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Home Limousin, Attractions, Tourism, Place Guides, Beaches, Lakes A Guide 2 Motoring & Driving in France

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A Guide 2 Motoring & Driving in France

Category: Travel and Motoring

Carry your driving licence, insurance and registration documents

Driving a UK RHD car? - Fit beam converters to your headlights

Carry a warning triangle and a reflective jacket in your vehicle

Got a radar detector on board? - Remove it

Children under the age of 10 are not allowed travel in the front seat.

Description:

France is noted for having some of the greatest roads in Europe, so at Guide2Limousin we've put together a collection of practical things you need to know if you're driving over to the region. Many rules are the same as driving in the UK and elsewhere, but the following is intended as a summary of the main differences:

Know the roads

Autoroute (A)	These are motorways, of which many are toll roads (autoroutes a peage). Normally with speed limits of 130kmh/81mph, but reduced to 110kmh/68mph in the rain. Most of these highways are in good condition, and will have a selection of well-equipped service stations.
Route Nationale (RN)	The secondary network of nationally maintained roads, which can vary from single carriageway to dual carriageway. Duelled roads will normally carry a speed limit of 110kmh/68mph, with single carriageway stretches normally operating at 90kmh/56mph. These roads are less direct and can involve passing through towns. Reduce speed in wet by 10kmh (except in towns).
Route Departmental (D)	These roads are maintained by the Department, and can vary from normal single/dual carriageway stretches to back roads without markings. The same speed limits apply here as for the Route Nationale.
In town	There are normally signposts on entry to a town or village (red border around place name) and an indication of the speed limit. This will normally be 50kmh/31mph, but if there are no signs stick with this limit in a built-up area.
Roads marked ‘BIS'	Some signposts will also carry the abbreviation BIS next to the name of a major destination. It stands for ‘Bison Fute' (the cunning bison), and will be pointing you to an alternative route for the destination. During peak season this can help you avoid bottlenecks.

Know the rules

Drive on the right!
Carry your driving licence, insurance and registration documents in the car at all times. If the car isn't yours, make sure you have written permission to be driving the vehicle.
You must have a full driving licence (you can't drive here on a provisional licence)
The minimum age for driving is 18yrs
Be aware of priorité à droite, which gives the right of way to motorists joining your forward direction from the right (but as ever this can be superseded by road-signs)
Driving a UK RHD car? - Fit beam converters to your headlights - it's the law
Got a radar detector on board? - Remove it - They're illegal and you could be fined
Traffic Lights - They go from Red to Green (no amber), but do go Green-Amber-Red - be prepared.
Flashing Amber light - Either the traffic signal is out of service, or you may be able to turn right at a junction (proceed with caution) even though the main signal is on red.
If you are driving a vehicle registered outside of France, you must display a country sticker.
Children under the age of 10 may not travel in the front seat.
Carry a warning triangle and a reflective jacket in your vehicle at all times, these are required by law from July 2008 (failure to do this could leave you 90 Euro lighter in the pocket).

Know the pitfalls

French authorities are using radar speed traps more and more, particularly during the peak tourist season. Fixed cameras are well signposted, but mobile handheld devices or those mounted on unmarked cars and bikes are becoming more common.
You will face an on the spot fine for speeding offences, and you could have your licence taken away depending on the speed you were travelling.
24hr petrol stations do not normally accept Visa/Maestro cards, so make sure you have enough fuel from a manned station to reach your destination, unless you have a French Carte Bancaire card.
Pedestrians do not stop all traffic at a crossing like in the UK, but beware when turning right or left out of a crossroads, as pedestrians will have been given a green light at the same time as you, and they have priority!
On exiting a toll road, avoid using lanes reserved for people with tele-badges, and only use the ‘CB' lane if you are paying by credit card (they don't accept cash).
Be careful if parking up at isolated rest areas on some French motorways, usually those without petrol stations and cafeterias, as the FCO reports incidents of muggings.
The FCO also warn of the problem of burglaries which have been reported as taking place whilst travellers have been asleep in their caravans, mobile homes or other vehicles.

Enjoy your trip

The motorways in France are superb, and the routes to Poitou Limousin are no exception. But if you do encounter a traffic jam, don't be afraid to venture off onto quieter local roads and find a different route to your destination. You'll come across some lovely villages and towns you wouldn't otherwise see, and with the aid of a good map you'll be back on your way in no time. Bonne Route!