Tips for Driving In France

Overview
In France motorists drive on the right side of the road.

Essential safety equipment:
• Warning triangle
• Headlamp converters

Recommended safety equipment:

• Fire extinguisher
• Spare bulbs
• Reflective vest
• Torch
• First aid kit

Minimum driving age
The minimum driving age using is 18.

Seatbelt requirements
Passengers must wear front and rear seatbelts where fitted.

Children passengers
Children under 10 are not allowed in the front and they must use a proper safety belt or system according to their weight in the rear of the car (i.e. a child seat if they weigh between 9 and 15 kg). Over this weight they can use seat belts with a booster cushion.

Drink driving limits
Limits are 50mg/100ml. If you are over this you could face a fine or even imprisonment.

Speed limits
• Urban: 50 kph (31 mph)
• Open road: 90 kph (56 mph)
• Motorway: 110-130 kph (68-81 mph)

There is also a minimum speed limit of 80kph (50mph) on the outside lane of motorways during the day and on level ground. Additionally, the Paris ring road (périphérique) is subject to a 80kph (50mph) limit.

Speed limits in towns and villages start at the place name sign and continue to the crossed out place name sign – do not expect any other warning.

Lights
Dipped headlights are meant to be used when outside towns in any weather. Dipped headlights must be used in poor daytime visibility. Motorcycles over 125cc must use dipped headlights during the day at all times.

Fuel
All grades of unleaded petrol, diesel and LPG are available as well as lead substitute additive. Leaded no longer exists. It is allowed to carry petrol in a can. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted, although they probably won't work at automatic pumps, which are often the only pumps in rural areas open out-of-hours, which also means lunch-time from noon to 3pm.

Tolls
Most motorways are have a toll payment (péage). The fee is paid on leaving the motorway and is based on the type of vehicle and the distance driven. Most credit cards are accepted. Sterling notes can occasionally be used but change is given in Euros. Avoid the barriers marked LIBER-T, these are reserved for drivers who have a subscribed pass and do not need to stop.

Parking
Parking restrictions are indicated by signs and yellow markings on the kerb with dotted outlines for parking spaces (those marked 'payant' require payment). Parking meters are common in towns as are blue zones where you need to purchase and display a permit.

Fines
On a toll road the time you enter is printed on the ticket and your speed can be checked on exit and a fine may be imposed if it calculates that you have sped. If you pay this fine "on-the-spot" then you will not incur any of the surcharges for delayed payment, which can become very expensive. Ensure an official receipt is issued by the officer collecting the fine.

Mobile phones
It is illegal to use a phone whilst driving.

Emergency numbers
Dial 112 anywhere in the EU to reach the emergency services.

Local numbers:
• Ambulance: 15
• Police: 17
• Fire: 18

Other useful information
Radar detectors for speeding are illegal in France whether in use or not. You could be liable to a prison sentence, a fine, confiscation of the device and the vehicle if you have one so make sure you do not carry one in your vehicle.

Even in the mountains, snow chains must be fitted to vehicles using snow-covered roads in compliance with the relevant road signs - fines may be imposed for vehicles not using them