Driving in France requirements

From its bustling cities to stunning Mediterranean coastlines and wine regions, France is a coveted travel destination for many types of travellers, including road trippers. When you’re hiring a car abroad, it’s useful to be prepared for the different driving laws in the country you are travelling to as well as checking which documents you need to carry.

To help make your trip as smooth as possible, we've put together some of the key requirements for driving in France.

• Please note: These rules are subject to change. Please check with your Avis representative if you have any questions.
• Your Avis representative can advise you on local toll and road charges before leaving the Avis car hire location and whether winter equipment like snow tyres or chains are needed.

Take a look at the Avis France location page for ideas, travelling tips and booking information. We also have Great Drives guides for France to help you make the most of your car hire experience.

When driving in France, drivers are required to carry the below items with them:

• A full, valid driving licence
• Certificate of motor insurance
• A UK sticker on the rear of your car
• Warning triangle
• Reflective hi-vis jacket - one per passenger

While not required by law, these items are also recommended:

• Breathalysers - Since 2020, breathalysers have no longer been a legal requirement in France, however many drivers still choose to carry them
• First aid kit
• Fire extinguisher

In France, you drive on the right side of the road. The right-hand lane is the slow lane, while the left lane is for overtaking.

• In built-up areas, you should give way to traffic coming from the right “priorité a droite”
• Bus lanes are reserved exclusively for buses, taxis and bicycles
• Traffic on a roundabout has right of way

For a standard Avis rental vehicle with no trailers:

• Autoroutes (motorways): 130 km/h / 80 mph
• Dual carriageways: 110 km/h / 70 mph
• Main roads outside urban areas/A & B roads: 80 km/h or 90 km/h / 50 or 56 mph 
• Main roads in urban areas: 50 km/h / 30 mph

Please be aware of changing speeds indicated by road signs and change of speed due to weather conditions (the 130 km/h motorway speed for example is reduced to 110 km/h).

​​​​​​​Drivers caught speeding may be subjected to fines of between 45€ to 1500€ and face having points deducted from their driver’s licence. 

In France, it is compulsory for everyone of all ages to wear a seatbelt inside the vehicle. Children under 10 and weighing less than 15kg must be fitted to a child seat.

Please note - It is the child’s parent / guardian or vehicle renter’s responsibility to fit the child seat.

Calling 112 from anywhere in the EU will connect you to the European Emergency Number, which is the equivalent of dialling 999 in the UK. This free-of-charge line allows you to contact the police, ambulance and fire department services. The line is multilingual, with operators able to handle communication in several languages. 

Direct numbers for each service can also be reached by calling from any phone in France:

Police: 17
Ambulance: 15
Fire Department: 18

Do I need a green card to drive in France?

A green card from your car insurer is no longer needed when driving in France. However, it’s a requirement that drivers have at least third party vehicle cover.

Do I need an international driving permit (IDP) to drive in France?

UK driving licence holders do not need an international driving permit to drive in France. 

Do you need a UK sticker to drive in France?

If you’re going to be driving a vehicle from the UK in France, you’ll need to display a UK sticker on the rear of your car. As of September 2021, UK stickers replaced the previous GB stickers. If your car still has a GB sticker on it, it will need to be replaced with a UK one prior to travelling.

A sticker is not required if your vehicle number plate already has a UK flag on it.

Heading on any other trips in Europe or further afield? Check out our Road Rules page to familiarise yourself with other countries’ driving requirements. If you’ve not hired a car before, you can also check out our first-timer’s guide to renting a car.