Motoring in France
Driving to Juvanzé
Driving to Juvanzé from the UK is straightforward, with much of the journey from Calais following the A26 autoroute. French motorways are generally easy to navigate, but there are a few differences in French driving laws and road rules that UK drivers should know before travelling.
The information below covers the main points for UK visitors driving to France. Always follow local road signs, as posted restrictions take priority over the general limits shown here.
Documents to Take
Driving Licence
A valid UK photocard driving licence can be used for a visit to France. If you only have an older paper licence, check the current requirements before travelling as you may need an International Driving Permit.
Passport
Carry your passport with you while travelling in France. It is your main form of official identification as a UK visitor.
Vehicle Documents
If you are taking your own vehicle from the UK, carry your V5C vehicle log book. If the vehicle is hired or leased, you will normally need a VE103 or other appropriate authorisation showing that you have permission to take the vehicle abroad.
Insurance
UK vehicle insurance provides at least the minimum third-party cover required for driving in the EU. You do not normally need an insurance Green Card for France, but check your policy before travelling to make sure you have the level of cover you want, including breakdown cover if required.
UK Vehicle Identifier
The old GB identifier has been replaced by UK. If your number plate already displays the UK identifier together with the Union flag, you do not normally need a separate UK sticker when driving in France.
If your number plate has no UK identifier, displays GB, an EU symbol, or an English, Scottish or Welsh national identifier, you will need a UK sticker on the rear of the vehicle.
Speed Limits in France
Unless road signs indicate a different limit, the following general limits apply to ordinary cars in France.
| General Speed Limits | ||
|---|---|---|
| Road Type | Normal Conditions | Rain / Precipitation |
| Built-up areas | 50 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Other roads outside built-up areas | 80 km/h* | 80 km/h |
| Dual carriageways separated by a central reservation | 110 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Motorways | 130 km/h | 110 km/h |
*Some sections of road may be signed at 90 km/h. Always follow the posted speed limit. If visibility falls below 50 metres, the maximum speed is 50 km/h on all roads, including motorways.
Minimum Motorway Speed
There is not a general 80 km/h minimum speed across the whole motorway. However, when traffic is flowing freely and weather and visibility are good, vehicles using the far-left lane of a motorway must not travel below 80 km/h.
Drink Driving
The general legal alcohol limit in France is 0.5 g of alcohol per litre of blood (equivalent to 0.25 mg per litre of breath). Lower limits apply to certain drivers, including drivers covered by French probationary licence rules.
A breathalyser is not compulsory equipment in a car in France. The simplest and safest rule is the same as at home: if you are driving, avoid alcohol.
Roundabouts
At the normal modern French roundabout (carrefour à sens giratoire), vehicles entering must give way to traffic already circulating on the roundabout, much as they do in the UK.
Do not assume that every circular junction works in exactly the same way. France still has some junctions where different priority rules apply, so pay attention to the signs and road markings as you approach.
Priorité à Droite – Give Way to the Right
One French road rule that can catch out UK drivers is priorité à droite – priority to traffic coming from the right.
At an intersection without signs or markings changing the priority, a driver approaching from the left must give way to a vehicle approaching from the right. Take particular care at smaller junctions and in towns and villages, and always follow any priority, stop or give-way signs present.
Traffic Lights
French traffic lights use the familiar red, amber and green system, but the sequence differs slightly from the UK. There is no red-and-amber stage before green.
A steady amber light means you should stop unless you are too close to stop safely. A flashing amber light warns of a particular hazard and allows you to proceed, subject to any applicable priority rules or signs.
Pedestrian Crossings
Drivers in France must give way to pedestrians who are properly crossing the road or who clearly indicate that they intend to cross. Approach pedestrian crossings carefully and be prepared to stop.
Equipment to Carry in the Car
| Vehicle Equipment | |
|---|---|
| High-visibility vest | Compulsory. Keep it within easy reach so it can be put on before leaving the vehicle in an emergency. |
| Warning triangle | Compulsory. It should be used to warn other traffic when a stopped vehicle presents a danger, unless placing it would put you in danger. |
| Spare bulbs | A spare bulb kit is not itself compulsory, but your vehicle’s required lights must work. Carrying spare bulbs is recommended where they can be replaced by the driver. |
| Breathalyser | Not compulsory. |
| First-aid kit | Useful to carry, but not compulsory for an ordinary private car in France. |
| Fire extinguisher | Useful to carry, but not compulsory for an ordinary private car in France. |
Headlights
Your vehicle’s lights must be in working order and must not dazzle other road users. UK vehicles with headlights designed for driving on the left may require adjustment or suitable beam converters when driving on the right in France. Check the requirements for your particular vehicle before travelling.
Mobile Phones and Headphones
Using a hand-held mobile phone while driving is illegal in France. Drivers are also prohibited from wearing devices in or on the ear that emit sound, including earphones, earbuds and headsets, apart from permitted hearing-assistance devices.
If you need to use your phone for navigation, set it up before you start driving and use it in a safe, legal manner.
Radar Detectors and Speed-Camera Warnings
Radar detectors and devices designed to warn drivers of the precise location of speed enforcement equipment are prohibited in France. This also applies to carrying such prohibited equipment in the vehicle.
If you use a sat-nav or navigation app, make sure it is configured for use in France and does not provide prohibited radar or speed-camera location warnings.
Emergency Telephone Numbers
| Emergency Numbers | |
|---|---|
| European emergency number | 112 |
| Police / Gendarmerie | 17 |
| Fire & Rescue | 18 |
| Medical emergency (SAMU) | 15 |
| Emergency SMS / accessibility service | 114 |
For UK visitors, 112 is particularly useful because it is the European emergency number and can direct you to the appropriate emergency service.
Useful French Road Signs and Phrases
| Useful French | |
|---|---|
| Attention travaux | Roadworks / warning – works ahead |
| Bouchon | Traffic jam |
| Chaussée déformée | Uneven / poor road surface |
| Cédez le passage | Give way |
| Déviation | Diversion |
| Gravillons | Loose chippings |
| Parking payant | Paid parking |
| Péage | Toll |
| Ralentissez | Slow down |
| Rappel | Reminder that the displayed restriction continues |
| Route barrée | Road closed |
| Sens interdit | No entry |
| Stationnement interdit | No parking |
km/h to mph Conversion
| km/h | 20 | 30 | 40 | 50 | 60 | 70 | 80 | 90 | 100 | 110 | 120 | 130 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| mph | 12 | 19 | 25 | 31 | 37 | 43 | 50 | 56 | 62 | 68 | 75 | 81 |
Fuel in France
Petrol is normally labelled Essence and diesel is Gazole or Gasoil. Fuel is readily available along the autoroutes and in towns, with supermarket filling stations often worth checking if you want to avoid motorway service-area prices.
Many filling stations are automated outside normal opening hours, so it is sensible to have a suitable payment card available as well as your usual method of payment.
French Public Holidays
Public holidays can affect shop opening hours, although motorway services and many larger stores may still open. The main nationwide French public holidays are:
- New Year’s Day – 1 January
- Easter Monday – date varies
- Labour Day – 1 May
- Victory in Europe Day – 8 May
- Ascension Day – date varies
- Whit Monday – date varies
- Bastille Day – 14 July
- Assumption Day – 15 August
- All Saints’ Day – 1 November
- Armistice Day – 11 November
- Christmas Day – 25 December
Opening arrangements vary, so if you are travelling on a public holiday it is worth checking shops and services you plan to use in advance.
Driving laws and regulations can change. This guide is intended as practical information for visitors travelling to Juvanzé and should not replace official French road signs or current government guidance.