Thread: Driving in France

If you're driving in France your checklist requirements are:

• A valid, full UK driving licence - both the photo card and paper counterpart
• A GB sticker clearly displayed on the back of your car - unless your car has 'Euro-plates' (number-plates that show a circle of 12 stars on a blue background)
• Your motor insurance certificate
• Headlamp converters (stickers you put on your headlights when you're driving on the right, so your lights don't dazzle motorists coming the other way)
• As of 1st July 2012 it became illegal to drive in France without a NF-approved (Norme Française) breathalyser in your car. Drivers who fail to comply with the law risk having to pay on the spot fines of 11 euros (£9), although the police are operating a grace period until November.
• A warning triangle and reflective jacket for use if you break down or have to pull over to change a wheel or deal with any other problems. The reflective jacket must be kept inside the vehicle (not in the boot) so you can reach it without exiting the vehicle. If you don't have these, you could be fined around €90.

You must also:

• Be 18 or over
• Wear your seatbelt at all times (this applies to everyone in the car)
• Wear a crash helmet if you're riding a motorcycle

It's a good idea to have:

• Spare bulbs for your car's external lights
• A fire extinguisher
• A first aid kit
• A Green Card - it's a useful back-up to your motor insurance documents and shows you've got the minimum legal level of cover. If you'd like to find out more, contact your insurance company
• A Camping Card International to give you additional proof of identity, third party liability insurance, plus discounts at a wide range of campsites and tourist attractions. Find out more here

Other things you should know:

• When driving through France, you'll have to pay motorway tolls - often these are automated barriers, so take plenty of change
• It's illegal to carry any radar detection equipment, whether or not it's switched on
• Petrol, diesel and LPG are readily available at most filling stations. You can also find lead replacement petrol (LRP) - it's called 'supercarburant'
• Children under 10 can't travel in the front seat
• The speed limit is 50kph in towns, 80-100kph on open roads and 110-130kph on motorways
• If you're caught speeding, you could be given a hefty on-the-spot fine and your car and licence could be confiscated there and then
• The drink-driving limit is 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood - lower than the UK limit of 80mg per 100ml
• You should only use your horn in an emergency
• If you want the car in front to give way, flash your headlights
• In built-up areas, if there's no yellow diamond sign, you must give way to any cars coming out of a side turning on the right
• The last car in a queue of slow-moving traffic must use their hazard lights as a warning

Useful guides and maps

Michelin green tourist guide - France
Michelin - National Map France
Michelin Motoring Atlas: France
Michelin Motoring Atlas: Europe

I was not simply known that traffic in France is quite risky and difficult :)
Its really good and impressive. In this way we reduces the chances of hazards and human losses. Restrictions must be very tough and applicable at any cost. In fact it is for the safety of people and it is not the inconvenience.

Thanks for the useful information .