Driving In France, Traffic Laws
Seatbelt use is required in
France.
Children under ten should not ride
in front and must use seat belts or,
for a small child, a car seat
On the highway, keep to the right
except to pass, Speed limits for
clear days and lower limits for rainy
days, and reduced speed for exits
make France's highways familiar to
the North American driver.
Lights on in low visibility
Gassing your vehicle is similar to
the procedure in the US including
the self service feature, automatic
shut off pumps, and the use of the
credit card. Diesel is common in
France and called Gazole.
All cell phone use is prohibited
while driving
France.
Children under ten should not ride
in front and must use seat belts or,
for a small child, a car seat
On the highway, keep to the right
except to pass, Speed limits for
clear days and lower limits for rainy
days, and reduced speed for exits
make France's highways familiar to
the North American driver.
Lights on in low visibility
Gassing your vehicle is similar to
the procedure in the US including
the self service feature, automatic
shut off pumps, and the use of the
credit card. Diesel is common in
France and called Gazole.
All cell phone use is prohibited
while driving
Highway Travel in France
Highway driving is very
similar to travel in the US,
Canada, and Mexico with
toll roads marked "Peage",
meaning you pay as you
go. Rest stops will have
gas and diesel some with
information booths (The
big i ) Yield on entering
the highway as the
triangular sign indicates.
The speed limits here are
130 KM per hour for a
clear day and 110 KM for a
rainy condition.
Highway driving is very
similar to travel in the US,
Canada, and Mexico with
toll roads marked "Peage",
meaning you pay as you
go. Rest stops will have
gas and diesel some with
information booths (The
big i ) Yield on entering
the highway as the
triangular sign indicates.
The speed limits here are
130 KM per hour for a
clear day and 110 KM for a
rainy condition.
You will not find
convenience store on
every corner or strip
malls at every
crossroads so stocking
up with water, food, a
thermos of coffee, and
gas before taking a trip
can save you money
and time.
convenience store on
every corner or strip
malls at every
crossroads so stocking
up with water, food, a
thermos of coffee, and
gas before taking a trip
can save you money
and time.
Auto Europe has made renting a car in Europe as easy as it can be. They have a wide assortment of both
Diesel and gas models, no mileage charge, and a liberal drop-off policy. Shopping on line well in advance
can give you the best options. Luggage space will be a factor and the ability to drive a standard shift car
another consideration.
Rental agencies in the TGV stations such as Avignon's station make rentals simple; booking online
speeds the process and saves money.
Diesel and gas models, no mileage charge, and a liberal drop-off policy. Shopping on line well in advance
can give you the best options. Luggage space will be a factor and the ability to drive a standard shift car
another consideration.
Rental agencies in the TGV stations such as Avignon's station make rentals simple; booking online
speeds the process and saves money.
Traffic Laws, International Traffic Symbols, Leasing, Renting
France driving Laws are similar for travelers in the US or
Canada with speed limits on high speed toll roads and right
of way symbols at rotaries and exits.
Canada with speed limits on high speed toll roads and right
of way symbols at rotaries and exits.
In France the Traffic Laws and Renting
of an automobile varies little from the
US or Canada
of an automobile varies little from the
US or Canada
High speed roads are modern but they connect
hilltop towns where roads can be narrow
hilltop towns where roads can be narrow
No Passing for
commercial
vehicles
commercial
vehicles
No Passing
zone ends
zone ends
| Rotary with yield to traffic in rotary |
Pay as you go toll roads speed
traffic between cities and ofter
parallel an older free road.
traffic between cities and ofter
parallel an older free road.
No Passing
for
commercial
vehicles
for
commercial
vehicles
No
Passing
zone ends
Passing
zone ends
Highway or
Expressway
Expressway
Intersection
with right
of way to
right
with right
of way to
right
| road showing right of way |
| Rotary with yield to traffic in rotary |
Speed limits will be clearly marked and the Rotary will be a welcome site with its directions to various
towns. Gassing up is similar to US with credit card and automatic shut-off at modern pumps. Car rental are
available in all large cities and at many TGV Train Stations..
towns. Gassing up is similar to US with credit card and automatic shut-off at modern pumps. Car rental are
available in all large cities and at many TGV Train Stations..
Information for those renting a vehicle in Provence
Save
A diesel vehicle will be less expensive to run. When gassing. Note that fuel will be less expensive at the local
filling station or Market in the small town or village than on the highway. Diesel is called diesel or Gazole in
France.
A diesel vehicle will be less expensive to run. When gassing. Note that fuel will be less expensive at the local
filling station or Market in the small town or village than on the highway. Diesel is called diesel or Gazole in
France.
| Train Schedules and Fares |
In France, traffic entering a
rotary from the right had the
right of way for years. This
law has changed but the habit
lingers. Signs often denote
right of way.
Use caution in the rotary and
on country roads when there is
traffic entering from your
right
When entering a town slow to
50 km
rotary from the right had the
right of way for years. This
law has changed but the habit
lingers. Signs often denote
right of way.
Use caution in the rotary and
on country roads when there is
traffic entering from your
right
When entering a town slow to
50 km
Vehicle in the rotary has the
right of way
right of way
The symbol at left tells you that you have the right of
way Traffic entering the road must stop and give
way to your progress. The symbol on the top right
indicates that you are on the main road and have
the right of way. You will see this symbol in a
village or small town.
Use caution in the rotary and on country roads
when there is traffic entering from your right.
Not all drivers in France observe the new right of
way rules
way Traffic entering the road must stop and give
way to your progress. The symbol on the top right
indicates that you are on the main road and have
the right of way. You will see this symbol in a
village or small town.
Use caution in the rotary and on country roads
when there is traffic entering from your right.
Not all drivers in France observe the new right of
way rules
the black bar through
the triangle indicates
that right of way for
vehicles on the main
road has ended and
they must give way to
vehicles entering from
the right
the triangle indicates
that right of way for
vehicles on the main
road has ended and
they must give way to
vehicles entering from
the right
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If you are driving in France check the driving laws and the
driving in France requirements and rules. Ask the rental
agent about required equipment.
driving in France requirements and rules. Ask the rental
agent about required equipment.
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The vehicle should
have a reflective
warning triangle
and a reflective
jacket on board in
case of breakdown or
flat tire
have a reflective
warning triangle
and a reflective
jacket on board in
case of breakdown or
flat tire