Road Rules & Toll systems in France

If you’re planning to drive in France, here are the key road rules to be aware of:

General Driving Rules

• Drive on the right-hand side of the road.

• Seatbelts are mandatory for all passengers.

• Hands-free kits required: It is illegal to use a mobile phone while driving (even with a Bluetooth headset). Only fully integrated car systems are allowed.

• Headlights: Use dipped headlights in poor visibility and at night.

• Priority to the right (“Priorité à droite”): At some intersections, vehicles coming from the right have priority unless signs indicate otherwise.

• Minimum driving age: 18 years (even if you have a license from a country with a lower age limit).

• Children in cars:

• Under 10 years old must sit in the back seat.

• Children under 135 cm (4’5”) must use an appropriate car seat.

Speed Limits (unless otherwise posted)

Road Type Normal Conditions Wet Weather

Motorways (AutoRoute) 130 km/h (80 mph) 110 km/h (68 mph)

Dual Carriageways 110 km/h (68 mph) 100 km/h (62 mph)

Main Roads 80 km/h (50 mph) 70 km/h (43 mph)

Urban Areas 50 km/h (31 mph) 50 km/h (31 mph)

• Lower limits apply for new drivers (first three years: max 110 km/h on motorways).

• In case of high pollution levels, limits may be temporarily reduced.

Alcohol & Drug Limits

• Standard alcohol limit: 0.5 g/L of blood (lower than UK).

• For new drivers (less than 3 years): 0.2 g/L (essentially zero tolerance).

• Drug use: Strictly illegal while driving, and roadside saliva tests are common.

Mandatory Equipment in Your Car

• Reflective vest & warning triangle (must be accessible, not in the trunk).

• Spare bulbs (recommended).

• Breathalyser (technically required, but no fine for not having one).

• Winter tires/snow chains (mandatory in mountain regions from Nov 1 to Mar 31).

Toll System in France

France has an extensive toll road (péage) system, mainly on motorways (autoroutes), which are privately operated.

How Tolls Work

• Most tolls are distance-based:

• Take a ticket when entering the motorway.

• Pay when exiting (or at a toll station).

• Some tolls have fixed prices, like bridges and tunnels.

Payment Methods

• Cash (though some booths are now card-only).

• Credit/debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, but not always American Express).

• Télépéage (Liber-t tag): A prepaid electronic toll tag that allows automatic passage through tolls.

Toll Costs

• Vary by distance and vehicle type.

• Example: Paris to Nice costs €80-€100 in tolls for a car.

• Use Autoroutes.fr to calculate tolls.

Avoiding Tolls

• Use national roads (Routes Nationales – RN) and smaller D roads (Routes Départementales – D).

• These roads are slower but free, with more scenic routes.

Other Road Considerations

• ZFE (Low Emission Zones): Some cities (Paris, Lyon, etc.) require a Crit’Air sticker for vehicles, based on emissions.

• Roundabouts: Generally, cars inside the roundabout have priority.

• Speed Cameras: Fixed and mobile cameras are common, with heavy fines for speeding.

• Priority Lanes: Some motorways have lanes reserved for carpooling or public transport.