United Kingdom → France

Driving in France when you know the UK

Differences first, worst-to-get-wrong first. Rules that match are folded away at the bottom.

Driving to France from the UK: what to check before you go

These are the key destination rules to check first. The comparison below shows every verified difference. Follow local signs and instructions on the road.

Which side of the road do you drive on in France?: In France you drive on the right.
What is the speed limit in France?: 130 km/h on motorways, 110 km/h on dual carriageways, 80 km/h on country roads and 50 km/h in towns and cities. Those are the national default limits, which apply where no sign says otherwise.
What is the drink driving limit in France?: The legal limit in France is 0.5 g/l. Drivers who passed their test recently are held to 0.2 g/l.
What do you have to carry in your car in France?: You must carry a warning triangle and a high-visibility vest. The vest must be within reach and worn if you leave a broken-down car on the road. Missing either is a 135 euro fine.

Read the full driving rules in France and the required car equipment in France .

Looking to rent a car? Rental agencies often have there own rules on driving ages and equipment, make sure you check with them before you travel.
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What's different (22)

Which side of the road you drive on

Critical

UK · homeLeftChecked 3 Aug 2026

France · destinationRightChecked 3 Aug 2026 · official source

Speed limit on the motorway

Critical

UK · home70 mph — about 113 km/hChecked 3 Aug 2026

France · destination130 km/h — about 81 mph110 in rain. Lower limits are signed in tunnels and roadworks.Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source

Speed limit on country roads

Critical

UK · home60 mph — about 97 km/hSingle carriageway roads.Checked 3 Aug 2026

France · destination80 km/h — about 50 mphDepartments may sign 90 on some roads. Sections with two lanes in the same direction are 90 on those lanes.Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source

Speed limit in towns and cities

CriticalVaries by region

UK · home30 mph — about 48 km/hEngland and Scotland. Wales uses 20 mph as the default in built-up areas.Checked 3 Aug 2026

Wales20 mph — about 32 km/hThe default in built-up areas. Some roads are signed back up to 30.Checked 3 Aug 2026

France · destination50 km/h — about 31 mphCan be raised to 70 where signed. The Paris ring road is 70. Many city centres are signed lower.Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source

How much alcohol you may have in your blood

CriticalStricter than at homeVaries by region

UK · home80 mg/100ml — about 0.8 g/lEngland and Wales. Scotland uses a lower limit.Checked 3 Aug 2026

Scotland50 mg/100ml — about 0.5 g/lChecked 3 Aug 2026

France · destination0.5 g/l — about 50 mg/100mlChecked 3 Aug 2026 · official source

Whether you need an International Driving Permit

Critical

UK · homeNot requiredA full foreign licence is accepted on its own for visits.Checked 3 Aug 2026

France · destinationDepends on where your licence is fromEU and EEA licences are accepted as they are. Other licences must be in French or carried with an official translation or an International Driving Permit.Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source

What you must carry in the car

Critical

UK · homeNothing — no equipment is legally requiredNothing is legally required. Drivers arriving from most of continental Europe expect a triangle and a vest to be compulsory here; they are not.Checked 20 Aug 2026

France · destination

Warning triangle
High-visibility vest

The vest must be within reach and worn if you leave a broken-down car on the road. Missing either is a 135 euro fine.Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source

Which side you overtake on

Important

UK · homeRightChecked 3 Aug 2026

France · destinationLeftOvertaking on the right is only for passing a vehicle turning left, or trams.Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source

Speed limit on a dual carriageway

Important

UK · home70 mph — about 113 km/hChecked 3 Aug 2026

France · destination110 km/h — about 68 mph100 in rain.Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source

Age below which a child needs a child seat

Important

UK · home12 yearsUntil age 12 or 135 cm tall, whichever comes first.Checked 3 Aug 2026

France · destination10 yearsA child under 10 must use a restraint suited to their size and weight.Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source

Winter tyres

Important

UK · homeNot requiredChecked 3 Aug 2026

France · destinationRequired where signs say soIn 34 mountain departments from 1 November to 31 March, marked zones require either four winter tyres (3PMSF marking) or snow chains on board. Zones are signed at their entrance.Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source

Largest motorbike or scooter you may ride on a car licence

Important

UK · home

Engine up to 50 cc

A full car licence lets you ride a moped up to this engine size without L plates or a moped test. If you passed your car test on or after 1 February 2001 you must first complete a compulsory basic training (CBT) course. Anything larger needs CBT and the motorcycle tests. The Highway Code's Annex 2 defines the two-wheeled moped class by a maximum design speed of 45 km/h (28 mph) rather than by engine size; that figure is not on the page cited here. Stated for licences issued in Great Britain; the source does not say whether foreign car licences get the same allowance.Checked 2 Sep 2026

France · destination

Engine up to 50 cc
Power up to 4 kW
Top speed up to 45 km/h

Permis B covers a moped (cyclomoteur) with no extra step; the AM category is not needed if you hold another category such as B. The source defines the class as two or three wheels, 45 km/h maximum, 50 cc maximum if it has a petrol engine, and 4 kW maximum motor power, so the engine cap is for petrol machines and the power cap applies to all. Riding a light motorbike or scooter up to 125 cc and 11 kW on permis B needs the licence held for at least 2 years and a 7 hour practical course, which gives a certificate. Holders of a European B licence must also do the course. The source does not say whether a non-European car licence gets the moped allowance.Checked 2 Sep 2026 · official source

What a rider must wear or carry

Important

UK · homeNothing beyond a helmetNo law requires protective clothing beyond the helmet. Eye protection is advised, and if worn it must meet an approved standard.Checked 2 Sep 2026

France · destination

Gloves
High-visibility vest
Reflective stickers on the helmet

Rider and passenger must wear CE marked gloves. A hi-vis vest must be carried on the rider or the bike and worn if you stop on the road after a breakdown. The helmet must carry four reflective elements: front, back and both sides.Checked 2 Sep 2026 · official source

How you pay for motorways

Important

UK · home

Toll booths
City charges

Almost all motorways are free. The M6 Toll and several bridges and tunnels charge. London and Durham charge to drive in the city centre.Checked 3 Aug 2026

France · destination

Toll booths
Electronic tolls with no barriers

Most motorways are tolled. Newer free-flow sections (A13, A14, A79) have no barriers — pay online or at a tobacconist within 72 hours, or fines follow the number plate.Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source

Hands-free phone calls

Good to know

UK · homeAllowedThe phone must be in a holder or fully hands-free, and must not block your view.Checked 3 Aug 2026

France · destinationAllowed, with restrictionsEarpieces, earphones and headsets are all banned while driving. Only systems built into the car are allowed.Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source

Who has priority at a roundabout

Good to know

UK · homeTraffic already on the roundabout goes firstGive way to traffic approaching from your right, unless signs say otherwise.Checked 3 Aug 2026

France · destinationDepends on the signsAlmost all roundabouts have give-way signs, so traffic already on the circle has priority. On the rare unsigned ones, entering traffic from the right has priority instead — Place de l'Étoile in Paris works this way.Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source

Youngest age you may ride the smallest class of scooter

Good to know

UK · home16 yearsCategory AM. CBT, a theory test and a practical test are needed for a full moped licence.Checked 2 Sep 2026

France · destination14 yearsThe BSR (category AM) can be taken from age 14 and covers mopeds under 50 cc limited to 45 km/h. People born before 1988 need no licence for a moped.Checked 2 Sep 2026 · official source

Riding between lanes of slow traffic

Good to know

UK · homeAllowedNo law bans filtering. The Highway Code tells riders to take care and keep their speed low when filtering in slow-moving traffic, and tells drivers to expect it.Checked 2 Sep 2026

France · destinationAllowed, with restrictionsLegal everywhere in France since 11 January 2025, but only on motorways and dual carriageways with a central reservation, at least two lanes each way and a limit of 70 km/h or more, and only when traffic is in continuous queues on all lanes. Ride between the two leftmost lanes at 50 km/h maximum, 30 km/h if one lane is stopped. Two or three wheelers up to 1 m wide only. No overtaking other filtering riders.Checked 2 Sep 2026 · official source

Smallest motorbike allowed on the motorway

Good to know

UK · home

Engine at least 50 cc
Power at least 4 kW

The rule is set by engine size, not vehicle class: riders of motorcycles under 50 cc (4 kW) must not use motorways, so a machine of exactly 50 cc is allowed. The Highway Code gives the power figure in brackets as the equivalent of the engine size rather than as a separate test. Riders holding only a provisional motorcycle licence must not use motorways either.Checked 2 Sep 2026

France · destination

Engine at least 50 cc
Power at least 4 kW
Top speed at least 45 km/h

The ban is by vehicle class: Code de la route article R421-2 lists cyclomoteurs among the vehicles refused access to motorways, with no figures of its own. The cited source is article R311-1, which defines a cyclomoteur as a two or three wheeler with a design speed of no more than 45 km/h, an engine of no more than 50 cc if petrol, and no more than 4 kW. A machine at exactly 45 km/h is still a cyclomoteur and stays off the motorway; one that is above ANY of the three caps is classed as a motorcycle and may enter, so a machine does not have to be above all three. Motor tricycles up to 15 kW and 550 kg unladen are also refused.Checked 2 Sep 2026 · official source

Headlights on a motorbike in daytime

Good to know

UK · homeNot requiredDipped headlights in daylight are advised to make the rider easier to see, but they are not required.Checked 2 Sep 2026

France · destinationRequired at all timesIn daytime, motorbikes and mopeds must ride with dipped headlights or daytime running lights on.Checked 2 Sep 2026 · official source

Emergency number

Good to know

UK · home999112 also works and reaches the same service.Checked 3 Aug 2026

France · destination112Direct lines also work: 15 medical, 17 police, 18 fire.Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source

Typical fines

Minor

UK · home

Holding a phone — fine from 200 GBP, 6 points (Drivers who passed their test within the last 2 years lose their licence instead.)

Checked 3 Aug 2026

France · destination

Holding a phone — fine from 135 EUR, 3 points

Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source

Known on one side only (19)

Speed limit in rain or snow

UK · homeNot yet verified

France · destination

Motorway — 110 km/h
Dual carriageway — 100 km/h

Applies when rain or other precipitation is falling.Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source

Speed limit for drivers who passed their test recently

UK · homeNot yet verified

France · destination

Motorway — 110 km/h
Dual carriageway — 100 km/h
Country roads — 80 km/h

For the probationary period: 3 years after the test, or 2 with accompanied driving. Applies whatever the weather.Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source

Speed limit when towing a trailer or caravan

UK · home

Motorway — 60 mph
Dual carriageway — 60 mph
Country roads — 50 mph

Checked 3 Aug 2026

France · destinationNot yet verified

Alcohol limit for drivers who passed their test recently

UK · homeNot yet verified

France · destination0.2 g/lFor the whole probationary period. In practice this means do not drink at all.Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source

Priority to traffic coming from the right

UK · homeNot yet verified

France · destinationYes — traffic from the right goes first at unmarked junctionsAt an unmarked intersection, traffic from the right has priority. This catches out visitors — a car pulling out from a small road on the right may have the right of way.Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source

Height below which a child needs a child seat

UK · home135 cmUntil 135 cm tall or age 12, whichever comes first.Checked 3 Aug 2026

France · destinationNot yet verified

Youngest age a child may sit in the front

UK · homeNot yet verified

France · destination10 yearsExceptions: a rear-facing baby seat with the airbag off, no back seats, no rear seatbelts, or the back full of other under-10s.Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source

What the lines and painted kerbs mean

UK · home

Double yellow line — no parking. No waiting at any time, even without an upright sign.
Single yellow line — no parking during signed hours. The hours are on nearby time plates, not on the road.
Double red line — no stopping. Red routes. No stopping at any time.
Single red line — no stopping. Red routes. Applies during the times shown on nearby signs.
White zigzag line — no stopping. Marks the approach to a pedestrian crossing.

Checked 3 Aug 2026

France · destinationNot yet verified

How long you may drive on your own licence

UK · home12 monthsCounted from when you last entered Great Britain.Checked 3 Aug 2026

France · destinationNot yet verified

When you must switch your headlights on

UK · homeNot requiredHeadlights are required at night and when visibility is seriously reduced.Checked 3 Aug 2026

France · destinationNot yet verified

Parking on the pavement

Varies by region

UK · homeNo single national answer:

EnglandAllowedExcept London, where it is banned. Discouraged everywhere, and obstructing the pavement can be fined.Checked 3 Aug 2026

ScotlandNot allowedChecked 3 Aug 2026

WalesAllowedDiscouraged, and obstructing the pavement can be fined.Checked 3 Aug 2026

France · destinationNot yet verified

Parking facing against the traffic

UK · homeAllowedBy day only. At night you must not park facing against the traffic flow unless in a recognised parking space.Checked 3 Aug 2026

France · destinationNot yet verified

How far you must park from a junction or crossing

UK · home

A junction — 10 m

Advisory rather than a fixed law, except where markings say otherwise.Checked 3 Aug 2026

France · destinationNot yet verified

What happens if you park wrongly

UK · homeNot yet verified

France · destination

A fine
Towing

Obstructive parking can mean immobilisation and the pound, not just a fine.Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source

When winter tyre rules apply

UK · homeNot yet verified

France · destination1 November to 31 MarchChecked 3 Aug 2026 · official source

Snow chains

UK · homeNot yet verified

France · destinationRequired where signs say soChains on the drive wheels satisfy the mountain-zone rule if you do not have winter tyres. A specific sign can make chains compulsory on a given road.Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source

Low-emission zones

UK · homeIn many citiesLondon has its own ultra low emission zone. Clean air zones operate in Bath, Birmingham, Bradford, Bristol, Portsmouth, Sheffield and Tyneside, and Scottish cities have separate low emission zones. Most only charge vehicles that miss emissions standards.Checked 3 Aug 2026

France · destinationNot yet verified

Congestion charges

UK · homeIn some citiesLondon and Durham.Checked 3 Aug 2026

France · destinationNot yet verified

What you should carry, but do not have to

UK · home

Warning triangle
First aid kit
Fire extinguisher
High-visibility vest

Advised, not required. One motorway exception is worth knowing: do not set a warning triangle out on a motorway hard shoulder — get behind the barrier instead.Checked 20 Aug 2026

France · destinationNot yet verified

Same in both (6)

Youngest age you may drive — 17 years official source
Holding a phone while driving — Not allowed official source
Turning at a red light — Not allowed official source
Who must wear a seatbelt — Everyone, in every seat official source
Helmets on a motorbike or scooter — Required for rider and passenger official source
Whether police can fine you on the spot — Yes — visitors must pay at the roadside official source