Traffic rules are, in fact, almost the same as in Britain with the difference being that in France you drive on the right and not on the left ("serrez à droite" means keep to the right). Beware not to forget momentarily that you should be driving on the right, for instance after using a one-way street, a refuelling stop or at a T-junction.
Under the United Nations Conference Treaty on Road Traffic 1968 (which France ratified in May 1977), if a car satisfies the construction and uses regulations in its own country, it is acceptable in the country of the signatories.
An international distinguishing sign plate or sticker should be displayed as near as is reasonable to the national registration plate at the rear of the vehicle.
You must carry with you the original of the vehicle's registration document, a full valid national driving licence and a current insurance certificate (plus a letter of authorisation from the owner, if the vehicle is not registered in your name).
Before taking to the road in France, make sure you know the French highway code well. You will find the official text of the Highway Code at the website www.legifrance.gouv.frPrivate motor vehicles, motorcycles (with or without side-cars), motorised cycles and mopeds, may be imported temporarily into France, without customs documents on condition they are not registered in France. www.ambafrance-uk.org
Even in the mountains, winter motoring is not severely restricted.
Snow chains must be fitted to vehicles using snow-covered roads in compliance with the relevant road signs. Fines may be imposed for non-compliance. Snow chains can be hired from most tyre specialist garages in France (see Michelin red guide). Cheaper still, you can buy them from Hypermarkets, especially in mountain areas.
Studded tyres may be used from early November - end of March on vehicles weighing less than 3.5 tonnes. In bad weather conditions this period may be extended. Speed is limited to 90 km/h (56 mph). During the thaw temporary "thaw barriers" are erected on some roads, this is to prevent damage to the road surface especially by heavy vehicles.
INSURANCE FOR MOTORISTS GOING TO FRANCE
Vehicles registered in Great Britain are not obliged to show an international insurance certificate or green card, (article R211-27/ code des assurances), but proof of insurance may need to be shown when 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. Your British insurance will give you the minimum legal cover required in France: Third party (however third party in France is less than that in the UK).
If a car is rented in GB, the driver must make sure that he has informed the care hire company that the car will be exported to France, as some companies do not extend the insurance outside GB. He might be requested to show to the French police the rental agreement proving that the car is insured whilst on French territory.
If stopped by the police you only need to prove that the car is either yours or a company car, and not a rented car:
"Ma voiture n'est pas une voiture de location, et par conséquent n'a pas besoin de la carte internationale d'asurance".
Or if it is a rented car, please show the rental agreement:
"Ma voiture est une voiture de location. Voici le contrat de location qui prouve que je suis assuré en France".
The AA and RAC have special schemes for members, and the AA also has a scheme for non-members.
Special motor breakdown and travel insurance policies from Europ Assistance, the world leading Assistance Company:
Europ Assistance Sussex House, Perrymount Road Haywards Heath West Sussex, RH16 1DN www.europ-assistance.co.ukTel: 01444-442211 to arrange cover. Check with your travel agent if you are booking a package holiday. Generally, you should follow the same rules as for cars (The Vienna Convention also covers motorcycles, and customs rules are the same as those explained above).
The minimum age for mopeds up to 50cc built not to exceed 45 km/h is 14,no licence is required but riders aged between 14 and 16 years must pass a road safety test in order to be allowed to use mopeds. They must be covered by insurance and crash helmets must be worn. Cycle paths must be used when indicated by an additional panel on the sign for the cycle path. They are forbidden on motorways.
Hire of motorcycles 125cc, 50cc, mopeds, cycles and scooters in Paris SEJEM Tel: (0033) 144 93 04 03 Fax: 0033 144 93 06 03 E-mail contact@sejem.com Passengers: Passengers must wear crash helmets. Only one passenger may be carried on motorised cycles or bicycles (but not on the frame). Children under 5 years of age must be fastened in a special seat. All passengers must be covered by insurance.
MOTORWAYS
The road network is very well developed in France: nearly a million kilometres, of which almost 8,000 kilometres are motorways. There is usually a toll for motorways (autoroutes à péage). Because of their private financing, prices per km can vary. There are special exit booths for vehicles with accounts: télépéage automatique.
You will find orange emergency telephones every 2 km, parking and resting areas every 10 or 20 km. 24-hour petrol stations offer a basic maintenance service, and are located approximately every 40 km. Credit cards (Eurocard, MasterCard, Visa, Carte Bleue) are accepted as payment for tolls and at service stations.
The charges for assistance on a motorway are fixed by the Government.
Motorists can only call the police or the official breakdown service operating in that area, and cannot request assistance from their own company if they break down on a motorway. The same applies on the Paris périphérique. On the Paris périphérique panels indicate the time needed to reach the next exit (Porte) taking traffic jams into account.
To find out everything about toll charges, service stations, breakdown service rates, rest areas, restaurants, filling stations, and hotels along your route, and for details of your journey, consult the website www.autoroutes.fr. Drink and Drive: DON'T! The limit is 0.05% alcohol.
Random breath tests are frequent.
· 0.8mg/litre blood: you will have to go to court; maximum fine: 4.500€.
· 0.5 and 0.8mg /litre blood: standard fine: 135€.
Speeding fines:
· 50km/h: you will have to go to court; maximum fine: 1.500€
· 40km/h: you will have to go to court; maximum fine: 750€
· 30km/h: you will have to go to court; maximum fine: 135€
A new category of offence has been created in the penal code for drivers who "deliberately put the lives of others in danger". This applies when a third person has been put in direct danger of injury or death through the driver's disregard for safety precautions: 15.250€ for causing slight injuries and suspension of driving licence for a maximum of three years.
LPG gas (GPL). There are approximately 1.700 stations selling LPG in France, especially on motorways. www.gpl.frThere are some 24 hours automatic petrol pumps operated by credit cards. These do not always accept international credit cards. A sign on the petrol pump usually stipulates this.
Unless otherwise signposted and on dry roads:
· 130 km/h on toll motorways
· 110 km/h on dual carriageways and motorways without tolls
· 90 km/h on other roads
· 50 km/h in towns. Town name starts the limit, a bar through the town name is the derestriction sign.
On wet roads:
110 km/h on toll motorways
· 100 km/h on dual carriageways and motorways without tolls
· 80 km/h on other roads.
Speed limit of 50 km/h:
· On motorways in foggy conditions, when visibility is less than 50 m.
Cars towing a caravan: if the weight of the trailer exceeds that of the car, the speed limits are lower: 65 km/h if the excess is less than 30%, or 45km/h if the excess is more than 30%.
Please note: 1. During the first 3 years after passing your test, you must not exceed: · 80 km/h on roads · 100 km/h on urban motorways · 110 km/h on motorways. 2. On motorways there is a minimum speed limit of 80 km/h (or 50 mph) for vehicles travelling in the left lane (ie outside lane).
For details of speeding fines: see penalties section.
PRIORITÉ À DROITE AND OTHER ROAD SIGNS
In built-up areas, the priorité still applies 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.
  
Traffic on round about has priority.
Main road - You do have priority.
Written signs include: gravillons (loose chippings), chaussée déformée (uneven road and temporary surface), nids de poules (potholes), déviation (diversion). RAPPEL under a sign means a continuation of the restriction.
TACHOGRAPHS
All vehicles constructed and equipped to carry ten people or more, driver included (as specified in the registration certificate), must be fitted with a tachograph; further details from the British Department of Transport.
WEB SITES
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10 VITAL RULES TO REMEMBER
Ignoring these could lead to hefty on the spot fines - or worse. |
1 No-one is allowed to drive on a provisional licence. |
2 Minimum age to drive in France is 18, not 17. |
3 Seatbelts 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 penalized. |
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 Full or dipped headlights, as in UK, in poor visibility and at night. Sidelights only when the car is stationary. It is strongly advisable to have a complete spare-bulb kit (buy before you go) as 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. | |