Driving in France for the First Time: Tips for a Relaxing Family Journey

For many families, driving to France is part of the adventure. Having your own car gives you freedom, flexibility, and plenty of luggage space — especially useful when travelling with children. But if it’s your first time driving in France, the thought of unfamiliar roads, autoroutes, toll booths, and driving on the right can feel a little daunting.

The good news? France is actually one of the easiest countries in Europe for a UK driver to explore by car. French roads are generally excellent, well signposted, and far less congested than many UK motorways.

With a little preparation, your first French road trip can be surprisingly stress-free.

Getting Used to Driving on the Right

The biggest concern for most first-time drivers is driving on the right-hand side of the road. Fortunately, most people adjust far more quickly than they expect.

A few helpful tips:

• Take things slowly for the first hour or two
• Remind yourself: “driver nearest the centre line”
• Use your passenger as an extra reminder at junctions
• Be especially careful when leaving petrol stations or quiet parking areas
• Roundabouts run anti-clockwise in France — traffic already on the roundabout usually has priority

Many drivers find the transition easiest after arriving via ferry because you can gradually adapt on quieter roads before reaching major motorways.

Understanding French Roads

French roads are generally well maintained and clearly classified by letter prefixes.

Autoroutes (A Roads)

Autoroutes are the French motorway network. They are usually toll roads, marked with blue signs and numbers beginning with “A”, such as A10 or A6.

These roads are fast, efficient, and ideal for long-distance travel. Service stations are frequent and often include cafés, picnic areas, and children’s play areas.

Routes Nationales (N Roads)

National roads connect major towns and cities. They are usually free to use and can be a pleasant alternative to toll motorways if you are not in a hurry.

Routes Départementales (D Roads)

Departmental roads are local roads maintained by regional authorities. These roads often pass through villages and countryside and are perfect for scenic family drives.

Village Roads

Smaller rural roads can be narrow, winding, and occasionally surprisingly busy during summer holidays. Take care in villages where local priority rules may still apply.

Important French Road Signs

French road signs are usually easy to understand, but a few are particularly important for visitors.

Priority Road Sign

A yellow diamond with a white border means you have priority at junctions until the sign ends.

Priority to the Right Warning

A triangular warning sign with a black cross warns that upcoming junctions follow the French priorité à droite rule — traffic joining from the right has priority.

Stop and Give Way

French “STOP” signs are the same as in the UK. Give way signs say “Cédez le passage”.

Speed Cameras

France uses many fixed speed cameras, often clearly signposted in advance.

Environmental Zones

Signs marked “ZFE” indicate low-emission zones where Crit’Air rules may apply.

Basic French Highway Code Rules

French driving laws are strictly enforced and on-the-spot fines are common.

Speed Limits

In dry conditions, Motorways are 130km/h, Dual Carriageways are 110 km/h, Main Roads are 80 km/h and Built up areas are 50 km/h. In wet weather, motorway speeds reduce to 110 km/h.

Priority to the Right

Unless signs indicate otherwise, vehicles approaching from the right may have priority — even if they are joining your road. This rule is less common than it once was but still appears in villages and residential areas.

Overtaking

You overtake on the left in France. Lane discipline on motorways is usually excellent, with drivers returning to the right-hand lane promptly after overtaking.

Seat Belts and Child Seats

Seat belts are compulsory for all passengers. Children under 10 must use an appropriate child restraint unless specific exemptions apply. Even stopping on the hard shoulder to use your phone can result in penalties unless it is a genuine emergency.

Alcohol Limits

France has a lower drink-drive limit than the UK: 0.5 g/l blood alcohol level for most drivers and lower limits for new drivers. The safest option is simple: if driving, don’t drink alcohol.

French Autoroutes: Easy but Not Free

France’s autoroutes (motorways) are usually smooth, fast, and far quieter than UK motorways. They are ideal for covering long distances with children.

However, most autoroutes are toll roads.

Be Prepared for Tolls

Toll booths accept debit & credit cards, contactless payment and cash (euros). It’s still worth carrying some cash in case you encounter an older machine or card issue.

For regular visitors, a toll autopass (péage badge) can make journeys much easier. These small electronic devices allow you to drive through dedicated fast lanes without stopping to pay manually. They are increasingly popular with UK travellers and can save a lot of stress during busy holiday periods. Take a look at sites like Tollbird or Emovis Tag to prepurchase an autopass before you travel.

Essential Things You Must Carry in Your Car

French law requires certain items to be carried in your vehicle at all times. You should always have:

A warning triangle

A reflective hi-vis jacket for each occupant of the vehicle

A valid driving licence

Vehicle registration document (V5C)

Proof of insurance

Passport

UK identifier on your vehicle – UK-registered vehicles must display a UK sticker unless the number plate already includes the UK identifier with the Union flag. Old-style GB stickers are no longer valid on their own.

What You Need to Do to Your UK Car Before Driving in France

Before you leave, check your car carefully and make sure you have:

Headlamp Beam Deflectors

UK headlights dip left and can dazzle French drivers. You’ll need beam deflectors unless your car has adjustable headlights.

Valid Insurance

Check that your insurance covers driving in Europe. Most UK insurers include France, but it’s important to confirm.

Vehicle Documents

Make sure you always carry your driving licence, V5C logbook, Insurance certificate and passport. If the car is leased, financed, or hired, you may also need a VE103 permission form.

Crit’Air Stickers & Low Emission Zones

Many major French cities now operate environmental zones (ZFE zones). Some cities require vehicles to display a Crit’Air emissions sticker before entering certain areas.

If you plan to drive into cities such as Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse, or Strasbourg, check local requirements before travelling.

Buy your sticker ahead of your journey at the official Crit’Air website

Mobile Phones

Using a handheld mobile phone while driving is illegal. Even stopping on the hard shoulder to use your phone can result in penalties unless it is a genuine emergency.

Fuel Stations in France

Petrol stations on autoroutes are convenient but expensive. Supermarket fuel stations are usually much cheaper and are common throughout France.

Many unattended pumps require chip-and-pin cards, so check your bank card works abroad before travelling.

What to do in the event of a road accident in France

If you are involved in a road accident in France involving another vehicle, don’t be surprised if the other driver produces a form called a constat amiable. This is the standard French accident report form used to record what happened and exchange insurance details. It’s a normal part of the process and does not mean anyone is admitting fault.

If possible, contact your insurance company straight away. Many insurers have English-speaking assistance lines or local representatives in France who can help guide you through the next steps. If your car cannot be driven and you have European breakdown or repatriation cover, contact them as soon as possible too.

Most importantly, if anyone has been injured in the accident — even slightly, and even if the accident was not your fault — you must stay at the scene until the police arrive. Leaving before they attend is a legal offence in France.

A Few Final Tips for a Stress-Free Drive

Download offline maps before travelling

Pack snacks and water for long journeys

Plan regular stops — French motorway service areas are often excellent for families

Avoid arriving in major cities during rush hour

Take breaks and don’t try to drive too far in one day

Our advice is: If you are really wary, try a day trip – that means if you don’t enjoy it you haven’t wasted a holiday (money, time off work etc.) on the experience.

Another option is to stay near one of the ports. St Malo, Cherbourg and Roscoff are really convenient in this regard, although there’s no reason why you can’t stay near Calais.

Try to ensure your first experience of travelling in France involves a journey via one of the Calais ports. That way your first experience of driving in France will be on relatively quiet Autoroutes (Motorways) and you will have some time to acclimatise before you have to tackle any towns/villages.

Take things really easy. The French generally drive quickly, but let them get on with it and drive at your own speed. No-one will mind and if they do, tough! As things will be a bit strange for a while you need to allow yourself time to think, especially around towns, so don’t be rushed into anything.

Make sure you have plenty of time. Split your journey across several days if necessary – this helps keep you alert whilst driving and is a great way to get some real French culture, especially if you stay in a B+B (Chambre D’Hôte).

Don’t drive if you’re tired. Especially think twice about trying to make an overnight dash for the south coast – we did it once but we would never recommend it, even with two people to share the driving as we did. We were wrecked the next day and it was incredibly hard to stay awake, even with the heating vents blowing cold air straight in our faces!

Try to have an experienced driver in the passenger seat. When you need to overtake something they are your eyes and ears, especially when you are trying to judge whether it is safe to pull out or not. Also they can collect tickets and pay at toll booths!

Obey the law! See rules of the road section – not an exhaustive analysis, but gives some useful guidance.

If in doubt, keep right!

Most importantly, relax. French drivers are generally experienced motorway users, and once you settle into the rhythm of driving on the right, many people find driving in France calmer and easier than driving in the UK.

Before long, you’ll be cruising through sunflower fields, stopping at village bakeries, and wondering why you ever worried about it in the first place.

Bon voyage and happy driving!

 

French Roads + Law: We explain to you about the types of roads in France, major road signs and basic highway code.

Priorité à Droite: This famous feature of French driving etiquette still causes confusion today! Priorité a Droite info here.

Route Planning: Advice on route planning with the best maps, traffic advice and the best rest areas on the main autoroutes.