France

When travelling in France check what items of motoring equipment are required.

Essential Items

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- Headlamp Beam Adaptors

- GB Plate

- Spare Bulbs

- Warning Triangle

Strongly Advisable Items

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- First Aid Kit

- Fire Extinguisher

- Reflective Vest

Other Information

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Speed Limit - km/hr (mph)

With car & trailer over 3.5 tonnes:

110 (68)

100 (62)

50 (31)

50 (31)

For visting new drivers (full licence for less than 2 years):

110 (68)

100 (62)

80 (50)

50 (31)

- Motorways overtaking lane, minimum speed 80 km/hr (50 mph)
- Motoways in rain, maximum speed 110 km/hr (68 mph)
- Visibility < 50 metres, maximum speed 50 km/hr (31 mph)

Seat Belts

- Compulsory in front seats and rear seats if fitted.
- Under 10 years must be in the rear using an approved seat or harness.
- Up to nine months can be in an approved rear facing seat in the front.

Motorways

- Most motorways are toll roads "autoroutes a peage".
- Because of their private financing, prices per km can vary.
- Take a ticket on entering, and produce it later for payment according to the distance travelled.
Warning: the time of issue is printed on the ticket. Paying for it 2 hours later, 300 kilometres down the road, it is not difficult for a machine to work out that you must have been exceeding the speed limit!! If the police are checking that section of motoway you will be fined!
- Sometimes you can enter without a ticket, and pay a set amount on leaving.
- Emergency phones (orange) are located every 2km
- Parking and resting, toilets and picnic areas, are every 10 or 20 km.

Drinking and Driving

- The level of alcohol in the blood must be below 0.5 g/l.
- Random breath tests are frequent.
- Drink Driving fines range from approx £95 to £3000.

Minimum Tyre Depth

1.8mm.

Fines

- Police are authorised to impose and collect fines on the spot, but they must issue a receipt for amount paid.
- Speeding offences attract an on the spot fine of up to approx £500.
- Violation of traffic regulations attract on the spot fine up to approx £250.
- Disregarding safety precautions resulting in injury or death to a another person could result in very high penalties - approx £10,000 for causing slight injuries.

Parking

- A Blue Zone system operates in major towns, discs available from police, tourist offices and tobacconists.
- Parking meters and Pay and Display systems also operate.
- Wheel clamps and the impounding of cars are likely for illegally parked cars especially in Paris.

Emergency Phone Numbers

- Police 112
- Fire Service 112
- Ambulance 112

Additional Notes

- Use dipped headlights at night, never drive on sidelights alone.
- Flashing your headlights means I am going first, not I give way!
- Horns to be used for emergencies only.
- Flashing amber on traffic lights means proceed with caution.