Driving

Drivers of popular family car warned over seat theft risk in France

Warning comes after spate of thefts targeting rear seats

Unnecessarily driving in the middle lane in France can result in a fine

More than half of motorists drive in this lane on motorways at night and weekends

Reports of ‘phantom braking’ by cars on French roads raise safety concerns

Fear that potentially faulty braking assistance systems could lead to major crashes

practical

Tips for saving money on motorway travel in north France

Some motorway service stations in France offer discount deals on food, drink, and fuel

Section of major French motorway to close for most of August

Closure of A14 that links Paris to western suburbs will heighten busy summer traffic for holidaymakers returning to the capital

Spanish authorities are systematically stopping cars with certain French number plates

Police believe the cars may be stolen or linked to crime

Two French companies to sell fuel at cost price this weekend

Some 1,500 stations will sell petrol at reduced rate during busy holiday traffic period

What to do if your French vehicle breaks down abroad

There are steps to follow to ensure that you are best prepared should this happen

Can neighbours park outside of my house in France?

It is sometimes illegal to park in front of your own property

French driving rules that surprise foreign drivers

Priorité à droite, alcohol limits and mandatory equipment can catch drivers out

Why does France have so many quirky motorway sculptures?

Giant boars, cockerels, horses and strange geometric shapes - all can be traced back to a law that says a certain amount of the budget for new infrastructures must be spent on art

France resident hit with €1,195 bill for charging car in Spain

The British motorist charged his EV at a Shell Recharge station

Second-home owners: used car or rental in France?

Choice between registering a vehicle or renting one depends on number of factors

Can someone take a car for French roadworthiness test when its owner is away?

Vehicles without a test certificate cannot be used

Road deaths on Nice’s Promenade des Anglais spark alarm over safety crisis

Popular seaside route described as ‘an open-air cemetery’

How do drivers prove French vehicle is insured when driving in the EU?

Green insurance stickers were replaced in 2024

Driving in summer in France: rules and tips to remember

Driving barefoot, items on your vehicle, air conditioning - check what is different in France

Flashed by a French speed camera but did not receive a fine: are you off the hook?

Fines can be issued up to one year after a speeding incident

France summer holiday traffic: worst days to travel in July and August 2025

Traffic will once again reach critical levels on these dates

More car recalls impact many drivers in France

Hundreds of thousands of Peugeot, Citroën, Fiat, DS Automobiles, and Opel vehicles are affected by engine problem

Reader tips on how to save money on driving and tolls in France

Here are your suggestions on how can motorists save on their summer road trips

Public electric car recharging points in France: how they work and why fees vary so much

From calculating prices to payment methods, we look at electric vehicle recharge options

More French roads return to 90km/h speed limit

Updated map as Morbihan in Brittany becomes latest department to cancel the 80km/h limit

Part of French motorway to run 'charge‑as‑you‑drive' trial for electric cars

The technology is fitted beneath a 1.5km stretch of the A10 near Paris

French lawmakers finalise new ‘driving homicide’ offence after campaign by grieving families

New offence will not increase penalties for under-the-influence drivers but bring relief to victims

French car registration documents go digital - but not yet for foreign residents

La carte grise can now be uploaded into France Identité app alongside driving licences, ID cards and cartes Vitale

Refuelling your car is cheaper at certain times of the day in France

Commuter rush sees morning prices spike but there are cheaper periods

Will I keep tow trailer and caravan rights when swapping to French driving licence?

Rules changed for drivers after Brexit

Be aware of the rules when driving from France to Italy, Germany or Spain

Failing to follow country-specific rules can incur fines

Takata airbags: 800,000 more vehicles in France affected by ‘stop drive’ alert

You can check if and how your vehicle is affected on a dedicated government website

What are the current rules for children using booster seats in France?

There are strict regulations on booster seat manufacturing

Graph: New fuel rises in France put in context of recent years

Increase in price comes after several months of falling costs

Do unused vehicles need to be insured in France?

Uninsured vehicles can expose their owner to fines of up to €3,750

What are the rules on using air conditioning in your car in France?

Drivers should be careful about using certain features when parked

Do high temperatures affect driving rules in France?

Speed limits have been lowered in recent weeks after pollution spikes

Good news for drivers crossing into Italy from France as radar rules changed

Radars must be focused on preventing accidents and not generating revenue

Red air pollution alerts raised in Brittany

Increasingly warm weather means air quality across the whole region will be ‘poor’ tomorrow (June 20)

Driver checks to increase around Lyon after high number of fatal crashes

Road deaths have more than doubled in the area since January compared to the same period last year

Car rentals in France: users provide feedback on sector

Leading consumer association notes drivers are satisfied with vehicles but face issues with contracts and pricing

French MPs vote to ban low-emission zones: what happens now?

‘Simplification’ bill passes after tight vote but matter is far from clear

More Citroën cars in France issued with ‘stop drive’ orders after driver death

Death of a driver in eastern France has been linked to a faulty airbag

France’s free blue parking zones: who can use them and for how long

Drivers need a time disc or risk a fine

Fatal car crash in France linked to faulty Takata airbag: how to check models affected

The incident involved a Citroën C3 car from 2014

Temporary driving restrictions imposed in parts of France due to air pollution

High ozone levels and fine particle concentrations caused by heat, dust, and transatlantic wildfire smoke blamed

Famous Le Mans 24 hour is steeped in British tradition

The venerable competition takes place this weekend continuing a tradition that dates from the 1920s - and a a Bentley win. Cloudy conditions are expected

Can non-French no claims bonuses be added to new policies?

France’s no claims system is different to many elsewhere

Over 100 drivers fined for filming motorway crash - what French law says

People who filmed lorry crash while driving face fines and points deductions

French licences show if you need glasses: fines possible if you drive without them

Insurers may not pay out in case of an accident

Major road tunnel between France and Italy to reopen this month after 12 years of works

The new Tende tunnel will be inaugurated on Friday, June 27

Why drivers should keep their Crit’Air stickers - even if low-emission zones end

MPs voted to end the ZFEs but this does not necessarily mean the end of the coloured windscreen stickers

What is the mysterious blue line on motorway exit in south-east France?

It runs along the hard shoulder of the A57 motorway

The six Crit’Air stickers for air pollution zones in France

Vehicles are required to display the vignettes in low-emission zones in several cities

400,000 illegal speed bumps can stay, French court rules

New bumps must comply with law

Nine more French departments to have unmarked speed radar cars

An increasing proportion of the cars will be operated by private contractors

Driving laws in France: can you ever take off your seatbelt?

Some countries allow drivers to remove seatbelt when reversing their vehicle

Over 77,000 Ford cars recalled in France over fuel leakage concern

Repair costs to be covered by manufacturer but slots are currently scarce

UN Conference brings extra police checks to south-east France

Police in towns across Alpes-Maritimes are on alert

Are dashcams legal to use for drivers in France?

A major court ruling applies to the use of cameras in vehicles

Are Crit’Air vignettes still needed in France after MPs vote to axe low-emission zones?

The sticker scheme came into force in 2017

Driving in France: do you need to wait for three seconds at stop signs?

This is a common driving school tip but it may not have legal basis

Beware of common scam linked to toll-free motorways in France after holiday weekend

Drivers warned of fake messages purportedly from a leading motorway payment service

Construction on half-built motorway can continue, rules French court

It is the latest court decision concerning the highly-contested and much-debated A69 road

Fewer drivers on phones but risky habits persist on French roads, report finds

Tailgating, road rage and driving while tired are also still prevalent

New speed cameras being installed along major coastal road in Nice

The cameras’ locations along the Promenade des Anglais will be frequently changed

Taxi driver protests continue in south and Paris: weekend disruption expected

Major demonstrations planned in prime minister’s hometown of Pau

French road network 'on brink of collapse', mayors warn

Lack of state funding for local authorities is sorely felt in some areas

MPs vote to end France's ZFE low-emission zones despite government opposition

Cross-party majority introduces amendment against them in a broader economic simplification bill on May 28

D-Day events: Residents and visitors warned to check driving and parking rules

Many towns holding major remembrance events are set to close roads and ban parking next weekend

How to avoid large traffic jams this long weekend in France

A ‘black day’ of traffic is expected in the north on Sunday

How to find EV charging points when towing a caravan in France?

There are several apps available with up-to-date information

Can over-70s renew UK driving licences from France?

Non-UK residents should not renew their licence with British authorities

Do French speed cameras adjust to lower limits in poor conditions?

Heavy rain, fog, hail, or snow demand lower speed limits - but do speed cameras reflect this?

Police increase checks on drivers in south of France due to rise in accidents

One department has recorded four times the number of deaths compared to the same period last year

Mystery of driving fines sent from France to UK homes post Brexit

This week’s new EU-UK partnership agreement includes measures to facilitate the sharing of driver data

Tips to avoid excessive extra charges when renting a car in France

The majority of hire companies investigated failed to provide a full quote or had other anomalies