France |  |
Updated: 2 May 2012 18:54:13
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France Driving
Information
France is the number 1 holiday destination in the world for tourists and each year more than 14 million British nationals vist France, many of them taking their cars so the following advice is a godsend. From holidays to the Cote D Azur, shortbreaks to Disneyland Resort Paris or a Ski holiday in the French Alpes or Pyrennes, France seems to push all the right buttons for holidaymakers.
If you are looking to drive in France then you you must be at least 18 years old and have a valid UK driving
licence, insurance and vehicle documents. Failure to comply may lead to a
fine and/or your vehicle being impounded. You are not permitted to
drive at 17 even if you hold a valid licence. If you do not own the
vehicle you are driving, you are advised to obtain written permission
from the registered owner.
Driving in France is considered safe and in 2008 there were 4,275
road deaths in France.
This equates to 6.7 road deaths per 100,000 of population and compares
favourbaly against the UK average of 4.3 per 100,000.
Tiredness was a big contributer to this figure and due to the size of the country many drivers will undertake long journeys cross country. If you are driving long distances then care should be taken to plan your journey and to take regular breaks. Please dont become a statistic for the sake of a break.
Fuel in France is similar to the UK and unleaded petrol, diesel and LPG
are all available. Petrol stations will allow you to top up a jerry can but note that carrying fuel in one of these containers is forbidden by the ferry and Eurotunnel operators. A new type of
fuel, the SP95-E10 which contains a 10% Ethanol mix is now availbale throughout France but this fuel is not suitable for use in all cars and you should check
compatibility with your manufacturer before using. Many European Breakdown Cover policies will not provide cover if you mistakenly refuel you vehicle with the wrong fuel.
Although the French like a glass of "Vin" at lunchtime they take there drinking and driving laws very seriously. If the level of alcohol in the bloodstream is 0.05 per cent or more, severe penalties are imposed include fines, imprisonment and/or confiscation of the driving licence. The same applies to diving under the influence of drugs and saliva drug tests will be used to detect drivers under the influence of drugs. Penalties are severe and are similar to those of drink driving.
It is compulsory in France for front and rear seat
occupants to wear seat belts, if fitted. It
is the driver’s responsibility to ensure all passengers under 18 are
appropriately restrained. Children under the age of 10 are not
permitted to travel on the front seats of vehicles. They must
travel in an approved child seat or restraint adapted to their size. A
baby up to 13kg must be carried in a rear facing baby seat. A child
between 9 and 18kg must be seated in a child seat and a child from 15kg
up to 10 years can use a booster seat with a seat belt or a harness.
The French Police take speeding seriously and their are grave consequences for non compliance. Holders of EU driving licenses exceeding the speed limit by more than
40 km/h will have their licenses confiscated on the spot by the police. In built-up areas the limit is 50 km/hr (31 mph) ,
outside built-up areas 90 Km/hr (56 mph). 110 km/hr (68 mph) on dual carriageways separated by a central reservation and 130Km/hr (80 mph) on motorways. Lower speed limits do apply in wet weather and to visiting
motorists who have held a driving licence for less than two years.
If you are looking to beat the Police at their own game, dont try. In-car radar detectors are
illegal in France whether they are in use or not. On-the-spot fines are severe and can involve a fine of up to 1500
Euros and the vehicle and/or device being confiscated. Other apparatus such as televisions,
video, DVD equipment which could potentially distract a driver should be positioned so the driver
is unable to see them. This excludes GPS systems. It is prohibited to
touch or program the device unless parked in a safe place.
Motorcycles driving in France are required to raise their profile to other road users and the use of dipped headlights during the day is compulsory. The wearing of crash helmets is also compulsory for both driver and passenger of any two-wheel motorised vehicle. Dipped headlights is recommended for all vehciles and must be used in poor daytime visibility. It is highly
recommended by the French Government that 4x4 wheeled vehicles use dipped
he adlights day and night.
It is compulsory
in France to carry the following safety equipment within any vehicle
with more than 2 wheels. A Warning triangle, Reflective Jacket and snow chains. A Spare
bulb kit is recommended.
In terms of general driving habaits the following are worth noting. In built-up areas give way to traffic coming from the right “Priorité a droite”. At signed roundabouts bearing the words "Vous n'avez pas la priorité" or "Cédez le passage" traffic on the roundabout has priority. Where no such sign exists traffic entering the roundabout has priority. Overtaking stationary trams is prohibited when passengers are either getting or off the tram. In built up areas the use of the horn is prohibited except in cases of immediate danger.
The team at European Breakdown Cover hope that this information has been useful and wish you "Bon Voyage" on your next trip to France
For General European driving tips click here