Policies & Common Fines

🚗 Driving & Road Safety in France

• France takes road safety seriously — and visitors should too. Whether you're renting a car for a road trip or just planning short drives between cities, it’s important to understand the rules and the penalties that come with breaking them. Here’s what you need to know to stay safe (and avoid costly surprises).

📱 Using a Mobile Phone While Driving

• Strictly prohibited — even holding it.
  France has zero tolerance for handheld phone use behind the wheel.

• Holding or using a phone = €135 on-the-spot fine

• Penalty points added to your licence

• Hands-free devices are allowed, but drivers can still be fined if considered distracted

• In dangerous situations, police may suspend your licence immediately

• Tip: Even pulling over to the roadside is not enough — you must be fully parked in a legal spot.

🔗 Seatbelt Rules

• No excuses — everyone must buckle up, front and back.

• Not wearing a seatbelt = €135 fine per person

• Drivers can be fined for passengers not wearing seatbelts

• Children must use approved child seats based on age and weight

• Good to know: Child seat rules are enforced heavily, especially on highways.

⚡ Speeding & Radar Cameras

• France is famous (and feared) for its road-side radar cameras — they are everywhere, including hidden ones.

• Minor speeding (a few km/h over) = lower fines

• Higher excess speeds = large fines, points, and possible licence suspension

• More than 50 km/h over the limit is treated as a serious offence, often leading to:

• Licence confiscation

• Heavy fines

• Possible court appearance

• Tip: Many rental cars warn you when cameras are nearby, but don’t rely on it!

🍷 Drink-Driving Rules

• France’s drink-driving legislation is among Europe’s strictest.

• Exceeding the legal blood alcohol limit leads to:

• Heavy fines (up to several thousand euros)

• Licence suspension

• Vehicle impoundment

• Loss of points

• Prison sentences for very high levels or repeat offences

• Lower limits apply for new drivers (less than 3 years of licence)

• Tip: Even one glass of wine can put you near the limit — safest rule: don’t drink at all if you need to drive.

🅿️ Parking & Minor Public-Order Fines

• Cities like Paris, Lyon, and Nice enforce parking rules rigorously.

• Parking fines start around €35 but can go up depending on:

• Wrong zone

• Blocking traffic

• Using resident-only areas

• Cars can be towed for serious violations

• Other minor infractions (littering, noise disturbances, public transport violations) carry fixed penalties too

• Tip: Always check street signs — zones and times change block by block.

🚦 Additional Tips for Drivers

• To make your driving experience smoother:

• Keep your driver’s licence, passport, and car rental papers on hand

• All cars must carry:

• A reflective vest

• A warning triangle

• Watch for roundabouts — they’re extremely common

• On highways (autoroutes), toll booths are frequent — have a payment method ready

• Speed limits change based on weather (rain = lower limits)