United States → France
Driving in France when you know the United States
Differences first, worst-to-get-wrong first. Rules that match are folded away at the bottom.
What's different (1)
Emergency number
Good to knowUnited States · home911Checked 3 Aug 2026
France · destination112Direct lines also work: 15 medical, 17 police, 18 fire.Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source
Known on one side only (28)
Which side of the road you drive on
United States · homeNot yet verified
Speed limit on the motorway
Varies by regionUnited States · homeNo single national answer:
Texas75 mph — about 121 km/hThe commission may set 80 or 85 where the road is designed for it — the highest signed limits in the country.Checked 3 Aug 2026
California65 mph — about 105 km/hThe general maximum unless 70 is posted.Checked 3 Aug 2026
France · destination130 km/h110 in rain. Lower limits are signed in tunnels and roadworks.Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source
Speed limit on country roads
Varies by regionUnited States · homeNo single national answer:
Texas70 mph — about 113 km/hThe statutory maximum unless the commission raises it for a numbered highway.Checked 3 Aug 2026
California55 mph — about 89 km/hOn a two-lane undivided highway, and for anything towing a trailer.Checked 3 Aug 2026
France · destination80 km/hDepartments 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
Varies by regionUnited States · homeNo single national answer:
Texas30 mph — about 48 km/hThe default through an urban district unless zoned otherwise.Checked 3 Aug 2026
France · destination50 km/hCan 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
Varies by regionUnited States · homeNo single national answer:
California0.08 % BAC — about 0.8 g/lChecked 3 Aug 2026
What you must carry in the car
United States · homeNot yet verified
France · destination
- Warning triangle
- High-visibility vest
Which side you overtake on
United States · homeNot yet verified
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
United States · homeNot yet verified
Speed limit in rain or snow
United States · homeNot yet verified
France · destination
- Motorway — 110 km/h
- Dual carriageway — 100 km/h
Speed limit for drivers who passed their test recently
United States · homeNot yet verified
France · destination
- Motorway — 110 km/h
- Dual carriageway — 100 km/h
- Country roads — 80 km/h
Alcohol limit for drivers who passed their test recently
United States · 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
Youngest age you may drive
United States · homeNot yet verified
France · destination17 yearsLowered from 18 in January 2024. Under-18s may not drive outside France.Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source
Holding a phone while driving
Varies by regionUnited States · homeNo single national answer:
CaliforniaNot allowedChecked 3 Aug 2026
Turning at a red light
Varies by regionUnited States · homeNo single national answer:
CaliforniaAllowedAfter a complete stop at the limit line, yielding to pedestrians, unless a NO TURN ON RED sign is posted.Checked 3 Aug 2026
France · destinationNot allowedA complete stop is required at every red light. Cyclist exceptions are signed.Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source
Priority to traffic coming from the right
United States · 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
Who must wear a seatbelt
United States · homeNot yet verified
Age below which a child needs a child seat
United States · homeNot yet verified
France · destination10 yearsA child under 10 must use a restraint suited to their size and weight.Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source
Youngest age a child may sit in the front
United States · 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
Winter tyres
United States · homeNot yet verified
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
How you pay for motorways
United States · homeNot yet verified
France · destination
- Toll booths
- Electronic tolls with no barriers
Alcohol limit for professional drivers
Varies by regionUnited States · homeNo single national answer:
California0.04 % BACCommercial vehicles, and passenger-for-hire driving.Checked 3 Aug 2026
France · destinationNot yet verified
Hands-free phone calls
Varies by regionUnited States · homeNo single national answer:
CaliforniaAllowed, with restrictionsAdults may use hands-free mode. Drivers under 18 may not use a phone at all.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
United States · homeNot yet verified
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
What happens if you park wrongly
United States · homeNot yet verified
France · destination
- A fine
- Towing
When winter tyre rules apply
United States · homeNot yet verified
Snow chains
United States · 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
Whether police can fine you on the spot
United States · homeNot yet verified
France · destinationYes — visitors must pay at the roadsideA driver who does not live in France must generally pay the fixed fine or a deposit immediately, and the car can be held until it is paid.Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source
Typical fines
United States · homeNot yet verified
France · destination
- Holding a phone — fine from 135 EUR, 3 points
Same in both (1)
- Whether you need an International Driving Permit — Depends on where your licence is from official source