Driving in France

[catlavender]

Me and my friend are off on holiday to France soon and we want to travel to various places so will be doing a lot of driving.

I only passed my test 2 years ago and I'm not the greatest driver in the world so I'm scared to death of driving on the other side of the road. Any tips/hints? Please tell me it's easy!

Also is there anything we should know? I know about the toll roads but I've been told there are certain restrictions depending on when you passed your test etc.

[Buenchico]

The main thing to watch out for is 'priorit� � droite'. You only need to worry about it when driving through built-up areas. 'Priorit� � droite' means that, when you're driving along a road, any vehicle entering that road, from your right, has priority. So you should expect to see drivers suddenly pulling out in front of you. (Or, better, you should approach all side roads, on your right, with caution). Note, however, that 'Priorit� � droite' is cancelled if there are yellow diamond signs along the main road.

The other thing which sometimes confuses British drivers is going round a roundabout. Basically, everything is exactly the same as in the UK but 'reflected in a mirror'. So, you go round roundabouts anti-clockwise, and give priority to vehicles already on the roundabout (which, of course, will be coming from your left).

Take care, as well, if another driver flashes his lights at you. The French do this to remind other drivers that they have the right of way, and NOT to indicate that you may proceed. (Actually, that's roughly what our own Highway Code says the signal means!).

If you're taking your own car (instead of hiring one in France), check that you're really confident that you can see every vehicle approaching, from the rear, on the left side of your vehicle, with no blind spots. It will be your left-hand mirror (together with your rear view mirror) which you'll need to check prior to overtaking. When I've taken my car to France, I've never been entirely happy about using the existing mirrors. I've purchased stick-on wide-view mirrors to add to my wing mirrors and an additional (suction cap) interior rear view mirror (which I've placed to the left of the existing mirror).

Also, see here:
http://www.day-tripper.net/drive-infrance.html

Chris

[rugeleyboy]

i have driven through france many of times, and if you knew me personaly you would know that i class it as one of the most pleasurable experiences a driver could ever have!!

buenchico has pointed out the main things, but if you can drive in britain you can drive through france a doddle!!!

[catlavender]

Thank you for these answers. I feel much more prepared now and will look at the link. Thanks again.

[DirtyHabit]

All good advice and I would only add one extra caution. In towns you just follow the traffic, but don't get caught out in quiet country area's. For example, you have been there a while and start to relax until you leave a car park on to empty roads and start driving on the left !!

[catlavender]

DirtyHabit That sounds like me. Mind you saying that I have been known to drive on the wrong side of the road here (only the once!) I know I shouldn't be on the road.

We're in a hire car so at least the mirrors will be okay. I'm going to sit in the car and practice changing gears with my right hand before we go too (I'm left handed)

[ThisSpace]

I had to deliver a car to Paris last year, and it was certainly an interesting experience!

Once I got across the water, you should be ok as the road 'feeds' you into the system (from Calais port anyway).

When I say 'interesting', I mean it was good fun. Just avoid Paris if you don't need to go there.