France
Driving in France
If you wish to drive in France you must have a valid UK driving licence, insurance and vehicle documents. If you are driving a vehicle that does not belong to you then written permission from the registered owner may also be requested.
It is obligatory to carry in all vehicles a warning triangle and reflective jacket for use in case of a breakdown. Anyone found to not be complying with this requirement could be subject to a fine of 90 euros.
The minimum age for driving a car in France is 18 years old. If you are 17 and hold a valid UK licence you are not permitted to drive a car. If you do you may be fined and your vehicle will be impounded.
You should take particular care when driving in France as driving regulations and customs are different from those in the UK. Roads in France, particularly motorways, are of an excellent standard but speed limits are higher than in the UK and the accident rate is higher. In 2005 there were 5,318 road deaths in France (source: DfT). This equates to 8.8 road deaths per 100,000 of population and compares to the UK average of 5.5 road deaths per 100,000 of population in 2005. 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.
Further advice on driving outside the UK can be obtained from motoring organisations such as the AA and RAC. Information on safety and potential traffic black spots during the holiday season is also available on the French Government website: http://www.bison-fute.equipement.gouv.fr This website is only available in French. Tips in English on road safety and driving in France are available on a second French Government website at http://www2.securiteroutiere.gouv.fr/infos-ref/observatoire/observatory.html
Severe penalties exist for all road traffic infringements and they are enforced. These include imprisonment and a heavy fine for causing death whilst driving over the alcohol limit or under the influence of drugs. There are also similar penalties for causing death by dangerous or negligent driving. The French police strictly apply speeding restrictions and if you exceed speed limits you will face heavy on-the-spot fines. If you break French driving laws you can also have your UK driving licence confiscated by French Police. This could lead to your vehicle being temporarily impounded if no alternative driver with a valid licence is available.
Radar detectors are illegal in France whether in use or not. If you are caught with such equipment in your vehicle, you are liable to a fine, confiscation of the device and the vehicle. You should therefore ensure radar detectors are removed from your vehicle before commencing any journey to France.
Almost all roads in Corsica are mountainous and narrow, with numerous bends. You should be extra vigilant and beware of wandering animals. The majority of road accidents occur during the tourist season.
Road Hauliers
British road hauliers should be aware that the French authorities are imposing fines on hauliers who have differing sets of documents aboard the vehicle. Road hauliers should contact the Road Hauliers Association at: http://www.rha.net/ for further information. It is now compulsory for drivers of vehicles weighing more than 3.5 tonnes to fasten their seat belts when driving in France (except in vehicles, which did not have seat belts fitted when they were manufactured). Offenders may face a substantial on the spot fine.
There are a number of periods during the year, including all Sundays and public holidays when heavy goods vehicles over 7.5 tonnes are banned from driving on roads in France. Road hauliers should contact the Road Hauliers Association, the Freight Transport Association or the Department of Transport for further information.
In two incidents at the IDS service station near the Dunes in Calais, two British lorry drivers were assaulted by a group of men who may have been illegal immigrants intent on either robbery or possibly using the lorry to illegally enter the UK. The Road Hauliers Association is aware of these incidents and can provide advice to drivers on matters of personal security.
Both the Mont Blanc and Frejus road tunnels, linking France and Italy, are open but the restrictions introduced following the fires in 1999 and 2005 continue to be applied to HGVs. These can be summarised as follows:
Mont Blanc: height restricted to 4.7m; minimum speed 50 km/h; maximum speed 70 km/h. Consult: www.tunnelmb.com or by telephone on number 00 33 (0)45 05 55 500.
Fréju:s Vehicles of more than 3.5 tones are subject to 1-hour alternate traffic flows starting at 08:00 leaving France. Special regulations apply to vehicles carrying dangerous loads. Details can be obtained from: http://www.tunneldufrejus.com
