France Driving Guide
Your Driving Guide for France
Our France driving guide outlines the most essential requirements for driving in France. Whether you’re planning a tour of the D-Day beaches, a road trip to French wine regions, or even a champagne route tour, here are the key things you need to plan your perfect trip and prepare for hassle-free driving in France.
Planning to take your bike or motorcycle to France? Discover everything you need to know about cycling and motorbiking in France.
Can I drive to Paris?
If you’re planning to drive to Paris, it’s easy to reach from any of our French ports. Whether you set off from our ports in Dunkirk, Calais or Dieppe, bring your car or motorhome on board, and enjoy no luggage restrictions, the option to bring your pets, and plenty to do on board including Duty Free shopping and restaurants for a bite to eat.
Once you’ve arrived, you can begin your trip straight away! The drive to Paris only takes a few hours, so you’ll be in the capital in no time. To drive from Calais, Dunkirk, or Dieppe to Paris, you'll mainly use motorways like the A1, A16, or A13, depending on your starting point.
Expect heavy traffic in Paris, especially during rush hours, and parking can be tricky, so consider using underground car parks or park-and-ride facilities.
Discover our ferries to France or plan your city break to Paris from Calais or Dunkirk to start exploring one of the world’s most magical cities at your own leisure.
What do I need for driving in France?
Before driving in France, ensure you have all essential items with you. If you’re wondering what you need to drive in France, here are a few must-haves for your France driving kit:
- Headlight converters and a UK sticker, unless the registration plates have the UK logo on them
- A valid UK driving licence
- Car registration documents
- Proof of car insurance
- A breathalyser kit
- A warning triangle
- A high visibility jacket or vest, stored within reach of the driver
In certain areas, including Paris and Lille, you’ll need a clean air sticker showing that your car sits in a low emissions category. Failure to display this sticker, known as a Crit’Air vignette, could result in on-the-spot fines.
Is there a speed limit in France?
Speed limits in France vary depending on the type of road you’re driving on and the weather conditions. Be aware that road signs showing distances and speed limits in France use kilometres and metres rather than miles.
Here’s a breakdown of the speed limits in France:
| Road type | Speed limit (dry weather) | Speed limit (wet weather) |
|---|---|---|
| Motorways | 130km/h or 80mph | 110km/h or 68mph |
| Dual carriageways | 110km/h or 68mph | 100km/h or 62mph |
| A and B roads | 80km/h or 50mph | 80km/h or 50mph |
| Main roads in urban areas | 50km/h or 30mph | 50km/h or 30mph |
Other conditions like thick fog also reduce the speed limit, and a new limit of 50km/h may apply on all roads until the fog lifts and visibility improves. Any changes to speed limits will be clearly displayed on signs.
If you’re driving a motorhome or caravan, extra speed limits may apply. If the total weight of your vehicle is less than 3.5 tonnes, you can follow the usual speed limits. If the total weight is above 3.5 tonnes, the limit for driving on the motorway is 90km/h.
What are the legal requirements for driving in France?
When driving in France, there are several rules of the road to keep in mind. UK drivers should be aware that tolls are common on French motorways, so carry some cash or a credit card for payment when driving through France, in case your route takes you via a toll road.
Wearing seatbelts is a legal requirement for driving in France, and you could receive an on-the-spot fine for disobeying this law. Additionally, it is illegal to use mobile phones or headphones while driving in France. Any screens for entertainment purposes must be out of sight of the driver.
In France, using speed camera detectors when driving is forbidden, and you must turn off built-in speed camera warnings. The police can issue on-the-spot fines for noncompliance. When travelling with children, children under 10 must travel in an approved child seat suitable for their age and size, and they may not travel in the front seats of a vehicle.
Additional information
- Dial 112 anywhere in Europe to be connected to emergency services in the country you’re visiting.
- The international red-amber-green traffic light system is used in France. If you see a red light accompanied by a yellow arrow, you can drive on in the direction of the arrow.
- Overtake on the left.
- At intersections, give way to vehicles approaching on the right.
- Using a horn is generally prohibited in built-up areas, apart from in emergency situations.
