How to drive in France
The roads are narrow roads to one lane in the countryside to major highways.
Most cities were built before the general availability of the automobile and thus city centers tend to be unwieldy for cars, especially large the most scenic roads in mountain areas also tend to be narrow and winding Keep this in mind when large car rental can be very unwieldy in cities, it is often best just to park and then use public transport.
Roads are classified into the following categories.
A xxx highway highway highway pound red sign.
No road sign red number; sometimes called RN xx.
D xxx main road sharp yellow sign; sometimes called xx xx RD or CDs.
There are also municipal pound sign and white forest road signs toll.
Note that if the major card brands also use a red yellow whiteboard for roads, it has a different red sense means major routes, intermediate routes means yellow, and means white roads A secondary road may be important, for example .
Note that the departmental roads are strictly that each department has its own D1, D2, etc. and D-road numbers change in departmental boundaries The government has gradually transferred national roads departments; they are then numbered generally in a way that recalls the original numbering, for example, in some departments xx national road number becomes the main road number 9 in other xx 60xx 90xx other signs and more cards old can refer to the original number.
Highways, roads and most secondary roads are almost always in good conditions or excellent In some rural areas, the secondary county roads may have worse conditions in mountainous areas, roads may also have been damaged by frost , landslides and so on, if these dangers are always signposted.
The main roads are marked with the names of cities or towns in the direction you are going and secondarily with the green route number directions are to major destinations across the main roads; blue, for directions by means Toll highways toll To leave town directions, seeking a route to all destinations or ALL Other all other destinations is any place other than on an adjacent sign, which will point to the main road.
If you have time, use the back roads, the speed is good and you do not pay tolls; but you have to slow down to 50 km h when driving through villages yet, you can pass through small towns and villages, stop and take a bite at restaurants or buy local wine.
Detailed maps 1.2 million approximately are strongly advised scale unless you stick only to large cities and main highways France has many useful or scenic roads that you will not find on less detailed Michelin maps and IGN provide good maps ; they are also bound atlases containing all the maps for France the European GPS French territory with a detailed map can also be a good choice, especially if you do not have a passenger.
Do not underestimate the driving time, especially if it is a basic rule highway is to wait an average speed of 60 km h through the main roads outside Motorways.
Most freeway highway motorway links are toll roads Some have a toll station giving access to a section, others have entrance tolls and output, and it is quite common to meet the both on the same highway Don t lose your ticket or you will be charged for the longest distance, plus additional fees All toll stations accept credit cards, but you can use automatic toll collection booth that if your car is equipped with an appropriate transponder British citizens can now buy the transponder chip directly Sanef UK 1.
toll paying is quite easy just insert a credit card or give the credit union with your ticket and go Note that Maestro and Visa Electron are not accepted You can pay with coins and sometimes you get a ticket for calculating tolls you must drag the ticket and credit cards in the same slot or in two different slots in general, however, 500 bills are not accepted at the toll booths.
There are almost 12 000 km 7500 mid highways in 2012 Toll Motorways March 4 network have good road and are well maintained free Motorways April 1 network are located close to major cities and good to bad state of the road.
The vast majority of the network is made up of 2x2 with two lanes in each direction, but find 2x3 lanes on highways crowded as the A10 or A6, 2x4 lanes and 2x5 lanes near cities.
The speed limit in towns is 50 km h, although some wide avenues may be labeled 70 km h in areas of downtown or residential, the speed limit can be reduced to 30 km h.
Almost all French cities were built before the availability of auto mass streets in urban centers may date from the Middle Ages and early modern era Expect irregular map, narrow streets, one-way streets, pedestrian through the streets, even if they have a red light, and paved pedestrian areas is almost always a better idea to leave your car in a parking lot before visiting a historical center.
It is often difficult to find a particular street in a city street names are written on small signs, making them difficult to read a car, especially if the traffic is moving, it is almost always mandatory to have a plan for the city that you are visiting to find a street or use a GPS device maps can be purchased from newsagents and libraries If you find yourself in a strange city and you do not have a card, you may want to head for the station station because it will have both a parking lot and a newsagent Find a street in a small town or village can be a challenge because publishers generally do not cards for these Try printing a map from Google maps or using a GPS device.
Outside the cities, however, has often been built after automobiles were widespread Every city has several commercial areas outside the city where the major supermarkets and other shops are located in the middle of the large parking lots; often there will be budget hotels such as Formula 1 or Class Although these areas are unattractive and not typical, they may be the most convenient place to buy supplies if you have a car.
France has several mountainous Vosges, the Jura, the Alps, the Massif Central and the Pyrenees in winter because of snow, some particularly assists roads may be closed to traffic or require snow chains special equipment The roads leading to passages signs that say whether the cervix is open collar open green or red sign closed sign closed.
With the exception of the highest passes, most main roads are maintained for use with snow plows This may not be true of some secondary roads.
During the winter holidays, especially on weekends, expect traffic jams on roads leading to ski resorts.
Unless it is clearly displayed on the road you are using, you are supposed to give way to any vehicle approaching from the right of any other highway However, roads generally run along a system of main priorities lanes will be marked as priority and all crossroads will.
Priority right - the old French system was to give priority to all traffic from the right he is still at the crossroads of unmarked roads in the countryside, in small villages and minor streets in within cities, etc. Most other road crossings have some sort of priority system in place of yellow lozenge signs that your road is a priority all other roads must yield; a yellow diamond with bar shows ends this note; for other countries drivers, it is one of the most confusing aspects of French driving.
France uses many traditional points of roundabouts roundabouts-the French are indicated by a round blue sign, and drivers inside the roundabout must yield to incoming traffic that comes from the right, however most roundabouts are now preceded by a triangular sign international style above a message that you do not have the right of way you do not have the priority, and drivers approaching the roundabout must yield to drivers on roundabout Although many non-European drivers seem to fear roundabouts, there is actually nothing scary for just yield to traffic inside the roundabout and turn right at the exit you want two benefits to roundabouts are if you're not sure which route to take, you can just go around the roundabout until you have decided; , They are as easy to turn around.
Signposts used in France are modeled according to the EU recommendations and most use text symbols are the following signs are essential to find your way on a map and avoid tickets.
Speed of new verification further - either automatic cameras or portable devices.
blue square sign means information with lots of parking meters.
Traffic lights go straight from green to red no red and yellow phase to warn you that they are about to change if you are slow to respond, you can get a gentle reminder of the horn car behind the lights are often high and can not be seen mounted if you are the first car in the queue, often, there is a small light repeater at head height on the pole for this purpose.
Lights have a amber phase and go from green-orange red -for You can switch on a yellow light if you are not able to stop safely However, take care in big cities during peak hours if the traffic seems nervous and congested many drivers can become impatient and try to cross an intersection on an amber light phase and assume that you will do as well.
Some French aggressive drivers pass through an intersection, even if the light is reddened This is not only dangerous but also cameras increasingly illegal, red light cameras at red lights are installed to photograph the license plates of vehicles through red lights Fines levied by red light cameras are automatically mailed.
In case of traffic jam, you are not allowed to pass through an intersection controlled light green if you are not sure of being able to clear the intersection before the light returns to red Do not enter an intersection when it is blocked by vehicles, pedestrians or other traffic at all times regardless of the color of light.
You're not allowed to turn right on a red light, unless a right turn orange arrow, and after selling a vehicle or other road users on the other road.
On some traffic lights there is a small sign of performance with a yellow bicycle and arrow in this sign only allow cyclists turning right on red after yielding the right of way for vehicular traffic and pedestrians.
If the lights are off, or blinking orange, you must follow the signs priority or a yield sign that is present on the light pole or near its attachment point If there is no sign, the priority to right priority right principle applies yield any vehicle coming from the right to take extra care and reduce speed in such cases that disabled fires are rare and can lead to confusing and potentially dangerous situations occurring during any interruption on duty.
The passage of right exercised by an emergency vehicle is always paramount regardless of the color of traffic lights.
Most cars in France results in a manual transmission stick shift, you may find it difficult or impossible to operate if you have only vehicles ever driven with automatic transmissions If you rent a car, and that you want an automatic, so be sure to explicitly request this requirement in advance.
Many personal cars running on diesel fuel; make sure you know if your car runs on diesel fuel or gasoline cars the diesel fuel is more economical to operate than gasoline fueled cars.
When you rent a car in France, it is often advantageous to rent in advance from your home country to obtain a vehicle you want at the best price available Leaving rental plans until the last minute you let vulnerable to foreign currency exchange rate and the volatility of rates during the height of tourist season.
For short-term rentals, you will find many large household name Hertz, Sixt, Avis, Alamo you can book through a number of online portals and compare them side price Orbitz coast, Kayak, Expedia All above rental agencies usually have similar prices, vehicles and rental policies.
For rentals of more than three weeks, it is often advantageous to use a short-term buyback lease program The lease buyback programs are only in French and offer a free alternative to tax the rental car that may have often a lower overall cost and better value than a car rental traditional programs are generally managed by the three major french car manufacturers Peugeot, Renault and Citroen short term rental offers its customers a brand new vehicle, comprehensive insurance, mileage unlimited and flexible rules of conduct in relation to traditional car rental you must be a European resident NOT to take part in this regard and a fall is that you need a car for more than three weeks in order to benefit Only certain service agencies are authorized to sell these leases to US residents some of Them include; France Auto, Inc. US Peugeot Citroën Europass US Renault USA US.
keeping forces of the National Police or gendarmerie order depending on the area can stop you to check that you have a valid driver's license, valid insurance and your vehicle has passed safety tests in the case rental cars, insurance and security documents are provided by the rental company if you have your own vehicle, you may need to show the European green card is not always necessary to prove that you have the insurance If you drive your own vehicle from a country where the minimum legal requirement for third party insurance is in effect, you do not need a green card, but you will need to provide a certificate of insurance as proof that the vehicle is insured.
If you park illegally, the police or traffic wardens will be a ticket under your windshield or wiper You can pay by personal check from a French bank not very useful for tourists or purchase of a tax revenue stamp stamp tobacconist, stick on the ticket, and sent to the authorities If you see that the law enforcement officer, you can pay it directly by cash or check to the Treasury in exchange for a receipt technically, you can also challenge the fine in court if inappropriate, but it is likely to be left to people with lots of time on their hands If you commit a traffic offense using a rental car and you do not pay directly as speeding by a camera radar, the car rental company may charge you for them and may require an additional charge.
law enforcement sometimes read your ticket at the toll station to see how long you took since joining the highway, they are not allowed to use this information to give you a ticket to excess speed D ' Moreover, you should know there is a new automatic system radar picture box that is implemented throughout France for now, this system is most commonly found along major highways and near major cities, but it quickly develops large brown rectangular signs warn when you enter an automated photo radar area.
If you find that the average speed of cars French is surprisingly low 5 minutes before, then you must have entered such a zone.
the police can install the mobile photo-radar system will send you, but the sign is much smaller than for permanent area.
Your speed can also be controlled virtually anywhere, without warning In this case, you will be directly intercepted and fined if you have committed an offense for speeding Very often, these controls are less strict than photo-radar for example, the speed limit is 110 km h, you will be stopped only if you exceed, say, 120 km h, but this is not always the case.
Unless otherwise indicated, the speed limit is 130 km h on motorways highways reduced to 110 km h in urban areas, 110 km h on roads still divided indicated at 90 km h otherwise, and to 50 km h in areas of the city in wet conditions, these limits are reduced respectively to 110 km h to 100 km h to 80 km h, and 50 km h in case of snow, ice or heavy fog, speed is limited to 50 km h on all roads.
In October 2005, speeding fines are typical.
Less than 20 km h over the limit 68 90 in the city area, 1 demerit points.
20-50 km h above the boundary 90 to 250, 2 to 4 demerit points.
More than 50 km h 1500, above minimum limit 6 demerit points.
Drunk driving is a very serious offense The permissible limit is 50 g L 0 0 05 LAC blood being above this limit is illegal and may entitle you to a fine up to 750 and 6 points inability If you found above 0 80 08 0 g L BAC or refuse to take the test, the fine may reach 4500 followed by an immediate withdrawal of driving license; imprisonment and confiscation of the vehicle are also possible.
All passengers must wear seat belts and children under 10 must use the back seat unless there are no rear seats or they are occupied by children under 10 is fine 135 per person not wearing a seat belt, and 1 demerit indicate if the offender is the driver for more information visit the AA.
Being caught with a radar detector, even in your luggage, is a serious offense and will result in the device confiscated and a fine of at least 2,000.
Speaking of a hand held mobile phone while driving is prohibited in France.
In theory, motor vehicles must yield to pedestrians who have started crossing the street and are encouraged to stop for those who have not started in practice, however, many French drive more aggressively Keep in mind, however, that they are more accustomed to local conditions as you.
Many pedestrians cross the street outside the marked passages or when they have a red light, but they feel they have enough time, especially in major cities such as Paris Cyclists also participate in daring maneuvers Remember that even if a pedestrian or cyclist should not have crossed your path according to the traffic rules, if you hurt him, you will still be liable for damages in practice, your insurance will pay and can also be sued for failed to control the vehicle.
The kind of joint creative driving in Mediterranean countries are not accepted in France and is likely to lead to accidents or be stopped by law enforcement.
Three types of fuels are generally available diesel diesel fuel or diesel fuel, gasoline 95RON unleaded octane Unleaded 95 gasoline 98RON unleaded octane 98 unleaded super leaded petrol is no longer available.
A newer fuel available since 2009, is SP95-E10 is generally equivalent to 95 Unleaded; almost all cars from 2000 accept it includes from 10 ethanol and it is slightly cheaper than regular SP95.
All cars accepting Unleaded 98 also accept without LEAD 95 Some current cars, especially high performance, without requiring LEAD 98 but many of these cars include a knock sensor that allows the use of 95 octane fuel with a performance and economic loss.
The stations are located in all cities and villages along the roads, as well as parking lots supermarket service stations Carrefour supermarket Intermarche tend to be cheaper than the total oil brands Shell, and they tend to have automatic machines that work with credit cards at all times.
It can be difficult to find open gas stations at night or on Sundays in rural areas, but a good method is to search for a supermarket, which almost always have pumps working with credit debit card July 24 supermarket chains such as Intermarché have a wide presence in the countryside If you have a GPS unit, you can load maps in service stations and supermarkets on the Internet.
On gas stations are in Highways Services service areas areas they tend to be more expensive than gas stations outside, but many highways them are open on a 24x7 basis.
Elf becomes a self-service station on Sunday, and only accepts smart cards.
Total open 7 days a week with cash still work, and accept credit cards unless both chip, but it is more expensive than other stations.
Esso is a registered Exxon You can find many Esso Express in many cities, and opened only 24x7 accepts credit cards.
Shell is mainly on motorways roadways.
BP stations are fairly common in the Paris region, but less elsewhere.
Some gas LPG gas stations also deliver LPG or liquefied petroleum, but these are often difficult to find outside of major roads within parking is prohibited for LPG cars without safety valve.
As in many other countries, roads and streets in the cities tend to be stuck at times when most people commute to and from work Moreover, the roads leading to and tourist destinations will tend to be stuck at the beginning and end of holiday This is for example the case of the A7 motorway in the Rhone valley with all vacationers North of France, Belgium, the Netherlands, etc. southbound .
Needless to say, if your destination is Paris, give it a wide berth there are now several ways to avoid the capital, for example, the A4 motorway and very congested traffic.
Check the conditions of interference and other issues on the main roads Traffic monitoring.
Here are some simple endpoints that should be taken into consideration when driving in France.
You must be at least 18 years old and possess a valid driver's license from your home country there is a system called French Accompanied conduct while young drivers aged 16 and over can lead to an older adult, but the most likely will not work for non-residents.
It is very important that you stop at stop signs or you may receive a prominent place is the same for red lights.
Respect speed limits; do not drive if you have been too strong-arm tactics drinks many speed sensors and strict punishment for alcohol-related offenses has managed to reduce the losses of the road in France -55 for deaths and accidents between 1986 and 2006 and is likely to continue.
Driving in big cities like Paris Marseille and Lyon are generally not recommended, because they can be difficult to navigate around and parking is almost impossible You'd better park in the suburbs and public transport to get to downtown many motorists do not pay the fees required when parking, which resulted in a dramatic increase clamping parking in restricted areas will often result to be towed.
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