Please enjoy your hire car in France. You
can collect your hire car from over 100 sites in France, from
Abbeville to Villefranche Sur Saone. Airports include Paris
Charles De Gaulle Airport, Toulouse Airport, Lyon Airport,
Paris City Centre, Cannes Airport and all major airports and
train stations.
Are you going on holiday to France? To see as
much as possible and to get the most out of France, the best
way of transport is certainly by car. But of course you will
have to abide by France's law of driving. Below you will find
some useful information about driving in France.
Documents you need when driving in France:
To drive a foreign registered car legally in France you must
have the following documents with you, which are your driving
licence, vehicle registration document and certificate of
motor insurance. EU nationals taking their own cars into France
are highly advised to obtain a Green Card. As without it,
insurance cover is only limited to the minimum legal cover
in France where the Green Card tops this cover up to the level
of cover provided by the car owner's domestic policy.
Special rules you must follow:
When driving in France it is compulsory for all vehicles to
have a Warning Triangle if the vehicles not fitted with hazard
lights, if towing a trailer or if over 3,500 kg. For all passengers
it is compulsory to wear both front and rear seatbelts. The
police are able to issue and collect 'on the spot fines' for
not obeying these rules.
Minimum age:
The minimum age of a driver in France is 18 years. Children
under 10 years must be in the rear using an approved seat
or harness. Babies up to nine months can be in an approved
rear-facing seat in the front. The use of seat belts is compulsory
for both front and rear seated passengers.
Parking:
Parking in France is similar to Britain with car parks and
parking meters. A Blue Zone system operates in major towns
where you will have to display valid discs, which are available
from police, tourist offices and tobacconists. Parking meters
and Pay and Display systems also operate. Be aware, as wheel
clamping and the impounding of cars are likely for illegally
parked cars especially in Paris.
A few basic rules:
In France, they drive on the right hand side and overtake
on the left, pay full attention especially at roundabouts.
Use your dipped headlights at night and never drive on sidelights
only. REMEMBER flashing your headlights means I am going first
and NOT I give way! Do not overtake or cross a solid white
line in the centre of the road. When coming across Funerals
and Troops, you may only be passed them at a very slow speed.
Do not overtake trams when passengers are alighting or boarding.
Only use your horn for emergencies.
Speed limits:
Built-up areas: 50 kph (31 mph)
Major roads outside towns: 90 kph (56 mph)
Motorways (non toll): 110 kph (68 mph)
Motorways (toll): 130 kph (81 mph)
Motorways minimum left lane: 80 kph (50 mph)
Motorways in rain: 110 kph (68 mph)
The police in France can and do fine motorists
on the spot for driving offences such as speeding.
Taxi:
Day and night rates are shown inside each cab. There are extra
charges on journeys to and from racecourses, stations and
airports and for luggage
Urban:
Urban public transport is excellent. There are comprehensive
bus systems in all the larger towns. There are also tramways,
trolleybuses and an underground in most towns and automated
driverless trains in Lille, where there is also a tramway.
The systems are easy to use, with pre-purchase tickets and
passes. Good publicity material and maps are usually available.
Bus:
Information on services may be obtained from local tourist
offices. Children under four years of age are allowed to travel
free on the buses and underground, while children between
four and 11 years travel half price. A comprehensive network
operates within the city where services include PC buses that
run around the outskirts of Paris and Noctambus services,
which run through the night. Paris Visit Pass offers superb
value for money with a choice of unlimited travel on the entire
transport network for a period of one to five days. A variety
of discounts are also available with the pass such as reduced
prices at certain museums, cinemas, restaurants and shops.
Driving in France will be a pleasurable
experience as long as you remember you are in their country
and abide by their laws. Please remember it is not a good
enough excuse to plead ignorance, as you are a foreigner,
you are the driver and it's your responsibility to know the
law.