Driving in France: Rules British Drivers Need to Know

France is the most popular driving destination for British holidaymakers, but the rules of the road are different enough to catch you out if you're not prepared. From driving on the opposite side to unfamiliar priority rules and strict equipment requirements, there's more to think about than simply remembering to stay on the right. Whether you're planning your driving costs to France or already have your crossing booked, this guide covers every rule you need to know before you hit the French road network.

Driving on the Right

The most obvious difference is that France drives on the right. For most British drivers, staying on the correct side of a busy dual carriageway or autoroute is straightforward — the traffic flow naturally keeps you in place. The real danger moments come when there's no other traffic to guide you: pulling out of a car park, leaving a petrol station, or setting off on a quiet rural road early in the morning. These are the situations where muscle memory kicks in and you instinctively drift to the left.

Roundabouts work in the opposite direction — you go anti-clockwise rather than clockwise. Give way to traffic already on the roundabout (coming from your left), unless you see a sign indicating priorité à droite, which is covered in detail below. Overtaking must be done on the left side, not the right. If you're used to UK motorways, this feels completely reversed at first, but most drivers adjust within the first hour or two.

Speed Limits in France

French speed limits are measured in kilometres per hour (km/h) and are strictly enforced. The limits vary by road type and are reduced in wet or rainy conditions. Here is the full breakdown:

The wet-weather reduction on autoroutes and dual carriageways catches out many British drivers who aren't used to legally mandated lower limits in rain. In France, the moment your wipers go on, the limit drops. There is no grace period or threshold — it applies immediately.

New drivers (those who have held a licence for less than three years) face even lower limits: 110 km/h on autoroutes, 100 km/h on dual carriageways, and 80 km/h elsewhere. These apply regardless of weather. The town limit of 50 km/h is universal, and some residential areas use 30 km/h zones.

Priorité à Droite (Priority from the Right)

This is the rule that catches more British drivers off guard than any other. In France, vehicles coming from the right have priority at junctions unless signs say otherwise. This means a car pulling out of a small side road on your right-hand side has the right of way over you on what appears to be the main road — the exact opposite of how it works in the UK.

Priorité à droite is most commonly encountered in towns and villages, particularly at unmarked junctions. You'll recognise it by the absence of any road markings or give-way signs. If there is no sign telling you that you have priority (a yellow diamond on a white background), assume that traffic from the right has the right of way.

On main roads outside towns, you'll usually see the yellow diamond “passage protégé” sign, which means you have priority and don't need to give way to the right. When this priority ends, a crossed-out version of the same sign appears. Pay close attention to these signs, especially when entering and leaving villages — priority status can change several times along a single stretch of road.

Mandatory Equipment You Must Carry

French law requires you to carry specific equipment in your vehicle. If you're stopped and found to be missing any of the compulsory items, you can be fined on the spot. Here is what you need:

Drink Driving Laws

France has a significantly lower drink driving limit than England and Wales. The French limit is 0.5 g/L of blood alcohol (equivalent to roughly 0.25 mg/L breath), compared to 0.8 g/L in England and Wales. For new drivers (licence held less than three years), the limit drops even further to 0.2 g/L — effectively zero tolerance, as a single drink could put you over.

The safest approach is simply not to drink if you plan to drive. French police conduct random breath tests far more frequently than UK police, particularly during holiday periods and on major routes south. Fines start at €135 for lower-level offences and can escalate to criminal prosecution, vehicle confiscation, and prison sentences for serious cases.

Mobile Phone Rules

France has stricter mobile phone laws than the UK. It is illegal to hold or use a phone while driving, which is the same as the UK — but France goes further. Hands-free earpieces and headphones (including Bluetooth earbuds) are also banned while driving. The reasoning is that they reduce your ability to hear sirens, horns, and other traffic sounds.

The only legal ways to use your phone while driving in France are through the car's built-in Bluetooth system (speakers and microphone integrated into the vehicle) or with your phone mounted on a dashboard or windscreen holder. If you're caught using earbuds or holding a phone, the fine is €135 and you lose three points on your French driving record. If you're also committing another offence at the same time (such as speeding), your licence can be confiscated on the spot.

Toll Booth Tips

French autoroute tolls are a significant cost on any driving trip. Prices vary by route and vehicle class, with a typical car paying £20–25 one way from Calais to Paris. Payment is by card, cash, or electronic toll tag. We've covered everything in detail — including pricing for common routes, how the vehicle class system works, and strategies for reducing your toll bill — in our dedicated guide to French motorway tolls.

Fuel Stations in France

Fuel prices in France vary considerably depending on where you fill up. Autoroute service stations are by far the most expensive — you can easily pay 15–20 cents per litre more than at a supermarket station just a few minutes off the motorway. The cheapest fuel in France is almost always at supermarket filling stations: Leclerc, Carrefour, Intermarché, and Auchan all offer competitive prices, often 10–15 cents per litre below average.

Be aware that many smaller fuel stations, including some supermarket ones, close on Sundays and public holidays. Automated 24-hour pumps (“automates”) are increasingly common and accept French or international credit cards, but some older machines may not accept UK cards. It's wise to keep your tank above a quarter full, especially if you're driving through rural areas on a Sunday.

Diesel (gazole) is widely available and historically cheaper than petrol (sans plomb 95 or 98) in France, although the gap has narrowed in recent years. If you're trying to keep your driving costs down, planning fuel stops at supermarket stations rather than autoroute services can save £15–20 or more over a long trip.

What Happens If You Break the Rules

France relies heavily on on-the-spot fines (amendes forfaitaires). Police can stop you and demand immediate payment for most traffic offences. This is standard practice in France and not a sign of corruption — it's how the system works. If you cannot pay on the spot, you may be required to pay a deposit (consignation) before you can continue your journey.

France also has an extensive network of fixed and mobile speed cameras. Fixed cameras are marked with signs, but mobile cameras (often operated from unmarked vehicles) are not. Since 2017, some radar duties have been outsourced to private vehicles, making mobile speed traps harder to spot. Here are the typical fines for common offences: