and from a holiday company site.....
Driving in France has a few differences to driving in the UK.
Read these France driving tips to make sure
you're properly prepared.
Documents: This is one of the most useful France driving tips. In France the law states that you must carry your driving licence, car
Insurance papers and log book in the vehicle at all times. If you get stopped and you have all this with you it will make your life a lot easier.
Drinking and driving: there are severe penalties if the level of alcohol in the blood is 0.05 per cent or more. Penalties include fine, imprisonment and/or confiscation of driving licence.
Driving licence: the minimum age at which a UK licence holder can drive a temporarily imported car is 18; for motorcycles up to 125cc, 16; for motorcycles over 125cc, 18.
Fines: on-the-spot fines or 'deposits' are severe. Be sure to get an official receipt.
Solid white lines: The French authorities are very hot on enforcing their laws on road markings. If you cross a solid white line (in order to overtake for example) and are seen, they will pull you over and give you an on the spot fine. So, France driving tips No.5………DON’T CROSS A SOLID WHITE LINE!
Lights: use dipped headlights in poor daytime visibility.
Fuel: unleaded petrol (95 and 98 octane) is available. There is no leaded petrol, but lead-replacement petrol ‘Super ARS’ or lead-substitute additives are available. Carrying petrol in cans permitted, but forbidden aboard ferries and motorails. Diesel (Gazole) and LPG are available. Credit cards are accepted at most filling stations but a lot of UK issued cards will not work in the 24h automated pumps; check with your card issuer to be sure you can use your card in France and Monaco before travelling.
Motorcycles: dipped headlights are compulsory during the day for motorcycles exceeding 125cc. Crash helmets are compulsory for drivers and passengers of any two-wheel motorised vehicle.
Motor
Insurance: third-party
Insurance is compulsory.
Passengers/children in cars: children under ten cannot travel as front-seat passengers, with the exception of babies – up to nine months and under 9kg – in rear-facing seats. Children under ten in the rear must use a restraint system appropriate to their weight: between 9–15kg child seat, over 15kg booster seat in conjunction with normal seat belts).
Seat belts: front- and rear-seat occupants, must wear seat belts where they are fitted.
Speed limits: standard legal limits (varied by signs) for private vehicles without trailers: built-up areas 31mph (50km/h), outside built-up areas 55mph (90km/h), but 68mph (110km/h) on dual carriageways separated by a central reservation and 80mph (130km/h) on motorways. Lower speed limits apply in wet weather and to visiting motorists who have held a driving licence for less than two years: 49mph (80km/h) outside built-up areas, 62mph (100km/h) on dual carriageways and 68mph (110km/h) on motorways.
Important France driving tip: holders of EU driving licences who exceed the speed limit by more than 24mph (40km/h) will have their licences confiscated immediately by the police.
Special features: warning triangle or hazard warning lights are compulsory (we recommend that you always carry a warning triangle). Visitors should carry a set of replacement bulbs. In built-up areas, give way to traffic coming from the right – ‘Priorité à droite’. At roundabouts signed ‘Vous n’avez pas la priorité’ or ‘Cedez le passage’ traffic on the roundabout has priority; otherwise traffic entering the roundabout has priority.
Migration info. Legacy thread was 31021
