Spain vs France driving rules
Compare the main cross-border differences before driving between Spain and France.
| Rule | Spain | France |
|---|---|---|
| Built-up areas | 20 / 30 / 50 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Outside built-up areas | 90 km/h | 80 / 90 km/h |
| Motorways / expressways | 120 km/h | 110 / 130 km/h |
| Standard drivers | 0.5 mg/ml | 0.5 mg/ml |
| Novice drivers | 0.3 mg/ml | 0.2 mg/ml |
| Professional drivers | 0.3 mg/ml | 0.5 mg/ml |
| Daytime lights | Mandatory for motorcycles and in low visibility | Not stated in the standardized source |
| Winter tyres / equipment | Not stated in the standardized source | Mandatory seasonally where road signs require them |
| Mandatory equipment | warning triangle, reflective vest, fire extinguisher | warning triangle, reflective vest |
| Low-emission zones | Check the current national or local official source | Check the current national or local official source |
| Fines and enforcement | Check the current national or local official source | Check the current national or local official source |
| Emergency number | 112 | 112 |
Spain
Typical passenger-car speed limits: Urban limits depend on whether road and pavement share one level and whether there is one or multiple lanes in each direction.
Daytime lights: Mandatory for motorcycles; for other vehicles, mandatory only in reduced visibility.
Winter tyres / equipment: The source lists mandatory snow chains in heavy snow but does not state a passenger-car winter-tyre requirement.
Mandatory equipment: The source allows an amber emergency warning light instead of two triangles and limits the fire-extinguisher requirement to buses and goods vehicles over 3.5 t.
France
Typical passenger-car speed limits: The source also lists lower wet-weather limits and 50 km/h when visibility is below 50 metres.
Blood alcohol limits: A 0.2 mg/ml limit applies to bus and coach drivers.
Winter tyres / equipment: Winter tyres or snow chains are compulsory from 1 November to 31 March in signed mountainous areas.
This is a planning summary, not legal advice. Road signs and current national rules take priority. Always check the linked official source before departure.