French Road Signs Explained for UK Drivers 2026

Most French road signs follow international conventions, but several key signs have no UK equivalent. Priority signs, ZFE zone markers, and the infamous priorité à droite rule are the ones that catch British drivers out. Here is what you need to recognise.

Priority signs — the most important to learn

Yellow diamond — you have priority

A solid yellow diamond on a white background means you are on a priority road. Traffic from side roads must give way to you. This is similar to being on a main road in the UK, but is explicitly signed in France.

Yellow diamond with black line — priority ends

The same yellow diamond with a diagonal black line through it means your priority has ended. From this point, the default priority from the right rule applies — traffic from the right has right of way.

Priorité à droite (priority from the right)

This is the most important rule for UK drivers to understand. Where there are no priority signs:

• Traffic coming from the right has right of way — even from a tiny side road
• You must be prepared to stop and give way to vehicles entering from the right
• This applies in towns, residential areas, and rural junctions
• It does NOT apply on roundabouts (give way to traffic already on the roundabout) or where priority signs indicate otherwise

Watch for an upside-down white triangle with a red border — this is the “give way” sign and indicates that you do NOT have priority at that junction.

Speed limit signs

French speed limit signs are circular with a red border and a number in the centre (same as the UK). Key differences:

• All values are in km/h — not mph
• Town entry signs — a white rectangular sign with the town name automatically means the speed limit drops to 50 km/h. There is not always a separate speed limit sign
• Town exit signs — the same sign with a red diagonal line means you are leaving the built-up area and the open-road limit resumes (typically 80 km/h)
• End of limit signs — a white circle with a grey diagonal line means the previous specific limit has ended and the default limit for that road type applies

ZFE zone signs

When approaching a ZFE (Zone à Faibles Emissions), you will see:

Zone entry sign

A circular sign with a red border showing the Crit’Air categories allowed to enter. The sign typically shows coloured circles representing the permitted sticker categories (0, 1, 2, etc.). Categories not shown are banned.

Zone reminder signs

Inside the zone, periodic signs remind you that restrictions are in place. These often include the text “ZFE” or “Zone à Faibles Emissions.”

Zone exit sign

The same circular sign with a grey diagonal line indicates you are leaving the ZFE. Restrictions no longer apply beyond this point.

Motorway signs

• Blue background — motorway (autoroute) direction signs
• Green background — non-motorway primary route signs
• White background — local direction signs
• Péage — toll ahead
• Sortie — exit
• Aire de repos — rest area (no fuel)
• Aire de service — service area (with fuel)
• Rappel — reminder (usually below a speed limit sign, meaning the limit continues)
• Bis — alternative route (marked on green signs with the word “Bis” — routes to avoid congestion)

Signs that catch UK drivers out

“Sauf” — meaning “except”

Often seen as “Sauf riverains” (except residents) or “Sauf livraisons” (except deliveries). If a no-entry sign says “sauf” followed by something, certain vehicles are exempt.

“Sens unique” — one-way street

One-way streets in French towns are very common and not always obviously signed.

“Toutes directions” — all directions

Follow this sign at roundabouts if you are passing through a town and want to continue on the main road.

“Centre-ville” — city centre

Useful when you want to head into town, but be aware this may take you into a ZFE zone.

“Déviation” — diversion

Temporary road diversion. Follow the yellow signs.