Driving in France is one of those things people assume will be a breeze… until they try it. You arrive thinking, “I survived the M25, I can handle anything,” and five minutes later a French driver is welded to your rear bumper, a roundabout presents itself with 17 possible exits, and suddenly you’re wishing you’d taken the ferry as a pedestrian.
But breathe. Driving here is absolutely fine once you know the quirks. And after living in Nicorps (near Coutances) for years, I’ve driven every type of lane, motorway, goat track, fogbank and tractor-induced delay imaginable. So here’s the blog I wish visitors had before they arrived: the real deal, written with love, humour, and a healthy respect for French driving oddities.
The golden rule? Drive your own drive. Everything else is just details.
What Driving in France Actually Feels Like
French drivers are… an experience. Charming. Confident. Sometimes baffling. But once you understand their style, it becomes almost fun.
Tailgating: An Art Form 🇫🇷😅
French tailgating is so common it should probably be listed as an official national sport. They mean nothing by it. I like to assume they’re simply trying to read my satnav — or admire it. Stick to your speed, keep calm, let them overtake when they feel the need.
Indicators: Decorative Accessories ✨
Indicators are optional here. Especially on roundabouts, they’re mostly ornamental. People indicate right then go straight, indicate nothing then turn left, or just freestyle the whole thing.
Tip: trust what a French driver does, not what they indicate.
Motorways: The Unexpected Plot Twist 🛣️
Here’s the surprise: on motorways (autoroutes) French drivers exhibit excellent lane discipline and drive beautifully. It’s almost relaxing — a rare sensation behind the wheel.
The Only Traffic Jams in La Manche 🚜🐄
One of the best parts of basing yourself near Coutances, Agon-Coutainville or Gavray is simple: there is no traffic. Ever. The only genuine hold-ups are:
- tractors
- a herd of cows crossing the road
- a determined dog who refuses to go home
Tractors are the main culprit. But Normandy’s farmers work unbelievably hard in every kind of weather and will almost always pull in when they can to let you pass. Always thank them with a quick hazard-light blink — it’s appreciated. 🙌
French Driving Rules You Actually Need to Know 📘
These are the rules you should genuinely be aware of (unlike the breathalyser myth — don’t worry, we’ll get to that).
Speed Limits – And They Change in the Rain 🌧️
- 130 km/h – motorways (110 km/h in rain)
- 110 km/h – dual carriageways
- 80 km/h – rural roads (the bulk of Normandy)
- 50 km/h – towns & villages
- 30 km/h – city centres & some coastal areas
Speed limits apply immediately at the sign, not after a junction like in the UK.
Speeding Fines – France Means Business ⚠️
Standard speeding fine: €135, reduced if paid within 15 days.
More than +40 km/h over the limit? EU licence holders can have their licence confiscated on the spot.
Serious offences (dangerous driving etc.) can result in €750 on-the-spot fines. Police are legally allowed to collect payment immediately and may hold your car until you pay.
Speed camera detectors are illegal. Just possessing one can land you a €1,500 fine plus confiscation of the device — and possibly the car.
Documents You Must Carry (Always) 📄
- Full valid driving licence
- Passport / photo ID
- Insurance certificate
- Car registration document
Licence not available when asked = €38 fine. Not paid within 5 days = €750.
Priorité à Droite – The Dreaded Priority to the Right ⛔➡️
If there are no signs, no lines, and absolutely no clarity… the car coming from your right has priority. It’s an ancient French rule that refuses to die.
A yellow diamond sign indicates you have priority — enjoy the moment.
Emergency Telephones 📞
Motorways have SOS emergency telephones every 2 km, connected to a central assistance network. Great if your phone battery has given up on life.
Emergency Number
You can dial 112 anywhere in Europe for emergency services.
Roundabouts: Where Logic 🌀 Goes to Die
Official rule: vehicles inside the roundabout have priority. Unofficial reality: chaos theory in motion.
- lane markings: faded mysteries
- indicators: decorative ✨
- speed: interpretive
- unexpected behaviour: guaranteed
My method? Observe. Don’t rush. Trust actions, not indicators. 🚗
Driving on Rural Normandy Roads 🌾
Quiet, scenic, sometimes surprising.
The 80 km/h Fantasy 😅
Google Maps claims you can drive at 80 km/h on some country lanes. You cannot. Unless you enjoy unexpected stone walls, cows, wandering chickens and heroic hedgerows.
Sea Fog: Appears Out of Nowhere
Fog on the west coast can roll in like a horror film. One moment you can see Mont Porrel, the next you’re starring in your own low-budget thriller. Slow down, lights on, breathe.
Parking in France – The Bits Visitors Always Miss 🅿️
White Parking Bays
White painted bays = FREE PARKING. Unlimited. No restrictions. And we have loads of them in Coutances, Agon-Coutainville, Hauteville and across Mer & Bocage. 🙌
Parking Colours Decoded
- Yellow kerb line: no parking, no stopping.
- Blue lines: free parking for about an hour.
- Continuous yellow line: no stopping or parking.
- Broken yellow line: parking forbidden, stopping sometimes tolerated.
Two-way streets: park on the right. One-way: both sides if the road is wide enough.
Enforcement 🚓
Illegally parked cars may be:
- towed
- clamped
- impounded
You pay for every 24 hours it stays there. Paris is infamous for wheel clamps, but even small towns can tow if you’re causing an obstruction.
Motorways (Autoroutes): Surprisingly Lovely 🛣️
French motorways are smooth, efficient and well-maintained. Even the service stations are decent.
Lane Discipline
Left lane = overtaking only. Stay there too long and someone will flash you (politely or not). 💡
Tolls (Péages)
You’ll encounter:
- ticket systems (take ticket at start, pay at exit)
- pay-as-you-go booths
- T lanes for those with toll tags
Payment options:
- Cash (euros only)
- Card (Visa, Mastercard, Carte Bleue)
- Toll tags (SANEF, Emovis)
Maestro/Electron often don’t work — be warned.
Toll Tags – Highly Recommended
We use a SANEF toll tag — brilliant in summer when queues get long. Stick it behind your rear-view mirror, glide through the T lanes and feel like a seasoned local.
Free-Flow Tolls (Very French, Very Modern)
Some tolls now have no barriers or machines — they just scan your number plate as you drive under a metal frame. You must either:
- pre-register online, or
- pay within 72 hours after your trip
But here’s the good bit: most Free-Flow Tolls are fully compatible with Télépéage toll tags including SANEF and Emovis. If you have a tag, it handles the payment automatically. No admin. No remembering. No fines.
More info: SANEF Free-Flow Info
Toll Categories & Costs
Category 1 (your standard family car): €10–€50 per toll depending on the route. Prices vary by operator.
Low-Emission Zones (Crit’Air) 🌱
If you’re heading into cities like Paris, Rouen or Caen, you need a Crit’Air sticker — your car’s environmental report card.
- 0/E – electric/ hydrogen (green)
- 1 – hybrids & newer petrol (purple)
- 2 – Euro 4 petrol, Euro 5–6 diesel (yellow)
- 3 – Euro 2–3 petrol, Euro 4 diesel (orange)
- 4 – Euro 3 diesel (burgundy)
- 5 – Euro 2 diesel (dark grey)
Order online (€4.91) before travelling: Official Crit’Air Website
No sticker when required = €135 fine.
Road Signs & Markings You’ll See 🚧
- Rappel: reminder that the current speed limit still applies.
- Yellow diamond: you’re on a priority road (no priorité à droite).
- Curved white arrow: overtaking lane ending — do not start overtaking.
- Flat white arrow: you have priority.
- Flashing amber: proceed with caution; give way if needed.
- No right on red unless there is a flashing amber triangle.
Full road sign guide: French Road Signs – Complete Guide
Fuel – What to Look For ⛽
- Diesel: Gazole / Gasoil (yellow pumps)
- Unleaded: Sans Plomb (green pumps)
Drink Driving Laws 🍷❌
Alcohol limit: 0.05% (stricter than England). New drivers under 3 years: 0.02%.
Random tests happen. After an accident or offence, drug and alcohol testing is mandatory.
If the Police Stop You 🚓
Stay calm, say “Bonjour”, hand over documents. They’re generally polite.
Police can issue on-the-spot fines up to €750. Serious offences may require a deposit. They’re also allowed to hold your car until you pay.
Final Thoughts – Drive Your Own Drive 🚘💚
Yes, French driving has its quirks. Yes, indicators are decorative. Yes, tractors rule the countryside. But honestly? Driving in Normandy is peaceful, scenic and thoroughly enjoyable once you relax into it.
Ignore tailgaters. Resist peer pressure to speed. Respect tractors. And above all:
Drive your own drive. You’ll be absolutely fine. ✨