Many of the rules of the road in France are similar to those in the UK – with the major exception that you drive on the right in France! Here are some points worth bearing in mind.
- It is compulsory to wear a seat belt front and rear (if fitted)
- It is compulsory for all children up to 10 years to travel in the back seat of a car and wear a seat belt or be strapped into a proper child seat
- Only adults and children from 10 years may sit in the front passenger seat
- Mobile telephones may not be used while driving except with a hands-free system
- It is compulsory to carry a driving licence, the car registration papers (called la carte grise in France) and insurance documents
- Third party insurance is compulsory
- One red warning triangle and one high-visibility vest must be carried in a vehicle. Failure to carry these items in the vehicle is punishable by a fine
- British driving licences are valid in France
- Car drivers can be flagged down and stopped at any time by French police
- On occasions, police set up road blocks and every driver is stopped. This happens particularly on Saturday nights on the edges of main towns
- Police can levy on-the-spot fines for incidents such as speeding, not wearing a seat belt and failing to obey a Stop sign. You can expect a fine from 60€ to 130€ to be paid immediately
- Drinking and driving is not worth it at any time but in France the penalties can be severe and immediate
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The rules of the road