Driving in France Checklist - UK Driver's Guide 2026

Here is everything you need to drive in France from the UK in 2026. This checklist covers documents, safety equipment, vehicle requirements, road rules, and practical tips. Print it out, tick it off, and you will be fully prepared for your trip. From Crit’Air stickers to hi-vis vests, speed limits to fuel terminology - it is all here.

Essential documents

These are the documents you must carry. French police can ask to see them at any time, and not having them is a fineable offence.

Documents you no longer need

• Insurance green card - since 2 August 2021, UK drivers no longer need a green card to drive in EU countries including France. Your standard insurance certificate is sufficient proof of cover
• International Driving Permit (IDP) - not required for UK licence holders driving in France. Your UK photocard licence is recognised directly

Vehicle safety equipment

French law requires specific safety equipment in your vehicle. Police can fine you on the spot for missing items.

Mandatory items

Recommended but not strictly enforced

Vehicle requirements

These are the things to check on the vehicle itself before you set off.

French road rules UK drivers must know

Driving in France is straightforward once you adjust to a few key differences.

Speed limits

French speed limits are in kilometres per hour. They also change in wet weather.

Road Type	Dry Limit	Wet Limit	New Driver Limit
Autoroute (motorway)	130 km/h	110 km/h	110 km/h
Dual carriageway	110 km/h	100 km/h	100 km/h
Single carriageway	80 km/h	80 km/h	80 km/h
Built-up area	50 km/h	50 km/h	50 km/h

“New drivers” means those who have held their licence for less than 3 years. The reduced autoroute limit of 110 km/h applies to them even in dry conditions.

Speed cameras are widespread in France and fines are issued automatically. A typical speeding fine starts at €68 for exceeding the limit by up to 20 km/h.

Priorite a droite (priority to the right)

This is the rule that catches the most British drivers out. At junctions without road markings or signs, traffic coming from the right has priority - even if you are on what appears to be the main road.

This rule applies in towns and villages, on rural roads, and at roundabouts that do not have “cedez le passage” (give way) markings. If in doubt, slow down and check to your right.

Modern roundabouts with give-way lines at each entry work the same as UK roundabouts - traffic on the roundabout has priority. But older, unmarked roundabouts still use priority to the right.

Overtaking rules

• Never overtake on the right (outside lane) on a multi-lane road
• Solid white centre lines mean absolutely no overtaking
• You must indicate when pulling out to overtake and when pulling back in
• On autoroutes, the left lane is for overtaking only - do not cruise in it

Child seat rules

• Children under 10 must use an appropriate child seat or booster in the rear of the vehicle
• Rear-facing seats must not be placed in the front passenger seat if the airbag is active
• Child seats must meet ECE R44/04 or UN R129 (i-Size) standards - most UK-bought seats comply

Mobile phones

• Completely hands-free only - holding a phone while driving is a €135 fine
• Earbuds and headphones are banned - you cannot wear earphones, earbuds, or a headset while driving in France, even for hands-free calls. Use the car’s built-in Bluetooth or a dashboard-mounted speaker
• If you need to use your phone for navigation, mount it on the dashboard or windscreen

Alcohol limits

The French drink-drive limit is 0.5 mg/ml blood alcohol (compared to 0.8 in England and Wales). That is roughly one small glass of wine for most people. For drivers with less than 3 years’ experience, the limit drops to 0.2 mg/ml - effectively zero tolerance.

Dash cams

• Legal to use in France for personal recording and insurance evidence
• Do not share footage publicly that shows identifiable people or number plates without consent
• Keep footage for personal or insurance use only

Tolls and payment

French autoroutes are mostly toll roads (péages). Be prepared for the cost and payment methods.

Vehicle classification at tolls

Class	Vehicle Type	Relative Cost
1	Cars, motorcycles, vans under 2m	Standard rate
2	Cars/vans over 2m tall, vehicles towing trailers	~1.5x standard
3	Two-axle trucks and large motorhomes	~2x standard
4	Three+ axle trucks	~3x standard

Motorhomes over 3 metres tall are charged at Class 2 rates. Caravans and trailers also push you into Class 2.

Fuel

French fuel terminology differs from the UK. Do not fill up with the wrong type.

• SP95 / Sans Plomb 95 - standard unleaded petrol (equivalent to UK unleaded)
• SP98 / Sans Plomb 98 - premium unleaded petrol
• SP95-E10 - unleaded with up to 10% ethanol (check your car is compatible - most post-2011 cars are)
• Gazole / Diesel - diesel fuel. The pump is usually yellow
• GPL - LPG (autogas)
• AdBlue - diesel exhaust fluid, available at most motorway stations for modern diesel cars that need it

Fuel prices in France are typically higher than the UK. Supermarket fuel stations (Leclerc, Carrefour, Intermarché) are the cheapest. Autoroute stations are the most expensive - fill up before joining the motorway if possible.

Emergency information

• European emergency number: 112 - works from any phone, connects to all emergency services
• Breakdown: if you break down on an autoroute, use the orange emergency phones (every 2km) or call your breakdown provider. You must use the autoroute’s designated recovery service - you cannot have your own breakdown company attend on the autoroute
• Accident procedure: stop, put on hi-vis vests, place warning triangle, call 112 if anyone is injured, exchange insurance details, complete a constat amiable (European accident statement) if possible

Final pre-departure checks

That is everything. If you have worked through this list, you are better prepared than 90% of drivers crossing the Channel. Drive safely and enjoy France.