Every year, thousands of foreign drivers will take to the French roads. Many will be on holiday, some will be coming to France on business or to purchase a property, some will be passing through on the way to other destinations. All will be exposed to certain different driving requirements to adhere to.
Quite a number of people tend to disregard certain points thinking that the chances of getting caught are slim, and anyway thinking they are foreigners, they imagine that they can be excused.
Do not underestimate the chances of getting a fine, as radar checks are numerous. You can even lose your licence if you exceed the speed limit by 25 k/h and speeding fines are imposed on the spot. So keep to the limits and enjoy your trip rather than have any problems.
It is worthwhile to remember that when the roads are wet, the speed limit is reduced.
On the motorway the limit of 130k/h is reduced to 120k/h when conditions are wet. On the dual carriage way the limit is 110k/h and reduced to 100k/h when conditions are wet. Keep watching for the various signs such as going through towns where the 50k/h sign will appear.
Don't get caught without wearing your seat belts in the front, as well as making sure the passengers at the back are wearing them too.
Remember that the minimum age allowed to drive in France is 18.
As far as the headlamps are concerned, yes they must have converters, and when the visibility conditions are not good, you are required to keep the dipped headlights on.
As for the roundabouts, the priority is given to the vehicles coming from your left.
You may also find it useful to know some of the following expressions and words:
1. To be out of petrol = Tomber en panne d' essence 2. To break down = Tomber en panne 3. Switch the engine off = Coupez le moteur 4. No entry = Sens interdit 5. Tyre = Pneu 6. Keep going straight on = Continuez tout droit 7. Petrol station = Poste d' essence 8. To have a puncture = Crever 9. I will arrive late = J' arriverai tard 10. It would be better to take the car = Il vaudrait mieux de prendre la voiture 11. To move towards = Se diriger vers 12. It is not serious/ do not worry about it = Ce n' est pas grave 13. To set off = Se mettre en route 14. To come back = Revenir 15. To leave = Partir 16. To arrive = Arriver 17. To go = Aller 18. The battery = La batterie 19. Wheel = Roue 20. At the wheel = Au Volant 21. Brake = Frein 22. Driving licence = Permis de conduire 23. To drive too fast = Aller trop vite 24. Crash one' s car into = Faire rentrer sa voiture dans 25. To crash into = Rentrer dans 26. There is no hurry = Rien ne presse 27. To come = Venir
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