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Driving Tips in France

Car Hire Depots
Driving Distances
Driving Licence
Driving Age
Rules and Regulations
Equipment
Child Safety Seats

Speed Limits
Drink Driving
Tolls
Road Signs
Parking
Visa Information

Car Hire Depot information in France

A car hire with DriveAway Holidays offers convenience and freedom on your holiday in France. Our reputable suppliers offer competitive rates amongst a wide range of vehicles and destinations.

Car Hire Driving Distances in France

Avignon to Marseille – 100 kms (1hr)
Bordeaux to Toulouse – 245 kms (2 hrs / 20 mins)
Marseille to Nice – 210 kms (2 hrs)
Nice to Montpellier – 325 kms (3 hrs)
Paris to Versailles – 25 kms (30 mins)
Pairs to Frankfurt, Germany – 575 kms (5 hrs / 20 mins)

Driving Licence

A full valid driver’s licence is required for a minimum of 2 years. An international drivers licence is required.

Age Restrictions

Generally the minimum age is 21 years, but can vary between the car hire company and location. Maximum age limits apply in some locations, a young/senior driver surcharge may apply. Please check Terms and Conditions when making an enquiry or booking.

Road Rules, Laws and Driving Regulations

General driving rules, laws and driving regulations in France;

Driving is on the right hand side of the road.
Overtake others on the left hand side of the road.
Seat belts are to be warn by all occupants.
The use of a mobile phone while driving is prohibited, with the exception of a hands-free system.
Radar detecting devices are prohibited.
Bus lanes are reserved exclusively for taxis, buses and bicycles.
Drivers are to carry with themat all times while driving, a valid drivers licence, registration documents and insurance documents.
Dipped headlights are to be used during poor daylight visibility.

Equipment

It is mandatory to carry the following equipment in your vehicle.

Warning Triangle; to be used at the event of an accident or breakdown to warn following traffic
Visibility Vest; must be worn before stepping out of the vehicle at the event of a breakdown, incident or accident.

Motorists are also required to carry a spare set of bulbs and fuses.

Child Safety Seats

Children under the age of 10 years old are required to be seated only in the back seats of the vehicle and be wearing a seat belt or fasted in an appropriate restraint.

Speed Limits

Speeding is a serious offence in France, many speed camera's are in operation around the country along with hidden mobile police radars. Below are the speed limits in France, unless posted otherwise.

Low Visibility (less than 50m): 50km/h
Urban Roads (built up areas): 50km/h
Rural Roads (outside towns): 90km/h and 80km/h when raining
Dual Carriageways: 110km/h and 100km/h when raining
Motorways: 110-130km/h

Drink Driving

The legal blood alcohol content (BAC) in France is 0.05g/100ml. Police have the authority to pull over drivers and carry out alcohol and drug tests.

Tolls

Highway tolls are applicable on most Autoroutes marked with 'A'. Tolls are determined on distance travelled and payments are accepted in cash and with most major credit cards.

Road Signs

Road Signs in France adopts the standardization of the Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals which many European countries now utilize, but with slight variance. Signs in France are commonly found in the countries local language however English is also used on city roads and state highways. The signs are very easy to understand as the vast majority of them are posted with symbols. Warning Signs are generally triangular in shape with a red border, white background or yellow and a symbol in the middle. Prohibitory Signs are signs which motorists must obey. These signs vary in shapes from a circle, octagon and a square. You will find these signs in either blue with a white symbol in the middle and white with a red border. Information Signs are indicated with a blue or green background and white text providing motorists with information.

Parking

Within many large cities in France, parking is generally charged. Parking is only permitted in spaces marked in white and those marked in yellow are reserved for commercial vehicles. Parking is to be paid for if you see a sign saying 'Payant'. Parking tickets can be purchased from machines located along the street, which accept cash and most major credit cards. Tickets can be purchased up to 2 hours and will need to be displayed on the front windscreen of the vehicle. For extended parking there are many parking lots readily available but can get quite costly. Parking is strictly monitored, vehicles found without a ticket, over their time limit or illegally parked may find having their vehicles towed and a hefty fine.

Visa Information

Visa, Passport, and entry requirements for New Zealanders visiting France;

New Zealand passport holders do not require a visa for the purpose of tourism and business for stays up to 90 days.
A valid passport is required with at least 6 months validity.