Driving abroad
Driving in France: the rules UK drivers forget
Your UK photocard licence is enough, and the roads are as safe as the UK's. Drive on the right. You need a Crit'Air sticker to drive into low-emission zones in Paris, Lyon and other cities, and speed camera alerts are illegal.
- Very safe roads
- Generally safe
- Take care
- High risk
French autoroutes are fast, smooth and mostly tolled. Allow €60 to €80 in tolls from Calais to the south. The rural routes nationales are free and much prettier.
Where driving differs
- Paris and big citiesTake care
Crit'Air zones, heavy traffic and scooters on all sides. Park and take the Métro.
- AutoroutesVery safe roads
Tolled, well kept, 130km/h limit (110 in rain).
- Rural villagesVery safe roads
Watch for 'priorité à droite': traffic from the right may have priority.
Kit to carry
Driving your own car, you need a warning triangle, a hi-vis vest within reach of each passenger, headlamp beam adjusters and a UK sticker. Hire cars come equipped.
Rules that catch Brits out
- Priorité à droite: in some towns and rural junctions, traffic from the right has priority unless signs say otherwise.
- Crit'Air stickers: Paris, Lyon, Grenoble and other cities have low-emission zones. Order the sticker online from the official site before you go.
- Speed cameras are everywhere, and sat nav camera alerts are banned.
- Headphones are banned while driving, including one earbud.
Motorway tips
Péage booths take cards, though some unmanned lanes don't accept every card. A Bip&Go or Ulys toll tag lets you use the faster 't' lanes. Aires every 20km or so have toilets, picnic tables and often fuel. Fuel is usually cheaper at supermarket stations than on the autoroute.
Before you go
- Order your Crit'Air sticker only from the official French government site.
- Emergency number: 112.
Official advice: FCDO road safety advice for France
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