Driving

Court rules that half-built motorway in south-west France is ‘illegal’ and stops work

The government plans to appeal ‘historic decision’ over A69 and has asked for work to continue

What to do in case of a road accident in France

Guide to handling vehicle accidents and insurance protocols, including using the 'constat amiable'

How ‘friendly’ are drivers in France compared to the US and UK

France did not make the ranking’s top five…

practical

How your Crit’Air car sticker rating correlates with insurance costs

Energy-efficient vehicle owners are unlikely to see cheaper insurance premiums

French speed radars: can you check if you have a fine online in case missed in post?

Outstanding fines can be found online

‘Careful’ road signs appearing in French towns and villages: what do they mean?

Signs display up to five blue hearts and are source of pride for local communes

Good news for electric car owners in France as thousands more charging stations to be installed

MPs recently rejected plans to bring forward ban on petrol vehicles

Holiday traffic jams: Avoid these routes in France this weekend

School holiday season sees many heading to – or returning from – Alpine resorts

Why repairing your car in France is becoming increasingly expensive

The cost has soared by more than 25% since 2020, with electric vehicles most dear, a new report has shown

Speed cameras in France: how do they compare in number to the US and the UK?

More fines are issued per-camera by French radars than many other countries

Photo: new road hazard for drivers in Brittany… a wallaby

The mysterious animal has been seen several times since December

Driving getting safer in France, suggest January 2025 road safety statistics

Fewer drivers, motorcyclists, and cyclists died last month - but more pedestrians lost their lives

Can UK paper driving licences be used to hire vehicles in France?

Some have highlighted issue of using non-French licences to hire vehicles

Faulty airbags: 236,000 Citroen owners in France told to stop using cars

Manufacturer says drivers should check if the airbags could be faulty and if so not to drive the vehicle until repaired

List: Car models with potentially dangerous airbags in France

Millions of vehicles made between 1998 and 2019 are affected

Driver wins French speeding appeal due to radar day and time error

The man was not even on the road at the time stated on the fine

How to avoid massive traffic jams amidst holidays and ski season

Roads in the east will be particularly busy this weekend

Report older drivers who are potentially dangerous, prompts French prefect

France does not require medical checks for elderly drivers to keep their licences

More drivers to pay higher pollution taxes on new car registrations in France

The thresholds for the ‘malus’ on CO² emissions are set to catch more vehicles over the next three years

Major traffic restrictions to be implemented in Lyon from June

It will become the fifth French city to implement a limited traffic zone. We review which vehicles will be exempt from rules

‘Dutch roundabouts’ now installed in France: how do they work?

The roundabouts are designed to make roads safer for cyclists

City in south of France will not penalise ZFE breaches until 2027

Local authorities have hailed the decision as a ‘political victory’

Police urge drivers in Dordogne to be alert to return of this scam

Three drivers were scammed out of cash last month

Drivers in Switzerland need new ‘motorway sticker’: Are French vehicles included?

Motorway sticker is updated annually and can be purchased online or in person

2024 burglary statistics released: see data per department in France

Official figures show areas with improvements and those that got worse

French drivers will be exempted from new safety requirement on Spanish roads

Current ‘warning triangles’ will still be accepted

Is it possible to switch French vehicle registration to my name after spouse death?

The marriage regime you had with your spouse can affect the rules

Driving in France: what are the acceptable ‘error’ margins of speed cameras?

Rumour that margins of error are set to change in 2025 has been clarified

Missing this car registration detail in France may cost you €135

Widespread changes to French addresses may have left drivers in the lurch during an inspection

New carsharing lane to come into service on Paris ring road

Motorway lanes around Paris will also be limited to vehicles carrying at least one passenger

Four changes for drivers in France in February 2025

The changes include péage increases and projected lower electricity charging bills

New feature in Waze driving app should please French road safety officials

The sometimes-controversial sat-nav app is launching a long-awaited tool

New French contrôle technique test: 1 in 5 motorcyclists failed to attend

Licence-free cars also now need roadworthiness checks. Stricter rules are set to come in

Drivers face tougher penalties for road infractions in south of France

The new rules on licence suspensions come after ‘another bad year’ for accidents

MAP: Where did most fatal road crashes happen in France in 2024?

Accidents increased in most departments compared to 2023

Is there financial help for foreign people in France towards driving test costs?

Possible aids include the so-called ‘one euro a day driving test’ scheme

Does my UK vehicle need to be registered to remain at French second home?

Residents in France must register their vehicle within one month of moving

Car-sharing: How do new road lanes work in France and how are drivers checked?

Find out the rules, eligibility, and financial incentives of these increasingly-common lanes

French app fighting speeding fines sees success

Flash Radar app boasts a 98% success rate in challenging speeding fines, offering a cost-effective alternative to traditional legal services

List: Car registration fees for drivers by department across France

Prices range from €36.50 in Hauts de France to €60 in Brittany with powerful vehicles costing more to register

The rules for buying and registering a trailer in France

The trailer may need to be registered separately from your main vehicle depending on its weight

Tips for electric car drivers on where to charge in France for least cost

From using an app to getting the best deal at home - here is how to do it

French data protection body mulls legal case over Ulez fines

Fines have been sent to drivers in France despite Brexit ending data-sharing agreements

Can you overtake police vehicles in France?

Exploring the myths and legalities of overtaking police cars on French roads

Motorway tolls increase in France in February

Price rise is lower than initially forecast

French president issues social media response on fines for using phones at toll booths

A driver posted online about receiving a fine for using a phone to pay a toll

Road check operation in south-west France: what are rules if stopped?

Drug usage in Dordogne has increased leading to more checks

How to spot an unmarked speed radar car in France

The cars are being rolled out into three more regions this year

Why sales of motorbikes and scooters are falling fast in France

The second-hand market has fallen the most

Citroën extends its recall of cars due to airbag fault in France

Consumer association is calling for a parliamentary inquiry into the issue and for these drivers to receive compensation

Why was application to switch UK driving licence for French one rejected?

Residency rights affect whether licence switches can be made

Car fuel prices are rising in France: This is why - but will it continue?

Prices of diesel and petrol have been rising since last year

Use these websites to check against numberplate fraud on barrier-free French motorways

Email alerts inform you when your number plate is registered as passing through toll

Can drivers be fined for using their phone to pay at tolls in France?

Several social media posts show people claiming to have been fined for using smartphone while ‘driving’ when paying

Drivers of SUVs to face higher parking fees in Bordeaux

The decision to penalise larger vehicles follows a similar but stronger measure in Paris

MAP: Which French region has most speed radars? See locations near you

Speed cameras across France are slowly being upgraded

Owners of faulty Peugeot, Citroën and Opel cars can now make claims

Drivers can make claims on Stellantis website

Drivers will need new equipment soon to visit Spain from France

The ‘breakdown warning triangle’ required in France will no longer be permitted for this purpose in Spain

Can drivers have a personalised car number plate in France?

France changed its number plate system in 2009

Crit’Air air pollution car stickers: can you get these by post in France?

Dozens of new low-emissions zones were introduced earlier this month

Speed limits reduced in Normandy due to air pollution spike

Air pollution in some parts is described as ‘very poor’

Riding between lanes now legal for all motorcyclists in France – under certain conditions

Government legalises manoeuvre after eight years of trials

Barrier-free French motorway: driver complaints increase over extra fines

The ‘smart’ roads are meant to improve traffic flow

Driving in France: when you can overtake on the right-hand side

Undertaking is possible in certain situations, however illegal manoeuvres run the risk of accident, fine and licence suspension

Videos: hundreds of classic cars drive through Paris

‘Classic’ cars in France benefit from fewer driving restrictions and tests

U-turn (again) over motorbikes riding between lanes in queues on certain French roads

Trial has been extended to July 31, 2025 as government awaits study

Drivers face ‘stop’ sign every 30 metres in trial in western France

Tabac owner says signs have reduced number of clients by 20%

Ranking shows French cities with the most, and fewest, traffic jams

Surprisingly, Paris did not rank highest

How to pay French free-flow motorway fee in rental car without toll badge?

There is a limited amount of time in which the tolls must be paid

What changes with French driving licences in 2025?

There are new rules on document posting, tests and EU and international driving permits

Two Britons badly hurt after car leaves road in Normandy

A dog was also found in the vehicle

Are electric vehicle grants applicable for hybrid vehicles in France?

The system for electric vehicle grants has recently changed

Major road tunnel between France and Italy set to reopen after ten years of construction work

Traffic will only be one-way at first through the Tende Tunnel as original tunnel needs to be renovated

2025 MAP: France’s new clean air driving zones and their rules

All areas with a population of 150,000 or more now have rules in place restricting certain vehicles from entering, and require all vehicles to have 'Crit'Air' stickers on their windscreen

Can télépéage motorway toll badges be used in French hire cars?

Badges are the quickest way to pass through barriers