Driving in France is not stressful if you are prepared.

"Requirements for Driving in France"

Driving in France is fairly hassle free, most of the laws and road signs are the same as the UK. Another great thing is the roads are generally well maintained and empty compared to UK roads.

My wife found driving on French motorways less stressful than UK motorways even though she had never driven abroad before.

Compulsory paperwork and equipment. (Expect changes following Brexit.)

You will need to carry your vehicle registration document, insurance documents (valid for driving in France) and driving license. If the vehicle isn't registered in your name you also need an authorization letter from the owner. You must be over 18 and have a full driving license. Your car should be fitted with beam benders and a UK* sticker. (*the GB sticker is no longer valid from 28th September 2021 following Brexit.)

You should also carry a spare set of bulbs, a warning triangle and a florescent jacket (for each person in the vehicle) to wear if the car breaks down. (Please note that you are required to wear a fluorescent jacket whenever you get out of the car. So if stopped by the police put it on before you get out.) A first aid kit and fire extinguisher are recommended (these are compulsory in some EU countries). A recent requirement added stipulates that drivers carry a breath alcohol testing kit.

Driving in France.

Speed Limits

N.B. Built up area speed limits start from the town name sign and end with the sign that has the town name crossed through.

The reduced limits for wet roads will also apply to inexperienced drivers and visiting drivers who have held a license for less than 2 years.

Motoring Offenses

There are on the spot fines for speeding, and the UK and French authorities are working together to target reckless UK drivers, so use our printout to remind you of the limits.

The French police are also strict about stop lines, you must come to a complete stop. Also, when overtaking do not cross a solid white centre line. The legal blood alcohol level is also lower than in the UK.

Main Differences in France compared with the UK - you do not always have the right of way approaching roundabouts and at junctions.

A yellow diamond with a white border means you have priority. Passage protégé also means you have right of way.

A yellow diamond with a white border and black line through it means your priority ends and you must give way to traffic to your right. For example, if you are on a main road and you pass the crossed out yellow diamond sign you must give way to traffic coming from side roads to the right unless the side road has a stop line.

This also applies on some roundabouts, mainly in towns. Unless the signs or road markings show otherwise you must stop on the roundabout to allow traffic from the right to join the roundabout.

At traffic lights, a flashing orange light or arrow means proceed with caution. Red means STOP and green means GO. Lights change more quickly in France than they do in the UK so you have be pretty sharp.

Printout this page for easy reference when driving, it helps to keep the table below near your dashboard for quick reference.

Common phrases you will encounter on French road signs.

Feu Rouge - Red Light
​Feu Vert - Green Light

Piétons - pedestrians
Ralentissez - Lower your speed
Chaussée déformée - uneven road surface
A gauche - left

A droite - right

Tout Droit - Straight ahead
Essence (sans plomb) - Petrol without lead (unleaded)
Parking Payant - Paid parking

Parking Gratuit - free parking

Emergency services: 112 for the local emergency services but you can also dial directly to the following.

17 is exclusively for calling Police/Gendarmerie (law enforcement)
15 gets you S.A.M.U. (E.M.S) for emergency medical assistance
18 connects you with the fire department.

Have a great time on your trip, stay safe and enjoy the wonderfully smooth and straight French roads savoring the stunning scenery.

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