France summary
Key facts
Official language(s)
Currency
Population
Time zone
Calling code
Drive on the
Member of the EU
French
Euro
65,073,482
GMT + 1
33
Right
Yes
Local weather
Paris
-
Thu12° | 21° - Fri12° | 22°
- Sat13° | 24°
-
Sun12° | 21°
Speed limits
- Motorways:
- 130kmh (80mph) 110kmh (68mph) when wet
- Open roads:
- If dual carriageway with central reservation - 110kmh (68mph), otherwise 90kmh (55mph)
- Towns:
- 50kmh (31mph)
Road Safety
-
Alcohol limit:
- 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood
- Severe penalties for driving under the influence of alcohol apply including fines, imprisonment and suspension of driving licence
- Alcohol can only be transported in the boot of a vehicle
-
Use of mobile phone whilst driving:
- It is illegal to use a hand held mobile phone when driving and can result in an on the spot fine of € 35 and 2 points on a French driving licence
- It is legal to use a hands free unit
-
Seat belts:
- Compulsory for front and rear seated passengers if already fitted
- Children under 6 months may sit in a child seat in the front of the vehicle but ALL other children under 10 must sit in the rear of the vehicle
- All children under the age of 10 MUST sit in a child/booster seat (in the rear of the vehicle) or the driver will be liable for a fine
-
Traffic lights regulations:
- Red – Stop
- Amber – Stop or slow down if car can’t be stopped safely
- Green – Go
Costs
- Road tolls:
- Roads that charge a toll can be recognised by the words “péage” or ”par péage” on blue signs
- A ticket is collected at the start of the journey at a gate machine on the motorway
- Tolls are paid at the exit point
- On the spot fines:
- On the spot fines and deposits can be very hefty
- An official receipt should always be obtained
General motoring advice
- Rush hour in built up areas:
- 0700-0930hrs
- 1700-2000hrs
- Fuel:
- Main fuel stations are open 24hrs a day
- Some fuel stations have automatic pumps operated by credit cards
- A sign on the pump will indicate which cards are accepted
- Parking advice:
- Severe parking restrictions have been implemented in Paris and parking is now forbidden in many streets
- Yellow lines mean absolutely no parking
- Parking is allowed on one side of the street only and signs will indicate which side to park
- Pay and display machines are common throughout France, otherwise parking is normally free between 1900-0900hrs, at weekends and on public holidays
- Larger cities also operate a blue zone system, whereby parking discs or tickets must be displayed, for a maximum stay of 1.5hrs