Special Rules

If you wish to drive in France you must have a valid UK driving licence, insurance and vehicle documents.  If you are driving a vehicle that does not belong to you then written permission from the registered owner may also be requested.

The minimum age for driving a car in France is 18 years old. If you are 17 and hold a valid UK licence you are not permitted to drive a car.  If you do you may be fined and your vehicle will be impounded.

You should take particular care when driving in France as driving regulations and customs are different from those in the UK.  Roads in France, particularly motorways, are of an excellent standard but speed limits are higher than in the UK and the accident rate is higher.

Motorways

The autoroutes have a 130km/h (80mph) speed limit. Most are toll roads and you should add around €70 if you plan to use the autoroutes all the way to the south coast.

Rest areas (called aires de repos) are every 10km or so and excellent service stations which include restaurants of much higher quality than thei UK equivalent are located every 30-40km.

A website details their locations and facilities in English:
http://www.autoroutes.fr

Many drivers undertake long journeys in, or through, France. Care should be taken to plan journeys and take sufficient breaks; a minimum break of 15 minutes after every two hours of driving is recommended.

Travelling in the holiday season

Although the autoroutes are generally excellent and offer stress-free driving, their nature changes in the French holiday period, particularly when Parisians leave home and head for the coast (and bring their city driving habits to the open road). The system is frequently gridlocked on Bastille Day (14th July) and the first August weekend.

Information on safety and potential traffic black spots during the holiday season is also available on the French Government website:

http://www.bison-fute.equipement.gouv.fr

This website is only available in French. 

Tips in English on road safety and driving in France are available on a second French Government website :  http://www.securiteroutiere.equipement.gouv.fr/IMG/pdf/Depliant_welcome_2007-08.pdf

Severe penalties exist for all road traffic infringements and they are enforced. These include imprisonment and a heavy fine for causing death whilst driving over the alcohol limit or under the influence of drugs. There are also similar penalties for causing death by dangerous or negligent driving. 

The French police strictly apply speeding restrictions and if you exceed speed limits you will face heavy on-the-spot fines.  If you break French driving laws you can also have your UK driving licence confiscated by French Police.  This could lead to your vehicle being temporarily impounded if no alternative driver with a valid licence is available.

Radar detectors are illegal in France whether in use or not.  If you are caught with such equipment in your vehicle, you are liable to a fine, confiscation of the device and the vehicle.  You should therefore ensure radar detectors are removed from your vehicle before commencing any journey to France.

Almost all roads in Corsica are mountainous and narrow, with numerous bends.  You should be extra vigilant and beware of wandering animals.  The majority of road accidents occur during the tourist season.

Road Hauliers

British road hauliers should be aware that the French authorities are imposing fines on hauliers who have differing sets of documents aboard the vehicle.  Road hauliers should contact the Road Hauliers Association for further information (and see "Know Before You Go" International Road Haulage on the FCO website). 

It is now compulsory for drivers of vehicles weighing more than 3.5 tonnes to fasten their seat belts when driving in France (except in vehicles which did not have seat belts fitted when they were manufactured).  Offenders may face a substantial on the spot fine.

There are a number of periods during the year, including all Sundays and public holidays when heavy goods vehicles over 7.5 tonnes are banned from driving on roads in France.  Road hauliers should contact the Road Hauliers Association, the Freight Transport Association or the Department of Transport for further information.

In two incidents at the IDS service station near the Dunes in Calais, two British lorry drivers were assaulted by a group of men who may have been illegal immigrants intent on either robbery or possibly using the lorry to illegally enter the UK.  The Road Hauliers Association is aware of these incidents and can provide advice to drivers on matters of personal security.

Both the Mont Blanc and Frejus road tunnels, linking France and Italy, are open but the restrictions introduced following the fires in 1999 and 2005 continue to be applied to HGVs.  These can be summarised as follows:

Mont Blanc:  height restricted to 4.7m; minimum speed 50 km/h; maximum speed 70 km/h.  Consult:  www.tunnelmb.com or by telephone on number 00 33 (0)45 05 55 500.

Fréjus:  Vehicles of more than 3.5 tones are subject to 1-hour alternate traffic flows starting at 08:00 leaving France.  Special regulations apply to vehicles carrying dangerous loads.  Details can be obtained from:  http://www.securiteroutiere.equipement.gouv.fr/IMG/pdf/Depliant_welcome_2007-08.pdf

Car crime

Mugging incidents have occurred at isolated rest areas on some French motorways, usually those without petrol stations and cafeterias.  There is also a continuing problem of burglaries which have been reported as taking place whilst travellers have been asleep in their caravans, mobile homes or other vehicles.  Thefts have occurred in rest areas motorways throughout France.  In some cases, victims had first been rendered unconscious by the thieves using gas.  Try to avoid parking in isolated or dark areas of camping grounds or car parks, and consider installing an alarm in your caravan or mobile home.

In and around Calais and Dunkirk British owned cars have been targeted by thieves, both while parked and on the move (eg by thieves flagging down drivers for a lift or indicating that the vehicle has a flat tyre).  In some cases, tyres have been punctured at service stations forcing drivers to stop soon afterwards on the road/motorway.  If you decide or need to stop in such circumstances, be extremely wary of anyone offering help, ensure that car keys are not left in the ignition and that the vehicle doors are locked while you investigate the alleged problem.

If you intend to visit the Commonwealth War Grave cemeteries in northern France, many of which are in isolated areas, you are advised not leave handbags or other valuables in parked cars as they can be the target for thieves.

In the South of France, particularly in the Marseille to Menton area, you are advised to keep car doors locked and windows closed when driving as it is common for bags to be snatched from the front passenger seat, often when the vehicle is stationary at traffic lights and usually by individuals on motorbikes.

In Corsica you are advised to avoid leaving your vehicles unattended by the roadside especially on coastal/beach roads, as thefts are frequent.  Armed robbery can occur but such incidents are rare.

Insurance

All UK car insurance policies automatically provide, at no extra cost, the minimum cover required by law in all European Union (EU) countries. The minimum required is cover for your liability to third parties. If you have an accident, you may not be covered for medical or hospital expenses. Consult your insurance company or a motoring organisation before leaving the UK to make sure that you are fully insured.

Taking your own car

Certain elements of the cover you have in the UK may be restricted to the UK only. So while you might have cover for accidental damage to your own vehicle in the UK, this cover might be removed when you drive abroad. Most people want the same protection they enjoy in the UK when travelling abroad and so you will need to ask your insurer or broker to extend the scope of your cover before you travel if it is not already included. An additional premium may be charged for this extension.

The Green Card

This is an internationally recognised document that serves solely as evidence that the holder has the minimum insurance cover required by law in the country visited. A Green Card provides no insurance cover in itself. Insurers do not charge for a Green Card, though a broker may levy an administration fee for arranging it.

It is not necessary to have a Green Card when travelling to the EU and certain other European countries (see the Association of British Insurers for details), though if you do not take one you should instead carry your Certificate of Insurance. However, a Green Card can serve as easily recognisable proof of third party insurance, for example in the case of an accident, when travelling abroad.

There are other countries party to the Green Card arrangements where you will either need to have a Green Card or purchase insurance at the border. Details of these countries can be found on the Association of British Insurers website.

Accidents.

If you are involved in an accident, immediately tell your insurer or your insurer's representative in the country concerned.

Many insurers issue a European Accident Statement. This enables drivers to exchange facts while events are still fresh in their minds and without admitting liability.

Many insurers offer 24-hour UK-based telephone helplines in case you need help in an emergency. Make sure you have these details with you when you travel abroad.

Breaking Down.

Even if you have extended your policy for driving abroad, this will not cover your car against breaking down. Vehicle breakdown policies can be bought with your holiday insurance or separately. Check to see if your motor insurer can provide this cover.

A policy will cover the cost of hiring a car while your own is being repaired, road-side assistance and emergency repairs, the cost of returning your car to the UK or sending out spare parts, together with emergency accommodation if you are unable to use your vehicle. A monetary limit will apply to each section of the policy.

Hiring a car

When you hire a car abroad, insurance cover is sometimes limited to the legal minimum in the country or state where you hire. You could be held personally responsible for any claim for injury or damage over this limit. Ask your tour operator or insurer if they can provide top-up insurance to increase your cover. This may be cheaper than buying it abroad.

Fast Facts

• Driving is on the right
• Minumum driving age is 18
• Injury claims can be made up to ten years after accident
• Emergency numbers are:
• Police - dial 17
• Fire - dial 18
• Ambulance - dial 15
• Legal requirements are:
• Warning triangle
• Spare bulbs
• Drink-driving limit is 50mg alcohol in 100ml blood

Other European countries

Don't set off unprepared.

Make sure your vehicle is serviced before you leave and that you know about and comply with the vehicle requirements in the countries you are visiting. Don't go without taking:

• a spare set of keys.
• a GB sticker and a set of headlamp converters.
• a fire extinguisher, first aid kit, tool kit, spare bulbs and warning triangle.
• registration document, driving licence and passport. Check whether you need to take an International Driving Permit with you.
• your UK motor insurance certificate, Green Card (if issued), and details of any breakdown and travel insurance, together with any emergency helpline numbers.

Protect against car thieves.

Foreign registered vehicles attract thieves, so do not make your car an easy target:

Lock all doors and the boot when leaving the vehicle as well as closing windows and the sunroof.

Park in a well-lit place.

Avoid leaving possessions in an unattended vehicle. If you have to leave property, make sure it is in a locked boot. In a hatchback, the rear shelf should be in position. In an estate car, cover up property with a sheet or blanket.

Don't leave car ownership and insurance documents in your car when parked.

Use an anti-theft device.

Take your keys with you at the petrol station when you go to pay.