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France - Make your dream come true.
GENERAL ADVICE ON DRIVING IN FRANCE
Some of this information is from a very useful site - From - http://us.franceguide.com/driving_france.asp Driving in France A car is a convenient way to move around in France. Roads are very well maintained and the French road network includes 4960 miles of motorways (many with tolls) which link Paris and the main provincial towns and cities. Driver's License A valid US driver's license is sufficient. The legal driving age in France is 18 years. An international driver's license is not required U.S. citizens. You are also required to carry the vehicle's registration document, and the current insurance certificate (a green card is not mandatory but remains internationally recognized and helpful). Also, a nationally plate or sticker is required. Car rental agencies will provide their customers with all these necessary documents. If the vehicle you are driving is borrowed, in addition to all the above, a letter of authorization from the owner is necessary. What services on the highways (autoroutes)? Every 10km: rest areas for short stops. Every 30 or 40 km: service stations and restaurants. Every 100km or more: motels for overnight stops. When to leave? Which route to take? Information on the cost of tolls, the total mileage, restaurants, service stations and hotels along the way are all available on the web site: http://www.autoroutes.fr . More than 13 million routes and itineraries can be consulted to travel between any of the 3600 towns featured. Information on cultural sites and heritage of each region is available also from this service. Finding your way Road maps can be found in bookstores and in all service stations. I.G.N. maps give the most detailed coverage of France. Michelin maps cover main road networks and regions. Hitch-hiking in France The French often stop to take on hitchhikers. It's a good idea to indicate your destination clearly on a sign. To be sure of a ride, contact the organization 'Allostop', which puts hitch-hikers in touch with drivers in exchange for a modest fee (inscription fees + 22 centimes per km). Allostop: 33 (0)1 53 20 42 42 or 33 (0)1 53 20 42 43 from outside Paris. Web site: http://pcb.ecritel.fr/allostop/welcome.html - French language only Highway code Cars in France drive on the right. Unless indicated otherwise, speed limits are 50km/h in towns, 80km/h on the Paris beltway, 90km/h on main roads, 110 km/h on dual carriage ways and 130 km/h on motorways. Vehicles on main roads and have priority. In cities and towns the right of way is given to vehicles coming in from the right. Vehicles in traffic circles have the right of way over vehicles entering, as indicated on road signs. Important Information Most motorway service stations have 'baby corners' with changing facilities and high chairs. All passengers must wear seat-belts. All riders of scooters, mopeds and motorcycles must wear helmets. Bus lanes are reserved exclusively for buses, taxis and bicycles. Drivers license, insurance certificate and vehicle registration documents must be presented at controls. In case of accidents. In the event of a car accident, you must fill out a damage assessment form (you will find them in the glove compartment of your rental car or you may request it from your insurance company. It must be signed by the other party, and in the event of a dispute or a refusal to complete the form, you should immediately obtain a constat d'huissier. This is a written report from a bailiff (huissier). In the event of an dispute, call the police so that it can make out an official report. In the event of an injury, call the SAMU (15) or the fire brigade (18). The police are only called out to accidents when someone is injured, a driver is under the influence of alcohol or the accidents impedes traffic flow. Rush hour In Paris and all major towns, traffic is at its most congested at rush hours when people set off for or return from work - usually between 7:30 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. and between 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. On Fridays, traffic can be difficult earlier, especially at the exits from Paris. Between rush hours, traffic is usually fluid, even in Paris Where to park Parking is strictly regulated in many areas. Dotted road markings indicate parking spaces. Remember that you can only park on white spaces; those marked 'Payant' are pay-for-parking spaces and unmarked spaces are free. Yellow markings indicate spaces reserved for utility vehicles and other markings (GIC-GIG) for people with the relevant card. Dotted yellow lines on the edge of a pavement indicate that brief stops are authorized (for dropping off passengers). Many parking spaces in major cities are regulated by parking meters that can be found along the edge of pavements. You can pay for between 15 minutes and 2 hours (from 5F to 15F an hour). Your ticket must be displayed clearly inside your car. In case of non-payment or parking longer than the time allowed, you risk a fine of 75F. A large number of modern and safe underground parking lots exist in town centers. They cost more than parking at ground level, but guarantee a space and flexible hours of stay. Before Setting Off For information on road conditions, consult regional information centers before you set off: Ile-de-France/Centre 33 (0) 1 48 99 33 33 North 33 (0) 3 20 47 33 33 East 33 (0) 3 87 63 33 33 West 33 (0) 2 99 32 33 33 South-West 33 (0) 5 56 96 33 33 Rhone-Alpes/Auvergne 33 (0) 4 72 81 57 33 Mediterranean 33 (0) 4 91 78 78 78 For motorway conditions throughout France: Autoroute info 33 (0) 1 47 05 90 01 Types Of Roads Autoroutes (Marked on signs with A) Express highways for which you must pay tolls. Routes Nationales (Marked on signs with N) National motorways for which there are no tolls, often with several lanes. Routes Departementales (Marked on signs with D) Smaller scenic country roads with less traffic. Tolls Highway tolls in France are generally more expensive than in the U.S, and travelers should be prepared to stop several times during their trip to pay (toll booths are called peages). Cash and all major credit cards are accepted. Seat Belts Seat belts are required for all passengers riding in cars. Car Rental You can make arrangements to hire before your departure. Many packages from travel agents and tour operators include a car rental as an option. The main car rental companies are represented in France including Hertz, Budget, Avis and National. The renter must have had a valid driver's license for at least one year, The minimum age to rent a car in France is 21, although many companies require that the renter be at least 25 years of age and hold a major credit card. Most rates include unlimited public liability and property damage insurance and comprehensive coverage against the loss of the vehicle by fire and theft. The renter is responsible for collision damage to the rented vehicle up to a certain limit. Optional collision insurance can be purchased. It is always a good idea to check with your auto insurance provider before you travel. Break Downs If your car breaks down, try to move it to the side of the road so that it obstructs the traffic flow as little as possible. You are advised to seek local assistance as, at the present time there is no nationwide road assistance service in France. On autoroutes, emergency phones are located every 2km. The use of warning triangles or hazard warning lights is mandatory in the event of an accident or break down. ===== Before taking to the road in France, make sure you know the French highway code well. You will find the official text of the Highway Code at the website http://www.legifrance.gouv.fr To find out about the road signs, you can consult the website http://www.permisenligne.com Eurotunnel If you are coming from Great Britain, you can use the Eurotunnel. Consult the website http://www.eurotunnel.com Roads The road network is very well developed in France: nearly a million kilo metres, of which almost 8,000 kilo metres are motorways. There is usually a toll for motorways. To find out everything about toll charges, service stations, rest areas, restaurants, filling stations, and hotels along your route, and for details of your journey, consult the website http://www.autoroutes.fr Finding your way There are numerous guides and road maps available at bookshops, service stations… The main reference maps are Michelin and IGN. Some Internet sites suggest different ways of getting from one place to another (from the quickest to tourist routes with stopovers…): www.viamichelin.com or http://www.mappy.fr Times to avoid At peak times (7.30 – 9.00am and 5.30 – 7.30pm generally during the week), take care on the approaches to large towns and town centre: the traffic is often very dense. Some problems can also be found at "sensitive" places at the start of holiday periods (approaches to large towns, toll booths…). To find out about traffic conditions: http://www.bison-fute.equipement.gouv.fr In your car, you can listen to the Autoroute FM radio station on frequency 107.7 Parking Parking in towns is controlled and there is usually a charge. Authorised parking spaces are shown by road markings (white dotted lines). To pay for parking, you need to take a ticket from the ticket machines (installed on the pavement) and place it in view on your dashboard. The price of a parking space can vary a lot, depending on the town and the area. All towns also have underground parking available, in the town centre, or also on the outskirts, which are usually served by public transport. For hire You can of course hire all sorts of vehicles, from a bicycle to a lorry, but mainly cars, from specialist agents (or shops and garages for two-wheeled vehicles). To hire a car, you must be at least 20 years old and have held a driving licence for more than one year. The main car hire companies have offices at all railway stations of large towns, at airports and in the centre of some towns. Cars with foreign number plates may be targeted by thieves. Conceal bags and purses when driving and never leave valuables in a vehicle, even for a short time or when you are nearby. The last two digits on a French car's number plate indicate the département in which the car is registered. Many hire cars are registered in Marne département (51) and cars with registration numbers ending in 51 attract the attention of thieves. Visitors to Calais should be aware that British registered cars may be targeted by thieves, both while parked and on the move (e.g. by thieves flagging down drivers for a lift or indicating that the vehicle has a flat tyre). Valuables should not be left in parked cars and should be kept out of sight at all times. Pedestrians should beware of bag snatchers operating both on foot and from motorcycles. In the South of France, particularly in the Marseille to Menton area, drivers are advised to keep car doors locked when driving. It is common for bags to be snatched from the front passenger seat, often when the vehicle is stationary at traffic lights and usually by individuals on motorbikes. Visitors are advised not to leave bags in full view when sitting on café terraces to avoid attracting the attention of thieves. It is also recommended that valuables are not left unattended on the beach. In Corsica tourists are advised to avoid leaving their vehicles unattended by the roadside especially on coastal/beach roads, as thefts are frequent. Armed robbery can occur but such incidents are rare. There have been a number of mugging incidents at the more isolated rest areas (those without petrol stations and cafeterias) on some French motorways, particularly on the A10 between Paris and Bordeaux. There have been several cases of burglary during the night whilst travellers have been asleep in their caravans or mobile homes in France; try to avoid parking in isolated or dark areas of camping grounds or car parks; consider installing an alarm to your caravan or mobile home. LOCAL TRAVEL Almost all roads in Corsica are mountainous and narrow, with numerous bends. Drivers should be extra vigilant and beware of wandering animals. The majority of road accidents occur during the tourist season. ROAD TRAVEL Drivers in France must be of the age required for the category of licence in question under French law. The minimum age for driving a car in France is 18 years old. 17 year-old British drivers with valid British licences are not permitted to drive a car in France. Anyone who contravenes this law can face a fine of up to Euros 1,500 and the impounding of the vehicle. Visitors should take particular care when driving in France as driving regulations and customs are different from those in the UK. Visitors should consult the RAC or AA for advice on special requirements for driving in France. There is further advice, in English, on safety and on potential traffic black-spots during the holiday seasons on the French Government-run website: www.bison-fute.equipement.gouv.fr. Many drivers undertake long journeys in, or through, France. Care should be taken to plan journeys and take sufficient breaks; a minimum break of 15 minutes after every two hours of driving is recommended. Roads in France, particularly motorways, are of an excellent standard. Speed limits are higher than in the UK; but the accident rate is also much higher. Motorists driving to France should be aware that radar detectors are illegal in France, whether in use or not. If caught, drivers are liable to both a fine and confiscation of the device (and possibly confiscation of the car if unable to pay the fine). Drivers should therefore ensure radar detectors are removed from their vehicle before commencing any journey to France. Road users intending to travel between France and Italy should be aware that the Mont Blanc tunnel has been re-opened for all vehicles, except those with more than 4 axles, those carrying dangerous goods, and those which came into circulation before 1 Octoboer 1993 and do not meet the Euro 1 and 2 pollution standards. There are new speed limits and vehicle distance limits in place in the Tunnel; details are sign-posted at the entrance and exit. Vehicles which are forbidden from using the Mont Blanc Tunnel should use routes along the Mediterranean coast or through the Frejus tunnel; there are, however, some restrictions on HGVs using the Frejus tunnel. Full details of these and alternative routes are available on the French Government-run website: www.bison-fute.equipement.gouv.fr. British road hauliers should be aware that French authorities are imposing fines on hauliers who have differing sets of documents aboard the vehicle. Road hauliers should contact the Road Hauliers Association for further information. Ask us anything, we will do our best to help. To contact us please use our...
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