General driving information France
The first thing you need to know about driving in France is that like many other European countries traffic flows on the right hand side of the road also head lights on right hand drive vehicles will need to be modified either by stick on beam redirectors or in some modern cars you will have a setting to do this for you. Vehicles registered in other countries must have a sticker affixed to the vehicle stating the country of origin even is this is indicated via the number plate.
Documents that must be kept in your vehicle at all times in France
- Driving license
- Insurance
- Registration grey card (carte grise)
- Residents card (carte de sejour) or passport
Other compulsory items that must be kept in vehicle at all times in France
- Warning triangle
- Hi Vis vest for all passengers (to be kept in vehicle not in the boot)
Speed Limits in France
- Motorways / Autoroutes 130kmh and 110kmh when raining
- Dual carriage ways 110kmh and 100kmh when raining
- Regional roads 90kmh and 80kmh when raining
- Built up areas 50kmh
- In visibility less than 50m 50kmh
EU Driving Licenses in France
Anyone holding a valid EU driving license can drive in France for a period of up to 90 days although if you are working or changing your permanent place of residency to France you can drive on that license permanently and if you want to you can exchange your license for a French license you can but this is only done on a purely voluntary basis.
Non EU Driving Licenses in France
Anyone holding a non EU driving license can drive in France for up to 90days this changes to 1 year if you are working or moving your place of permanent residents to France after the one year period you will need to exchange your license for a French one where possible or sit a French driving test. Student are an exception and are allowed to drive on there normal license from there home country for the duration of there study period.
Driving in France with children
In France children under the age of 10 must ride in the rear of the vehicle at all times and must wear an appropriate selt belt or be strapped into an approved child seat.
Driving under the influence of alcohol
Drink driving is a serious matter in France as in many European countries in France anyone with a blood / alcohol level of 0.5 grams per litre or over is classed as unfit to drive this limited is lower than other European countries.
Mobile telephones when driving in France
Mobile telephones are not to be used while driving in France unless attached to an appropriate hands free system.
Who has right of way in France (Priorite a droite)
In France there is a rule that gives right of way to vehicles turning onto a road in the direction the traffic flows from the right so be aware of these drivers pulling out in front of you there are also some exceptions to this rule which are if the junction is marked by a stop sign, traffic lights, solid white line or a round about where vehicles from the left have right of way.
