France

France

Currency in France
Euro

Languages in France
French

Time Difference in France
GMT +01:00

Speed Limits in France

• Built-up areas: 31mph/50kmh
• Outside towns/country area: 56mph/90kmh
• Priority roads/toll free motorways: 68mph/110kmh
• Toll motorways: 81mph/130kmh

Lower limits of 80km/h apply outside built up areas. 100km/h on dual carriageways and 110km/h on motorways apply in wet weather and to visiting drivers who have held their driving license for less than two years.

Speed limits should be reduced on stretches of motorway in built-up areas

Drinking and Driving in France
The blood alcohol limit is 50mg, barely 1 unit of alcohol. Please take our advice and don't drink alcohol if you're driving.

Tourist Information
France Tourist Information

Drivers should carry their driving license, insurance details and rental agreement.

Essential Driving Equipment in France

From 1st October 2008 all drivers in France, including drivers of vehicles registered outside of France must have one warning triangle and one reflective jacket in their vehicle. Please ensure that your rental car has been supplied with one.

The fine for not carrying either items of safety equipment varies between 90 and 135 euros.

All vehicles should also be equipped with replacement bulbs.

By law, snow chains must be fitted to vehicles that are using snow-covered roads, in compliance with the relevant road sign.

Devices containing a screen that can distract a driver must be positioned in places where the driver is unable to be seen. This excludes GPS systems. It is prohibited to touch or programme the device unless parked in a safe place. Failure to comply with this regulation carries a fine of up to 1500 Euros and the vehicle may be confiscated.

Seat belts are compulsory for front and rear passengers.

Children under the age of 10 are not allowed to travel in the front seats of vehicles, unless there are no rear seats or the rear seats are already occupied with children under 10 or there are no seat belts. In these cases, a child should not be placed in the front seats with their back to the road if the vehicle is fitted with a passenger airbag unless it is deactivated. Children must travel in an approved child seat or restraint that has been adapted to their size. A baby weighing up to 13kg must be carried in the rear facing baby seat. A child aged between 9 and 18kg must be seated in a child seat and a child weighing from 15kg to 10 years can use a booster seat with a seat belt or a harness. It is the driver's responsibility to ensure all passengers under 18 are properly restrained.

Dipped headlights should be used in poor daytime visibility. The French government recommends that 4+ wheeled vehicles use dipped headlights day and night.

France

Traffic on major roads always has priority. When two roads cross, traffic coming from the right has priority (as warned by the sign 'danger priorite a droite'). When there is no sign, it is customary to give way to the right.

In built-up areas, give way to incoming traffic from the right "priorite a droite." At sign-posted roundabouts where you see the words "Vous n'avez pas la priorite" or "Cedez le passage", traffic travelling on the roundabout is given priority. Where no such sign exists, traffic entering the roundabout has priority.

When a driver flashes his headlights in France, he is usually signalling that he has priority and you should give way. This can be confusing to US drivers, as it means the opposite in the US.

You can be fined for stopping for someone waiting at a zebra crossing, as it is regarded as holding up traffic. The crossings indicate where the best places to cross are.

Never overtake a tram when it is stationary and there are passengers entering or exiting.

Traffic lights don't show amber after red. Flashing amber signifies to continue with caution.

Drivers should always park on the right hand-side at night.

Sounding the horn is prohibited in built up areas unless in cases of immediate danger.

France

On the spot fines or 'deposits' are severe. An official receipt should be issued. Illegally parked vehicles may be towed away or impounded.

Useful French Phrases

When travelling abroad it is always a good idea to learn some basic phrases in the local language. To ensure that your trip runs smoothly, we have compiled a few phrases that you may find useful during the course of your travels.

• Rental Car: Location
• Diesel: Gazole
• Unleaded Petrol: essence/sans plomb
• Hello: Bonjour!
• Thank You: Merci
• I don\'t understand: Je ne comprends pas
• How much is this?: C\'est combien?
• Goodbye: Au revoir