking card which can be bought at a tobacconist (Tabac)
Parking fines: fines can be paid by cheque or with a timbre which is available from a tobacconist (Tabac). Post the slip with the fine and keep a receipt as proof of payment
Disabled parking: Cars parked in disabled spaces must display the GIG - GIC blue disabled person's parking badge in the window

Parking in Paris

Paris residents parking permit: Reduced parking is permitted to residents of an area who have a vignette de stationnement résidentiel, which is available from the local town hall or Mairie
Pre-booked parking is available with Parkings de Paris which lists all car parks in Paris (over 210), searchable by arrondissement (in English). Parkings de Paris published handbook is available in French, English and German (can be bought online)

Vehicle Tax

Vehicle tax is not required for privately-used cars. Tax is required for commercial vehicles and a tax disc (vignette) must be stuck to the windscreen.