A car is a convenient way to move around in France. Roads are very well maintained and the French road network includes 4960 miles of motorways (many with tolls) which link Paris and the main provincial towns and cities.

Driver's License

A valid driving licence needs to have been held for at least 1 year. In most countries you must be at least 21 years of age. Driving into neighbouring countries, or completing your rental in a different town/airport may be permitted for a small fee depending on the country and location. Additional driver and young driver / minimum age limits also vary by country.

What services are on the Motorways (Paige)?

Every 10km: rest areas for short stops. Every 30 or 40 km: service stations and restaurants. Every 100km or more: motels for overnight stops.

When to leave? Which route to take?

Information on the cost of tolls, the total mileage, restaurants, service stations and hotels along the way are all available on the web site: auto routes. More than 13 million routes and itineraries can be consulted to travel between any of the 3600 towns featured. Information on cultural sites and heritage of each region is available also from this service.

Finding your way

Road maps can be found in bookstores and in all service stations. I.G.N. maps give the most detailed coverage of France. Michelin maps cover main road networks and regions.

Highway code

Cars in France drive on the right. Unless indicated otherwise, speed limits are 50km/h in towns, 80km/h on the Paris beltway, 90km/h on main roads, 110 km/h on dual carriage ways and 130 km/h on motorways. Vehicles on main roads and have priority. In cities and towns the right of way is sometimes given to vehicles coming in from the right.

Important Information

Most motorway service stations have 'baby corners' with changing facilities and high chairs.
All passengers must wear seat-belts.
Bus lanes are reserved exclusively for buses, taxis and bicycles.
Drivers license, insurance certificate and vehicle registration documents must be presented at controls.

In case of accidents

In the event of a car accident, you must fill out a damage assessment form (you will find them in the glove compartment of your rental car or you may request it from your insurance company. It must be signed by the other party, and in the event of a dispute or a refusal to complete the form, you should immediately obtain a constat d'huissier. This is a written report from a bailiff (huissier). In the event of an dispute, call the police so that it can make out an official report. In the event of an injury, call the SAMU (15) or the fire brigade (18). The police are only called out to accidents when someone is injured, a driver is under the influence of alcohol or the accidents impedes traffic flow. Please notify your car hire office as soon as possible.

Rush hour

In Paris and all major towns, traffic is at its most congested at rush hours when people set off for or return from work - usually between 7:30 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. and between 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. On Fridays, traffic can be difficult earlier, especially at the exits from Paris. Between rush hours, traffic is usually fluid, even in Paris. The rest of France is a joy to drive around, little traffic and good roads.

Where to park

Parking is strictly regulated in many areas. Dotted road markings indicate parking spaces. Remember that you can only park on white spaces; those marked 'Payant' are pay-for-parking spaces and unmarked spaces are free. Yellow markings indicate spaces reserved for utility vehicles and other markings (GIC-GIG) for people with the relevant card. Dotted yellow lines on the edge of a pavement indicate that brief stops are authorized (for dropping off passengers). Many parking spaces in major cities are regulated by parking meters that can be found along the edge of pavements. You can pay for between 15 minutes and 2 hours (from 5F to 15F an hour). Your ticket must be displayed clearly inside your car. In case of non-payment or parking longer than the time allowed, you risk a fine of 75F. A large number of modern and safe underground parking lots exist in town centers. They cost more than parking at ground level, but guarantee a space and flexible hours of stay.

Before Setting Off

For information on road conditions, consult regional information centers before you set off:

Ile-de-France/Centre 33 (0) 1 48 99 33 33
North 33 (0) 3 20 47 33 33
East 33 (0) 3 87 63 33 33
West 33 (0) 2 99 32 33 33
South-West 33 (0) 5 56 96 33 33
Rhone-Alpes/Auvergne 33 (0) 4 72 81 57 33
Mediterranean 33 (0) 4 91 78 78 78
For motorway conditions throughout France:
Autoroute info 33 (0) 1 47 05 90 01

Types Of Roads

Autoroutes (Marked on signs with A) Express highways for which you must pay tolls. Routes Nationales (Marked on signs with N) National motorways for which there are no tolls, often with several lanes. Routes Departementales (Marked on signs with D) Smaller scenic country roads with less traffic.

Tolls

Highway tolls in France are generally cheap, and travelers should be prepared to stop several times during their trip to pay (toll booths are called peages). Cash and all major credit cards are accepted.

Seat Belts

Seat belts are required for all passengers riding in cars.

Break Downs

If your car breaks down, try to move it to the side of the road so that it obstructs the traffic flow as little as possible. You are advised to seek local assistance as, at the present time there is no nationwide road assistance service in France. On autoroutes, emergency phones are located every 2km. The use of warning triangles or hazard warning lights is mandatory in the event of an accident or break down.