Driving

French prefecture threatens to suspend licences for using phone when driving

Motorists could be without licence for up to six months. A trial period next month will decide on course of action

New road signs drivers in France should be aware of

Free-flow motorways, level crossings, and ‘stopover villages’ all affected

Unmarked radar cars to begin patrols in two new French departments

Radar cars will patrol roads with speed limits of 70 km/h or higher and focus on areas near major cities

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France launches new €1,000 grant for electric cars with European-made batteries

Purchasers will automatically receive discount on final price

France looks to digitalise traffic fines

Online platform set to simplify administrative procedures and end the problem of fines getting lost in the post

Car part thefts on rise in France: Item stolen every five minutes

Headlights, wheels and catalytic converters are most common items stolen

Speed cameras in France: how far from warning signs are they?

The authorities use these signs to inform drivers they are approaching a speed camera

What to be aware of when lending a car to family or friends in France

Vehicle insurance policies include specific clauses detailing who is authorised to borrow it

Issues with my new French camping car: who should I contact?

New purchases in France are covered by warranties

‘120km/h to zero in seconds’: Phantom car-braking on motorway near Lyon

Driver calls for urgent recognition of the risks posed by automatic systems

EV charging in France: tips from a Tesla driver with second home in south

Jonathan Wort, 73, regularly travels across from the UK

Connexion reader US-bound after driving licence issue resolved in France

Ron Kirk lost his ‘A’ category for riding large bikes after moving to France 15 years ago

Electric car leasing, winter tyres, ‘malus’ system expanded: What will impact drivers in France in coming months?

We look at what you need to know to make savings, avoid fines and penalties and stay within the law

Mont Blanc tunnel closure - see alternative options

The tunnel will close from September until mid December

French taxi strikes in September called off... for now

Drivers threatened airport and station blockade amid incoming medical transport fee changes

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

French MP proposes all vehicles carry extinguisher to prevent wildfires

The rule is already in place in some other EU countries

France’s priorité à droite rule – what it means and when it applies

The priority to the right rule is a core – albeit confusing – principle of French driving law

Private speed camera cars to start operating on the French Riviera

It is one of several measures to reduce speeding drivers along Nice’s Promenade des Anglais

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

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

Are driving licence points deducted in France for cycling offences?

Cars are not the only vehicles in France regulated by the Code de la route

Can French radars flash drivers in both directions?

The country is upgrading how it monitors speeding, including new cameras and unmarked cars

France to change the rules to legitimise illegal speed bumps

Up to 400,000 speed bumps are to be legalised, angering road safety associations

Explained: Motorway rules and tolls in France

The changes in France's autoroute system, from new routes to toll innovations and speed limit debates

Car that caused Marseille wildfire did not have valid roadworthiness test

Flames from engine led to devastating fire - but car should not have been on road

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