Country driving guide
Driving rules in France
A practical summary of the main rules that may differ when you cross the border. The values below come from the official source linked on this page — the standardized Your Europe country page or the national law or authority.
Source-backedTypical passenger-car speed limits
- Built-up areas
- 50 km/h
- Outside built-up areas
- 80 / 90 km/h
- Motorways / expressways
- 110 / 130 km/h
The source also lists lower wet-weather limits and 50 km/h when visibility is below 50 metres.
Blood alcohol limits
- Standard drivers
- 0.5 mg/ml
- Novice drivers
- 0.2 mg/ml
- Professional drivers
- 0.5 mg/ml
A 0.2 mg/ml limit applies to bus and coach drivers.
Lights, winter rules and equipment
- Daytime lights
- Not stated in the standardized source
- Winter tyres / equipment
- Mandatory seasonally where road signs require them Winter tyres or snow chains are compulsory from 1 November to 31 March in signed mountainous areas.
- Mandatory equipment
- warning triangle, reflective vest
Checks that depend on the route
- Low-emission zones
- Check the current national or local official source
- Fines and enforcement
- Check the current national or local official source
- Emergency number
- 112
This is a planning summary, not legal advice. Road signs and current national rules take priority. Always check the linked official source before departure.