Driving in France
Information below on the general rules and regulations of driving in France, valid licences,speed limits, priority and road conditions, using the autoroute, fuel (petrol, diesel and GPL), accidents, driving while intoxicated, registering a foreign car and buying and selling a car.
The minimum age in France to drive a car or motor bike over 80 CC is 18 years. Drivers must have a valid driving licence and be 18 years or older. The minimum age to drive a scooter or motor bike under 80 CC is 16 years.
Rules & Regulations
- Drive on the right in France
- It is compulsory to wear a seat belt front and rear (if fitted)
- It is compulsory for all children up to 10 years to travel in the back seat of a car and wear a seat belt or be strapped into a proper child seat. Only adults and children from 10 years may sit in the front passenger seat
- Mobile cellular telephones may not be used while driving except with a “handsfree” system
- It is compulsory to carry a driving licence, car registration papers (Carte Grise) and insurance documents. (These should be the original documents; keep copies separately.)
- Third party insurance is compulsory
- Driving with lights on by day is optional.
Warning triangle and safety jacket
By law, one red warning triangle and one high-visibility waistcoat/vest must be carried in vehicles from 1 July 2008. In the event of breakdown the driver must put on the safety jacket before leaving the vehicle, and then place the warning triangle 30 metres from the breakdown to warn approaching traffic. Failure to carry these items in the vehicle is punishable by a fine incurred per item not carried, though law enforcement officials were not imposing these fines prior to 1 October 2008.
- The triangle must conform to EU standards, evidence for which is the stamp E 27 R
- The high-visibility garment must conform to EU standards EN 471 or EN 1150, in order to conform with European Directive 89/686/EEC
- Further information from Sécurité routière: Click here (in French)
Licences
EU and EEA driving licences are valid in France provided no penalties have been issued to that licence.International Driving Licences (IDL) accompanied by a valid foreign licence (non-EU or EEA) are accepted in France. But once the licence holder has been resident in the country for one year the licence becomes invalid. If an exchange agreement exists with the issuing country it may be exchanged for a French one during the first year of residency. If there is no exchange agreement the driver must pass a full French driving examination to qualify for a French licence.
- For details on licence exchanges, see AngloINFO INFOrmation Page: Foreign Driving Licences in France
- For details on getting a licence see AngloINFO INFOrmation Page: French Driving Licences
