Driving in France Requirements: A Comprehensive Guide
A holiday in France involving travelling around by car is a truly amazing experience. The countryside and sites of France are stunning, and there is no other way to experience it all in a dedicated length of time than driving. Whether it’s your first road trip to France or your tenth, this comprehensive guide is an easy way to ensure that you have everything ready for your trip and you are fully up to date and meet the driving in France requirements before your visit. Continue reading to learn more about what to take driving in France, French road rules, and more.
Your car – what you must take when driving in France
Under French road regulations, certain safety equipment must be carried in your vehicle at all times. If you are stopped by police or fail to use the equipment correctly in the event of a breakdown, you may face on-the-spot fines.
- Warning triangle – You must carry a warning triangle and use it when safe to do so if your vehicle becomes immobilised and presents a hazard to other traffic.
- Reflective safety jacket/hi-vis vest – At least one CE-marked reflective jacket must be kept within easy reach inside the vehicle (not packed in the boot). It must be worn before exiting your vehicle following a breakdown or emergency stop.
- Headlamp beam deflectors (or headlight adjustment) – Vehicles driven from the UK must prevent headlights from dazzling oncoming traffic. Depending on your car, this may require beam deflectors or switching your headlights into a continental driving mode. Headlamp Deflectors can now be purchased through your online account for €9.50 plus local tax.
- UK identifier on your vehicle – UK-registered vehicles must display a UK identifier. A UK sticker is not needed if your number plate already includes the UK designation with the Union Flag. Otherwise, a UK sticker must be displayed. If you require a UK sticker, it can be purchased through your online account for €4.50 plus local tax.
- Vehicle documents – You should carry:
- Driving licence
- Vehicle registration document (V5C)
- Motor insurance details
- Passport/travel ID
Additional points to be aware of:
- Breathalysers are no longer required – This is still widely listed online, but drivers are no longer fined for not carrying one.
- Spare bulbs are recommended, not legally required – Although carrying replacement bulbs remains sensible.
- Low-emission zones (Crit’Air stickers) – Some French cities require a Crit’Air emissions sticker to enter certain areas. Check your route before travelling.
- Winter equipment – If travelling in certain mountainous regions between November and March, winter tyres or snow chains may be mandatory.
In addition, if you are riding a motorcycle at any point during your trip, you need a helmet with suitable reflective elements.
Basic rules for driving in France
Priority and giving way on French roads
As a general rule at junctions and intersections in France, you must give way to vehicles approaching from the right unless road signs or markings indicate otherwise. This rule, known as priorité à droite (“priority to the right”), still applies in some areas and can catch foreign drivers out.
When approaching roundabouts, vehicles already on the roundabout normally have priority. However, always check road signs, as priority should never be assumed.
Emergency vehicles displaying flashing lights and using sirens should always be given priority whenever it is safe to do so.
Overtaking
In France, traffic drives on the right-hand side of the road and overtaking is generally carried out on the left.
In heavy or slow-moving traffic where vehicles are travelling in marked lanes, it is acceptable for traffic in a faster-moving lane to pass vehicles in slower lanes on the right. This is considered a flow of traffic rather than formal overtaking.
Trams are common in many French towns and cities. You may only overtake a moving tram on the left on one-way streets where there is insufficient room on the right. In all other situations, overtaking a tram should be carried out on the right.
France’s scenic countryside and mountainous regions often involve steep roads and gradients. On narrow mountain roads or steep inclines, vehicles travelling downhill are generally expected to give way to vehicles travelling uphill, as restarting on a gradient can be more difficult.
Use of the horn
In France, a horn should only be used to warn other road users of your presence or to prevent immediate danger.
Within built-up areas, unnecessary use of the horn is prohibited. Between sunset and sunrise, drivers should generally use headlight flashes rather than the horn to warn other road users, except in cases of immediate danger.
Can I use headphones while driving in France?
Drivers are not permitted to wear headphones, earphones or any device placed in or over the ears while driving in France. This restriction has been in force since 2015 and applies even when using a mobile phone hands-free function through headphones.
If caught, drivers may receive a fine and penalty points.
Hands-free systems integrated into the vehicle, such as Bluetooth car systems, remain permitted.
Vehicle towing
Rules for towing trailers and caravans depend on your driving licence category and the total authorised mass of the vehicle and trailer combination.
Drivers with older UK licences issued before 1 January 1997 may have broader towing entitlements. However, licence categories and towing rules have changed over time, so it is important to check your individual licence details before travelling.
Towing a broken-down motorcycle or vehicle is permitted only over short distances and in emergency situations. On French motorways, only authorised recovery operators are permitted to recover or tow vehicles, meaning roadside assistance must be contacted if you break down.
Before travelling, always check that your insurance policy covers towing and breakdown assistance in France.
Breaking down
We hope that on your travels you don’t break down, but unfortunately, these things can sometimes happen. If this does happen and you’re on the motorway or a toll road but sure to use an orange emergency roadside phone before calling your breakdown company. A local firm will then assist you, tolling your vehicle into a recovery zone, where you will then be able to contact your relevant breakdown cover provider.
Parking
The parking rules in France are significantly different from those in the UK. Here is a summary of what parking lines mean:
- 1. A single yellow line
This means that stopping or parking is not allowed. However, if the line is broken, you can stop briefly to load or unload, but no parking is allowed.
- 2. White dotted lines
Parking is free in areas marked by this.
- 3. No markings
Free parking is available.
- 4. Blue zone areas (indicated by a sign)
Free parking available for a designated amount of time which will be highlighted on a nearby sign. You’ll need a parking disc which can be purchased via your online account for €7.00 plus local tax.