Driving in France
It is essential that motorists get to grips with these differences before taking a tour, in order to stay as safe as possible when using roads in France.
To make the practice as effortless as possible we have outlined all of the information you need to know in one handy guide.
Here are some quick links to help you hop to the guide's different sections:
A summary of the latest regulations
If you are driving a vehicle or railing a motorcycle in France please take note of the latest regulations:
- For people that have less than three years of practice, the alcohol limit is 0.Two grams per litre. For experienced drivers and motorcyclists (more than three years' practice) the limit is 0.Five grams per litre. Both are lower than the UK limit of 0.8 grams per litre.
- All drivers and riders have been prohibited from wearing headsets and headphones whilst driving, be it for music purposes or for phone calls. However, this does exclude motorcycle helmets that have integrated systems.
- As of January 2016, motorcyclists are required to have reflective jackets to be worn in the event of a breakdown or an emergency.
- Paris has introduced a Low Emission Zone which this means that albeit diesel and petrol lorries and buses made before one thousand nine hundred ninety seven have already been banned in Paris, also from July 2016, petrol and diesel cars registered before one thousand nine hundred ninety seven will also be banned from 8am to 8pm on weekdays. By 2020, only vehicles made in or after two thousand eleven will be permitted.
- You now need a Crit'Air sticker displayed on your car when travelling to certain cities. It costs £Trio.60 and drivers face an on-the-spot fine of almost £120 if they don’t have one.
Going away? Recall to take RAC Travel Insurance with you.
Essential information
In an emergency
Significant: As French motorways are privately managed, you are not permitted to request your own assistance company to attend to you if you break down. If you break down you should use the orange emergency telephones which are situated every 2km along main roads and motorways to call the police or the official breakdown service operating in that area. Alternatively, if no orange telephone is available motorists should call the emergency services be dialling 112.
You will be towed to a safe designated area where, in the case of those with RAC European Breakdown Cover, you can then be met by your chosen breakdown provider.
Charges for assistance on a motorway are immobilized by the Government and are reviewed and revised each year. For the most part the Government-appointed towing service that tows you from the motorway do permit the RAC to pay them directly, however it is at the towing company's discretion. If you are an RAC customer and are asked to pay, please keep your receipt in order to be refunded by the RAC’s European customer care team.
The cost for recovery, correct as of one April 2017, is:
- €123.90 for vehicles 1.8 tonnes or under or €185.85 inbetween the hours of Legitimate:00 and 08:00, weekends and bank holidays
- €153.21 for vehicles Three.5t or under or €229.82 inbetween the hours of Eighteen:00 and 08:00, weekends and bank holidays
- For vehicles over Three.5t, the cost is at the towing service’s discretion