France

Capital Paris · € EUR · +33

Drives on the
right

Last reviewed 2026-05-10 by AI-draft → Semir K review. Always verify with official sources before travelling — see references at the bottom of the page.

Rules of the road

Urban speed limit
50 km/h
Rural speed limit
80 km/h
Motorway speed limit
130 km/h (wet 110)
Alcohol limit (BAC)
0.05 g/L (novice 0.02)
Minimum driving age
18
Headlights by day
Tunnel
Mobile phone
Hands-free only — even hands-free use can result in a fine if police judge it distracting.
Dashcam legal
Yes
Radar detector legal
No
On-the-spot fines
Yes

Child seats: Children under 10 cannot travel in the front. Approved restraint required up to 10 yrs / 135cm.

  • Speed-camera detectors and apps that warn of specific cameras are illegal — generic 'danger zone' alerts (Waze, Coyote) are tolerated.
  • Default rural limit was reduced from 90 to 80 km/h in 2018; some départements have reverted to 90 — observe signs.
  • On the spot fines: ~€135 for most moving offences; major speeding seizes the licence on the spot.

Mandatory equipment

Warning triangle
Required
Hi-vis vest
Required × 1
First-aid kit
Not required
Fire extinguisher
Not required
Breathalyser
Not required
Spare bulbs
Not required
Headlamp converters (RHD)
Required

Snow chains / winter tyres: Loi Montagne II: in 48 designated mountain départements, winter tyres OR snow chains are mandatory 1 Nov–31 Mar.

Hi-vis note: Must be reachable from inside the cabin (not in the boot).

  • Breathalyser was mandatory until 2020 — no longer required, but recommended.
  • Crit'Air vignette sticker required to enter LEZ zones (see Parking section).

Documents you must carry

Licences accepted
EU, UK, IDP, national
International Driving Permit
Not required
Insurance Green Card
Not required
Vehicle registration (V5C)
Required
MOT certificate
Not required
  • UK licences accepted without IDP for visits.
  • Insurance green card no longer required for UK vehicles since Aug 2021 (EU agreement).

Emergency & breakdown

EU 112
Active
Police
17
Ambulance
15
Fire
18

Roadside assistance

Embassies & consulates: official directory.

Fuel & EV charging

Petrol 95 (avg)
€1.85/L
Diesel (avg)
€1.78/L
LPG (avg)
€0.95/L

EV plug standards: Type2, CCS, CHAdeMO, Tesla.

Major networks: Ionity, Tesla Supercharger, Allego, TotalEnergies, Engie Vianeo, Power Dot.

  • Motorway service areas have rapid chargers; book ahead in summer holiday peaks.
  • France leads continental Europe in CCS coverage; Type 2 standard for AC.

Parking, congestion & low-emission zones

Parking disc: Not generally required — Some town centres (zone bleue) require a free disc showing arrival time — buy at tabacs.

Low-emission zones

  • Paris (ZFE-m)Fine ~€68
    Crit'Air sticker required Mon–Fri 08:00–20:00 inside A86. Crit'Air 5 banned; tightening yearly.
  • Lyon (ZFE-m)Fine ~€68
    Crit'Air 4+ banned for cars 24/7 inside the M6/M7 perimeter.
  • GrenobleFine ~€68
    Crit'Air 5 banned for cars; tightening to Crit'Air 3+ progressively.
  • StrasbourgFine ~€68
    Crit'Air sticker required for Eurometropolis ZFE.
  • Marseille / AixFine ~€68
    Crit'Air 4+ banned in central perimeter.
  • Paid parking is enforced by photo-vehicle (LAPI) — no ticket on windscreen, fine arrives by post.
  • Forfait Post-Stationnement (FPS) replaces fines: ~€35–75 in most cities.

Ferries & major tunnels

Major ferry routes

Major tunnels

  • Mont Blanc Tunnel~€50 · FR↔IT. Class 1 ~€50 single, €62 return (24h).
  • Fréjus Tunnel~€50 · FR↔IT. Similar pricing to Mont Blanc.
  • Eurotunnel (Le Shuttle)~€100 · FR↔UK Calais–Folkestone. Vehicle on train, ~35 min.
  • Bison Futé colour-codes traffic peaks — avoid red/black days for cross-country journeys.
  • Holiday Saturdays in July/August see worst congestion on A7, A10, A6.

Tolls & vignettes

Toll system
Distance
Operator
Website

French motorways (autoroutes) are mostly tolled — operated by ASF, APRR, Sanef, Cofiroute and others. Pay at péage barriers by card, contactless or with a Liber-t/Bip&Go transponder. Average ~€0.10/km for cars; rises significantly for caravans and trucks.

Pets & border crossings

Pet passport / AHC
Required

EU pet passport, microchip, rabies vaccination required. UK arrivals need an AHC + tapeworm treatment for dogs.

  • Up to 5 pets per traveller for non-commercial movement.
  • Customs allowance for tobacco/alcohol applies on entry from non-EU.

References

Profile version 1. Last reviewed 2026-05-10 by AI-draft → Semir K review. Rules change frequently — verify with official sources before travelling.