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The Ultimate Guide to Driving in France

Get road trip ready, this guide covers everything you need to drive safely and legally in France!

If you’re heading to France from the UK with your car, campervan, motorhome or caravan, there are a few key rules and requirements to be aware of before setting off. Don’t worry – they’re not as daunting as they might first seem, and you’ll be on that ferry to France before you know it. From legal essentials to practical tips for a smoother journey, this Guide to Driving in France has everything you need to travel safely and legally.

If you’re new here, welcome – my name’s Robbie Roams. I’m a best-selling travel writer based in the UK, and I’ve driven in France on numerous occasions, most recently spending six weeks on the road while researching and writing my best-selling Road Trip France guidebook. So, let’s dive into everything you need to know about driving in France…

Driving in France Video Guide

I’ve made an 11 minute video available to watch below covering the main points on driving in France. If you prefer watching video that’s the best place to start.

Documentation Required to Drive in France

  • Valid UK Driving Licence (photo one):

    If you only have a paper driving licence, you’ll need to get an international driving permit, you can get these from post offices. You also need to be 18 years old or older to drive in France.

  • Vehicle Logbook (V5C):

    You need to ensure you have the original V5C, not a copy. If you don’t have this, speak to the DVLA asap, as it’s a legal requirement here in France.

  • Vehicle Insurance Certificate:

    It’s worth printing a couple of copies off. Also save it to your phone and email yourself a copy just in case. I also do this with my passport and driving licence just to be on the safe side. Now please double check with your insurer to make sure you are covered in France and for how long, some will only cover for 30 days so a longer trip will need looking at.

  • (Optional) European Breakdown Cover

    Consider getting european breakdown cover! You can get annual or a single trip policy from the AA or RAC. It might save you a fortune should you be faced with a vehicle breakdown.

Guide to Driving in France

Must Have Vehicle Equipment to Drive in France

  • UK sticker displayed on vehicle:

    You must display a UK sticker unless your number plate has a Union Jack and ‘UK’. GB plates with the EU flag and GB stickers are no longer valid. I got £2.99 stickers on Amazon - cheap but not great. If you want to go the whole way, you can order some new reg plates online with the UK symbol on.

  • high vis jacket:

    You’re going to need one per passenger and they need to be within reach, not in the boot or in the garage of your campervan.

  • warning triangle:

    This is a legal requirement, so please make sure you have one with you on your road trip.

  • spare bulbs:

    Spare bulbs, now these are technically required but rarely checked – better to be safe than sorry.

  • Breathalyser Kit:

    Now this is a strange one as it’s a requirement by law but you won’t get fined for not having one.

  • angles mortes stickers (if rated over 3.5 tonnes):

    This is a legal requirement to warn other road users of your blind spots. You’ll need one on the back and one on each side, placed between 0.9 and 1.5m high. However, should not be placed on glass or curved surfaces. Failure to comply results in a €135 fine. Official ones are available on Amazon or at ferry ports.

Tolls & Low Emission Zones

  • toll roads:

    France has many toll roads - they’re fast, direct, and wellmaintained, with plenty of aires and service stations along the way. If you’re using them regularly on your trip, I highly recommend getting a télépéage tag. It lets you skip the queues at toll booths by using dedicated tag lanes, where the system scans your tag and charges your bank directly. You can order one easily from the UK via emovistag.co.uk. It’s quick to set up, they post the tag to your home, and set up only takes a few minutes. There’s a small application and annual fee, but the convenience is well worth it.

  • high vis jacket:

    If you plan on driving through any low emission zones in France (usually near major cities) you’ll need a Crit’Air sticker. It’s a small windscreen sticker that classifies how much pollution your vehicle creates. Without one, or if your vehicle is heavily polluting, you could be restricted from entering these zones or fined €135 if you do. Ordering is simple: you’ll need your V5C (vehicle log book), it costs just €4, and while they say to allow 3-4 weeks for delivery, mine arrived much sooner. Visit the official French Government website - change the language in the top right hand corner of the page from FR to EN.

Toll Roads vs Normal Roads in France

There’s always debate about French toll roads and whether they’re worth it. In short, they’re fast, more direct, well maintained, and ideal if you’re short on time. But they can be pricey, less scenic, and occasionally have toll booth queues. Personally, I rate them for long stretches – but a mix with D roads is best. 

Guide to Driving in France

General France Driving Tips & Advice

  • don’t forget, drive on the right:

    This sounds so obvious, but you drive on the right in France, it’s easy to forget but always give way to the left and enter roundabouts counter clockwise.

  • speed limits:

    For vehicles under 3.5 tonnes, speed limits in France are: -130 km/h on motorways (reduced to 110 km/h when it’s raining) -110 km/h on dual carriageways (drops to 100 km/h in rain) -50 km/h in towns and villages

  • Towns & Villages

    Towns and villages will often appear very quickly, almost without warning and you’re expected to drive at 50kmph here, so please be very careful. Most towns and villages have HUGE speed bumps that you can only really drive over at like maybe 20kmph max. The French really look out for their pedestrians so keep your eyes out for zebra crossings, roundabouts and these absolutely mammoth speed bumps.

  • roundabouts:

    Roundabouts are insane in France, they are very sharp and are intended to slow you right down, you cannot take these at speed regardless of what vehicle you’re in, so please be careful

  • driving habits:

    Generally, nobody in France will let you out in any driving situation. Whether that’s changing lane on a motorway, or joining a road from a car park. You just have to accept that drivers in France are in it for themselves, do not get angry, just accept it.

  • Speeding:

    Nobody speeds, believe it or not. The fines are quite severe and the speed cameras are basically camouflaged. Also it’s illegal to have a radar device or use an app that detects speed cameras. My advice, do what the locals do and don’t speed.

  • Drink Driving:

    France’s drink-driving limit is lower than in the UK, surprising, given the abundance of fantastic wine! The safest option is not to drink at all if you’re driving. Also, if you’ve held your licence for less than 3 years, the limit is even stricter.

  • Seatbelts:

    Everyone must wear a seatbelt regardless of where they are sitting. The driver is legally responsible for passengers under 18 wearing their seatbelts. Children under 10 must sit in the back seat, unless no other seats are available. The fine is €135 if caught breaking the law on seatbelts.

  • Mobile Phones:

    France has strict laws regarding mobile phone use while driving, and enforcement is serious. You cannot hold your phone (even at a red light or in traffic). You cannot use it while driving unless fully hands-free. You cannot use earphones, headsets, or Bluetooth earpieces in your ears (even just one ear). Only fully hands-free systems integrated into the vehicle (like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, or built-in Bluetooth speaker systems) are allowed.

  • Traffic Lights:

    There is no red and amber phase before the green. The light goes straight from red to green, so no early warning to get ready to go like in the UK.

  • towing:

    Regular use of an A-frame for towing a roadworthy, registered car behind a motorhome is not legal in France. The only fully legal method of transporting a car behind a motorhome is by putting it entirely on a trailer (two or four wheels off the ground). The trailer and car combined must not exceed the tow vehicle’s rated towing capacity. If the trailer or towed load exceeds 750 kg, it must have its own braking system. The trailer or car being towed must display the same number plate as the towing vehicle.

  • Priorité à Droite (priority to the right) :

    When driving in France, watch out for a road sign showing a black cross inside a white triangle with a red border. This indicates that vehicles entering from the right have priority, and you must give way — even if you’re driving at speed. Be especially careful, as many of these right-hand junctions have poor visibility.

Driving in France Checklist

Use this checklist to ensure you and your vehicle are road trip ready. It’s always worth double-checking just before you set off for France to be on the safe side.

LEGAL DOCUMENTS

  • ☐ Full UK Driving Licence (photocard – paper-only licences not accepted)

  • ☐ Passport (valid for at least 3 months after your return date)

  • ☐ Vehicle V5C Logbook (original – not a copy)

  • ☐ Vehicle Insurance Documents (including proof of third-party EU cover as a minimum)

  • ☐ Crit’Air Sticker (if driving through low emission zones)

  • ☐ Angles Morts Stickers (if vehicle exceeds 3.5 tonnes)

VEHICLE EQUIPMENT (LEGALLY REQUIRED)

  • ☐ Reflective Jackets (one per passenger, kept inside the vehicle)

  • ☐ Warning Triangle

  • ☐ UK Sticker (if your number plate doesn’t already show UK with a Union Jack)

  • ☐ Headlight Beam Deflectors (or manual adjustment if built-in)

  • ☐ Spare Bulbs (recommended – required in some areas)

  • ☐ Breathalyser Kit (optional – law still exists but no longer enforced or fined)

ADDITIONAL SMART IDEAS

  • ☐ Health Insurance / EHIC Card

  • ☐ European Breakdown Cover

  • ☐ First Aid Kit

  • ☐ Fire Extinguisher

  • ☐ Spare Car Key (kept separately)

  • ☐ Sat Nav or Phone with Google Maps (avoid ones with speed camera alerts – illegal in France)

  • ☐ Toll Payment Options (e.g. credit card, Emovis tag)

  • ☐ Currency / Travel ATM Card (for fuel or rural toll booths)

Now you're France Road Trip Ready!

So there we have it, you’re now a France driving expert! Feel free to save this Driving in France Guide for future reference. To be honest, driving in France shouldn’t be daunting, in fact, I thought the roads were less busy, larger and easier to drive than the UK. If you follow the steps in this guide you’ll be safe and legal!

If you enjoyed reading this guide, you can actually find it printed in my Road Trip France Guidebook which features a much larger planning section ensuring you have all the tools you need to embark on an epic France adventure. 

Road Trip France Guidebook Features:

  • Comes with full itineraries & route maps
  • 100’s of must-see locations
  • 100’s of campsites, aires, off-grid park ups, hotels and the best places to eat and drink.
  • Each location comes with a what3words reference and QR code linking to Google Maps! As a result, navigating in France is really simple and easy.
  • It comes with room to write and plan your own trip in the back along with a host of other essential features. 
  • Trusted by 1000’s of travellers across the UK & Europe (read the fabulous reviews for the book). 

Save time, money & stress - get your copy of Road Trip France now, click below...

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POSTED BY...
Robbie-Roams

Robbie Roams

I’m Rob – a UK best-selling travel author, founder of No Fuss Travel Guides, and passionate about making travel simple and inspiring.

My first book, North Coast 500 – The Road Trip of a Lifetime (2022), became an Amazon best-seller and led to collaborations with Visit Wales and features inThe Sunday Times and The Guardian’s “Best of Travel”.

I also speak regularly at industry events, sharing insights on road trips, independent travel, and authentic experiences.

I’m a keen traveller and proud collie dog lover. I hope you find value in my blogs and videos — and if you’ve got a question, just ask.

👉 Follow me on YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook for the latest tips and updates. Rob – Staffordshire, UK

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