Driving in France

Taking your car on holiday to France could be a daunting prospect but with Terry Marsh’s helpful tips and advice your journey is sure to run smoothly. French motorists, we all know, are terrible drivers. Have you seen how they park their cars on market day? Not so much parking as total abandonment. Crazy, or what? And to make matters worse, they drive on the wrong side of the road! Well, actually, French drivers are no better or worse than British – and they think we drive on the wrong side of the road. So, how can you get by, driving in France, without running into difficulty? Or better still, without running into anything? And what do you need to take with you to ensure that you are ‘legal’ while in France, a country where even a minor infringement can cost you, at the very least, quite a few hours of your time. The French Code de la Route differs very little from the Highway Code – except that it’s in French. Though there are some significant differences in law. Strange as it may seem to some people, good driving is about common sense, observation and courtesy.

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Ten Key Points for Driving in France

1. No-one is allowed to drive on a provisional licence
2. Minimum age to drive in France is 18, not 17
3. Seat belts must be worn by the driver and front/back-seat passengers
4. Under-tens may not travel in the front unless the child is in a specially approved fitted seat facing backwards
5. ‘Stop’ signs mean ‘stop’. Creeping slowly in first gear will not do. You must come to a complete halt
6. No stopping on open roads unless the car is driven off the road
7. Overtaking where there is a solid single centre line is heavily penalised
8. A red warning triangle is to be carried in case of breakdown, unless your car has hazard warning lights, but is strongly advised anyway as breakdown may affect your electrics. However it is compulsory for cars towing a caravan or a trailer
9. Use full or dipped headlights, as in UK, in poor visibility and at night. Use sidelights only when the car is stationary. It is illegal to drive with faulty lights
10. Beams must be adjusted for right-hand drive. Yellow tinted headlights are NOT compulsory for tourist vehicles

A valid UK driving licence

Bear in mind that the minimum driving age in France is 18, so even if you’re 17 and have passed your UK test, you are not permitted to drive in France. If your licence does not incorporate a photograph ensure you carry your passport to validate the licence. The minimum age for hiring a car is 21, rising to 26 in some areas.

Appropriate motor insurance for driving in France

Vehicles registered in Great Britain are not obliged to show an international insurance certificate or green card, but proof of insurance may be needed if you are stopped by the police or at customs. Though a green card is no longer compulsory, it is advisable as it will provide fully comprehensive cover. Some British insurance companies offer policies with foreign travel permitted up to a number of days each year.

Vehicle registration document

If the vehicle is not registered in your name, carry a letter from the registered owner giving you permission to drive.

Headlamp converters in France

Because the French drive on the right, it is compulsory to place converters on your headlights to ensure that your dipped beams won’t dazzle oncoming traffic. If you haven’t fitted them before leaving home, and in many cases you won’t be able to, then do so at the ferry port while waiting to board, even if your onward route is going to be in daylight.

Wearing seat belts in France

It is compulsory to wear seat belts. Children under ten are forbidden to travel in the front seat. In the rear they must use a proper restraint system appropriate to their weight, which means a child seat if they weigh between 9kg and 15kg. Over this weight they can use seat belts with a cushion.

Crash Helmets

If you’re riding a motorcycle then, as in the UK, a crash helmet is compulsory for drivers and passengers.

Displaying GB stickers

UK-registered vehicles displaying Euro plates (circle of twelve stars above the national identifier on blue background) no longer need a GB sticker when driving in France (or other European Union countries).

Warning triangles

Either a red warning triangle or hazard lights must be used during an accident or breakdown. Although not compulsory, it is strongly recommended that you carry a spare set of bulbs for your vehicle, along with a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit – a bottle of cognac does not constitute a first aid kit!

Dipped headlights

Dipped headlights must be used in poor daytime visibility. Motorcycles over 125cc must use dipped headlights during the day at all times.

Visibility vests

Visibility vests, worn if you need to walk on a motorway, may become compulsory throughout the EU but at the moment they are not required in France.

Drink Driving in France

France has tough drink driving laws, blood alcohol levels being stricter than in the UK (0.5 mg/ml rather than 0.8). The advice is simple: if you’re driving, don’t drink.

Overtaking

Overtaking where there is a solid single line in the middle of the road is heavily penalised. Where there are three or five lanes, the centre lane may be used for overtaking in either direction. Extreme care is needed when overtaking on such roads.

Minimum distances when driving in France

Drivers must keep a distance of two seconds from the vehicle in front. Any infringement incurs a maximum fine of €750 (£517).

Mobile phones

Using a hand-held mobile phone while driving is punishable with a fine and two penalty points.

Speeding in France

Speed limits are applied rigorously, and radar traps are frequent. In France, anyone caught travelling at more than 25kph above the speed limit can have their licence confiscated on the spot – on a scale of one to ten of absolute inconvenience, that has to rate thirty! Think about it.

On the spot fines

Speeding and other traffic offences are subject to on-the-spot fines. Ensure you get an official receipt from the officer collecting the fine.

Minimum speed limit

There is a minimum speed limit of 50mph (80kph) on the outside lane of motorways during the day and where the road is level.

Speed Limits in France

For vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes, eg cars:

In dry driving conditions:

Motorways	130kph (80mph) On urban stretches 110kph (68mph) and 80kph (50mph) on the Paris ring road.
Dual carriageways	110kph (68mph)
Outside built-up areas	90kph (55mph)
Built-up areas	50kph (31mph)

In wet driving conditions, and at all times to drivers who have held a licence for less than 2 years

Motorways	110kph (68mph)
Dual carriageways	100kph (62mph)
Outside built-up areas	80kph (50mph)
Built-up areas	50kph (31mph)

Driving on French autoroutes

The extra 10mph that you can drive on French autoroutes is quite a leap when you’re not used to it. You will suddenly notice that everyone is driving at that speed, and some, as in the UK, do much more. Take it easy, and maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front. If you look down the right-hand edge of autoroutes you’ll see a series of long lines. These are intended for you to judge the safe distance from the vehicle in front. At whatever speed you are driving, keep at least two complete lines between you and the next vehicle; and double that in wet conditions.

Toll Booths in France

Each autoroute network you drive on is managed by a separate company under government concession. Each network collects tolls for the upkeep and development of their motorway. Tolls are calculated for each section of the autoroute, and you pay accordingly (it’s useful to have small change ready but you can easily pay by card). The tariffs vary depending on the type on vehicle, but cars are all charged at the same rate. The tariff is always displayed at eye level, so you don’t have to worry about picking up on spoken French numbers, difficult at the best of times. But, if you’re driving on your own, you may have to scramble about a bit to reach across to the attendant. The important thing is not to get flustered just because there’s a queue of cars behind you. Put your handbrake on, take your seat belt off, and reach across. You’ll find that most attendants are understanding and helpful. And, if you need a receipt, then ‘Puis-j’avoir un reçu, s’il vous plaît’ works fine. Some of the autoroutes near the Channel ports have toll booths for right-hand drive vehicles. You’ll see the British flag above them, and this makes paying easier. But there aren’t many.

Towing in France

Vehicles with trailers or caravans, which together weigh a total of 3.5 tonnes, are subject to the same speed limits as vehicles without. So caravanning in France is not subject to the same restrictions as it is in the UK. The speed you can drive at is much higher – in theory up to 80mph – and you can drive in the outside lane on motorways. However, despite this freedom, caution is advised particularly if you are inexperienced.

Emergencies

You’ll find the orange SOS telephones every 2km along autoroutes and in many of the larger aires. But remember that the autoroutes are privately owned. If you have UK-based European Breakdown Cover, then the French mechanic (garagiste) is not allowed to come onto the autoroute or into a service area to collect you. You have to use the orange emergency phones, or somehow drive off the autoroute and onto a normal road – just a few metres will do. There is a difference: the emergency phones (which are free) go straight through to the police who will send an approved mechanic who will try to fix the problem or arrange to tow you to a garage. The charges for assistance on a motorway or express roads equipped with emergency telephones are fixed by the government. The price for a breakdown service on motorways and express routes done by an approved garage for a vehicle under 3.5 tonnes is €97 (£66) including all taxes. If the vehicle needs to be towed back to the garage, the price is €119.50 (£81) for a vehicle over 1.8 tons and under 3.5 tons. A 25 per cent supplement is added for assistance at night (from 6pm to 8am), at weekends and bank holidays. If you do break down, try and stop on the hard shoulder as far to the right as possible. Put your hazard lights on and find the nearest emergency phone. In the event of an emergency call 18 for the fire service; 17 for the police; 15 for an ambulance. From a mobile, dial 112 for all services.

Display panels on roads

Appearing about 2km before an exit, these electronic display panels give you information about the local road and traffic conditions, such as traffic hold-ups (bouchons) or roadworks (travaux).

Buying Petrol and filling up your car in France

As in Britain, service stations vary their fuel prices. On autoroutes you get advance information about the price of fuel at service stations ahead. But the differences on autoroutes tend to be nominal; so just fill up when you need it. At least the signs tell you how far you have to go before the next fuel station. The consequences of filling up with the wrong fuel don’t bear thinking about: petrol is essence; unleaded is sans plomb; diesel is gazole If you use LPG (Gepel/GPL) there are approximately 1,700 stations selling LPG in France, especially on motorways. There are some 24-hour automatic petrol pumps operated by credit cards. But be careful, these do not always accept international credit cards. A sign on the petrol pump usually stipulates this.

Traffic lights

The main difference between French and British traffic lights is the sequence from stop to go, which goes straight from red to green, missing out amber. During quiet periods some traffic lights at junctions flash amber from every direction. This means that nobody has right of way but any driver can proceed with caution. At temporary traffic lights, such as those at roadworks, only the red and amber lights are used. Red means stop while, again, the flashing amber light means proceed with caution.

Give way to the right?

There is a reasonable suspicion that the French system of priorité à droite (giving way to the traffic on your right) came into being when the government was controlled by garage mechanics. In built-up areas, the priorité still applies where signposted (see page 21) and you must give way to anybody coming out of a side turning on the right. However, the priorité rule no longer applies at roundabouts which means you give way to cars already on the roundabout: watch for signs and exercise great caution. The only problem with this is that there are still drivers around, especially in the rural areas, who are of a generation that still live by the old rules: be alert.

Useful driving phrases

Following the infringement of any French traffic laws, these phrases might come in useful:

I didn’t see the sign - Je n’ai pas vu ce panneau

I don’t understand what it says - Je ne comprends pas ce qu’il est écrit

I was blinded by oncoming lights - J’ai été aveuglé par des lumières approchantes

I was only doing ‘x’ kilometres an hour - Je ne roulais qu’a ‘x’ kilometres à l’heure

This is a hire car - C’est une voiture de location

I have held a full driving licence for 10 years - J’ai mon permis de conduire depuis dix ans

Can I see your driving documents? - Puis-je voir votre permis de conduire et les papiers de la voiture?

You were exceeding the speed limit by ‘x’ kph - Vous dépassiez la limite de vitesse de ‘x’ kilometres par heure

These items are prohibited - Ces articles sont interdits

I want you to follow me - Je veux que vous me suiviez

You cannot drive this vehicle any further - Vous ne pouvez plus conduire ce véhicule

You are under arrest - Vous êtes en état d’arrestation

I have not been drinking alcohol - Je n’ai pas bu d’alcool

I am going to search your vehicle - Je vais fouiller votre véhicule

The following phrases might come in useful if you break down:

My tyre has a puncture - J’ai un pneu crevé

My vehicle is on fire - Mon véhicule est en feu

I have collided with another vehicle - J’ai heurté un autre véhicule

I have run out of petrol - Je n’ai plus d’essence

The radiator is leaking - Le radiateur fuit

The fan belt has broken - Le courroie du ventilateur s’est cassée

The windscreen is broken - Le pare-brise est cassé

The clutch is broken - L’embrayage est cassé

The exhaust has fallen off - Le port d’échappement est tombé

I need medical assistance - J’ai besoin d’aide médicale

I require the assistance of the police - J’ai besoin de l’aide de la police

I require the assistance of the fire service - J’ai besoin de l’aide des pompiers

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