10 mistakes foreigners should avoid when driving in France

While driving through France’s countryside is one of the great pleasures of relocating here, there are important differences between French road rules compared to the UK and the US.  

Before getting behind the wheel in France, it is important to understand these differences because failure to do so can put other road users or pedestrians in danger and could result in hefty fines, or worse.

From Crit’Air stickers to using your phone while driving, we look at some of the most common driving errors newcomers on France’s roads need to be aware of.

1. Priority to the right 

Priority is to the right (priorité à droite) meaning drivers must generally yield to traffic coming from the right, even on main roads and on intersections without signage. See this Connexion article to help understand when this rule applies. 

It applies to all road users (and was adopted in much of continental Europe in 1926) and is defined in Article R415-5 of the Code de la route:

“When two drivers approach an intersection from different roads, the driver coming from the left is obliged to give way to the other driver, unless otherwise provided for.”

Failure to observe the rule where it applies can result in a €135 fine and a four-point deduction on a French driving licence.

2. Mandatory Crit’Air stickers

Low-emission zones (ZFEs) are now mandatory in cities including Grenoble, Lille, Lyon, Marseille, Paris, Reims, Rouen, Strasbourg, with more areas expected to be added in the future. 

ZFEs require vehicles (even those with foreign plates) entering these urban areas to display a Crit’Air sticker, which allocates a rating from 0 (fully electric vehicles) to 5 (diesel lorries). 

You can order a Crit’Air sticker at certificat-air.gouv.fr for €3.77 (the site is available in English) and you should receive it within a few days. It should then be placed inside your windscreen. 

Failure to display a sticker if driving in a low emission zone can technically lead to a fine of €68, rising to €135 in some cases. 

3. Reduced alcohol limit

In France, the limit is 50mg of alcohol content in 100ml of blood, while in the UK (excluding Scotland) and the US (excluding Utah), it is 80mg of alcohol per 100ml. 

France also has stricter rules in place for newer drivers (in their first three years) and those on a probationary licence, dropping the limit to 20mg of alcohol per 100ml.

Roadside police checks including random breath tests have intensified across parts of France, particularly in south-western regions.

4. Note carrying a yellow vest and red triangle

Drivers in France should always carry a red triangle in the boot and have a yellow vest at hand (eg. in the glove compartment).

If you break down in the road, you are meant to get out wearing the vest and place the triangle about 30m behind the car (this is not obligatory on motorways if doing so will put you in danger).

You can be fined if you are subject to a police check and are not suitably equipped.

Another item commonly carried is an accident form in the case of a collision, though these can also now be filled out using an app.

5. Weather influence on speed limits

Weather conditions, such as storms and heavy rain, can lower speed limits. 

The speed limit on motorways (autoroutes) drops from 130 km/h to 110 km/h in the rain. On motorways where the speed limit is already 110 km/h, this drops to 100 km/h. On national and departmental roads where the speed limit is 90 km/h, it drops to 80 km/h. 

On departmental roads where the speed limit is 80 km/h there are no changes during the rain. Speed limits also remain unchanged on smaller roads (70 km/h, 50 km/h, 30 km/h). 

In heavy fog and other weather that negatively affects visibility, your speed limit is reduced to 50 km/h if you cannot see more than 50 metres ahead of you. You must also be careful to use the correct lights. 

6. Driving too slowly

Drivers on the far-left (fastest) lane of a motorway must drive at a minimum of 80 km/h (barring heavy traffic or poor weather) or they risk a second-class fine of €35. 

No points are deducted from a driver’s licence for the offence, however.

Generally, this is up to the discretion of police officers, who will act if they believe a person’s driving is dangerous (including if they are going too slow). 

Generally speaking drivers should also not drive at an abnormally low speed in any motorway lane, such as to cause obstruction to other drivers or create dangerous conditions. 

7. Compulsory winter tires or chains

From November 1 to March 31, Loi Montagne 2 affects all vehicles with four or more wheels in certain French departments. See this Connexion article to find out where exactly the law applies.

Drivers in affected areas must use snow tyres that have the 3PMSF icon on them, as well as carry and use winter chains or socks (chaussettes à neige textiles) for at least two wheels, which can be put on to improve safety in the event of snow and ice.

Drivers caught without the right equipment can be fined €135.

8. Switch off your engine while parked

Fines can reach up to €135 for running an engine while parked.

This rule first came into use in 1963 and applies in all situations where a vehicle is parked, except for certain situations such as cold starting in low temperatures.

9. Exchanging foreign licenses

New residents with UK licences can keep using a UK photocard licence until it expires as long as it was first issued before 2021 (see the date shown on the back for the start of car driving rights), however those with licences first issued since 2021 new must apply for an exchange within 12 months of becoming a French resident. 

American licence holders are also required to exchange these to a French one within one year of becoming a French resident.

However, some US states do not have a reciprocal exchange agreement with France, meaning that if you are moving to France from one of these states you will have to take the French driving test to be able to continue to drive in France.   

10. Using smart devices 

Article R412-6-1 of the Code de la route bans all use of smart devices (any screens not intended to help the driver, including phones and tablets) by drivers, in scenarios where the vehicle’s engine is still running - even if stopped at traffic.

Holding a device while driving can trigger a fine of €135, and drivers lose up to three points on their licence. 

Driving-specific apps such as GPS can be used if the phone sis in a holder and you do not touch the screen. 

Using headphones or any other in-ear device is illegal, however hands-free devices are allowed if the noise is played out loud, such as through the phone’s or car’s speaker.