Driving in France

Driver’s license

If you come to France for a short stay (for holidays for example), you can drive with your licence. It must be valid and be written in French or accompanied by an official translation in French or an international license.

If you live in France, you can use your permit for a period of one year, under certain conditions. Beyond one year, you must have exchanged your foreign license for a French license.

For more information: https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/N19126

Virtual points license

France plans to assign points to the driving license of holders of a foreign license driving in France ("virtual points permit").

This number of points will be reduced if the driver commits an offense in France.

If this number of points reaches zero, the driver will be banned from driving on French territory for a period of one year. In the event of non-compliance with this prohibition, the offender incurs a prison sentence of 2 years and a fine of €4,500, as well as immediate immobilization of the vehicle.

Speed limits

In France, the maximum authorized speed is:

• 50 km/h in town;
• 80 km/h outside built-up areas on two-way roads without a central separator (some lanes may occasionally set the limit at 90 km/h);
• 110 km/h on roads with 2 carriageways separated by 1 median strip (100 km/h in rainy weather);
• 130 km/h on motorways (110 km/h in rainy weather).

In the event of non-compliance with this limitation, motorists will be fined and notices of fines sent to the perpetrators of the offenses committed.

Mobile Phone Use

Driving with a phone in your hand or wearing an audio device such as earphones, earphones or headphones in your ear is prohibited, and is liable to:

• a fixed fine of €135;
• a withdrawal of 3 points from the driving license

In addition, hand-held cell phone use combined with another traffic violation results in an on-the-spot driver’s license suspension. If no other driver holding a valid driving license can drive the vehicle, it is immobilized.

Alcohol and drug use

The permitted alcohol limit is 0.5 g of alcohol per liter of blood. It is 0.2 g of alcohol per liter of blood for public transport drivers, probationary licenses and people in apprenticeship.

Driving, or accompanying a learner driver, after having used substances or plants classified as narcotics, is prohibited, regardless of the quantity consumed.

Driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics may result in on-the-spot driver’s license suspension. If no other driver holding a valid driving license can drive the vehicle, it is immobilized.

If the offense is found on the side of the road and if the vehicle is immobilized, it will be impounded for 7 days and only a person with a driving license and insurance can recover it.

Security devices

Wearing a seat belt is compulsory in all vehicles, front and rear. Children must be properly seated and secured in special restraints.

Wearing a helmet and gloves is compulsory for drivers and passengers of motorized two-wheelers.

The presence of a safety vest and a warning triangle (in addition to the hazard warning lights) is mandatory in any vehicle.