France (including French overseas territories) driving guide.

Wear seat belts and never hold a phone while driving; headphones and earpieces are also prohibited. Give way to traffic from the right where signs do not establish priority, and check junction signs rather than assuming priority. The blood-alcohol limit is 0.05%, or 0.02% for novice drivers. Check current Crit’Air emissions-sticker and access requirements before entering mainland low-emission zones. Carry a reflective vest and warning triangle; do not place the triangle where doing so would endanger you.

For cars in mainland France, usual limits are 50 km/h in built-up areas, 80 km/h on undivided rural roads, 110 km/h on divided highways and 130 km/h on motorways; some rural roads permit 90 km/h, and many urban streets are limited to 30 km/h. In rain, motorway limits fall to 110 km/h and 110-km/h roads to 100 km/h; rural roads posted at 90 generally fall to 80 km/h. Visibility below 50 metres means a maximum of 50 km/h. Follow posted limits overseas and check local rules, particularly in French Polynesia and New Caledonia.

Many mainland autoroutes charge tolls: use a card or cash lane unless your rental includes an active toll tag. On barrier-free sections marked 'péage en flux libre,' pay through the operator’s official channel within the stated deadline, generally 72 hours, unless payment is automatic. Rental toll services may add administration charges. Roads in the overseas departments are generally toll-free.

Unleaded petrol is labelled SP95, SP95-E10 or SP98; diesel is gazole or diesel. Use E10 only if your vehicle permits it, and avoid E85 unless explicitly approved. Unattended pumps may require a compatible chip-and-PIN card and place a temporary authorization hold. Fill up before remote mountain drives in Réunion, inland journeys in French Guiana or rural island routes; station hours and availability vary.

Carry your original valid driver’s license, IDP, passport, rental agreement and vehicle insurance documents; the IDP does not replace your license. Confirm rental age requirements, accepted payment cards and restrictions on ferries or unpaved roads. In overseas territories, verify local license-recognition rules and rental conditions rather than assuming mainland terms apply. Police conduct document and alcohol checks, and roadside fines may require prompt payment.