Driving in France Checklist - UK Driver's Guide 2026

Here is everything you need to drive in France from the UK in 2026. This checklist covers documents, safety equipment, vehicle requirements, road rules, and practical tips. Print it out, tick it off, and you will be fully prepared for your trip. From Crit’Air stickers to hi-vis vests, speed limits to fuel terminology - it is all here.

Essential documents

These are the documents you must carry. French police can ask to see them at any time, and not having them is a fineable offence.

• Full valid UK driving licence - photocard licence is sufficient. If you only have an old paper licence, bring it along with photo ID (passport)
• V5C registration document - the original or a certified copy. This proves you are entitled to use the vehicle. If the car is not in your name, carry a letter of authority from the registered keeper
• Proof of motor insurance - a printed copy of your insurance certificate or cover note showing you are insured for driving in France. Most UK policies include EU cover as standard but check yours
• Passport - required for all travel between the UK and France post-Brexit. Ensure it has at least 3 months’ validity beyond your planned return date and was issued within the last 10 years
• GHIC or EHIC card - the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) replaced the EHIC for new applicants. Either card entitles you to state-provided medical treatment in France on the same terms as a French resident. Apply free at nhs.uk if you do not have one
• Travel insurance documents - the GHIC does not cover repatriation, lost baggage, or trip cancellation. Carry your travel insurance policy details separately
• Crit’Air sticker - required for driving in any French ZFE zone. From January 2026, all cities over 150,000 people have ZFE zones. Apply at francestickers.co.uk for £7

Documents you no longer need

• Insurance green card - since 2 August 2021, UK drivers no longer need a green card to drive in EU countries including France. Your standard insurance certificate is sufficient proof of cover
• International Driving Permit (IDP) - not required for UK licence holders driving in France. Your UK photocard licence is recognised directly

Vehicle safety equipment

French law requires specific safety equipment in your vehicle. Police can fine you on the spot for missing items.

Mandatory items

• Hi-vis vest(s) - at least one per passenger, and they must be inside the passenger compartment (not in the boot). If you break down and need to exit the vehicle, you must put the vest on before getting out. Fine for not having one: €135
• Warning triangle - must be carried and used if you break down or have an accident on a road without hard shoulder. Place it at least 30 metres behind your vehicle. Fine: €135
• Headlight beam deflectors - UK headlights dip to the left, which dazzles oncoming French drivers. Apply adhesive beam deflectors to redirect the beam, or if your car has adjustable headlights, switch them to the continental setting. Check your owner’s manual for instructions. Fine: €68
• GB/UK sticker or identifier - if your number plate does not display the GB letters with the Union flag, you need a physical GB sticker on the rear of the vehicle. The old “GB” oval stickers are accepted. Fine: €68

Recommended but not strictly enforced

• NF-certified breathalyser - French law technically requires you to carry an unused, in-date breathalyser kit. The law has been in place since 2012 but the fine (€11) has never been enforced. They cost under £2 and take up almost no space, so it is worth having one for peace of mind
• First aid kit - not legally required in France (unlike some other European countries) but strongly recommended
• Fire extinguisher - not required for cars but recommended for motorhomes and campervans
• Spare bulb kit - once mandatory, now only recommended. Modern cars with sealed LED units make this impractical anyway. If your car has replaceable bulbs, carrying spares is a sensible precaution

Vehicle requirements

These are the things to check on the vehicle itself before you set off.

• MOT is valid - your vehicle must have a current MOT to be driven legally in Europe. Check at gov.uk/check-mot-status
• Tyres in good condition - minimum 1.6mm tread depth (French law matches UK law). Winter tyres or chains may be required in mountainous areas between November and March - look for signs showing the B26 mountain area designation
• Headlights adjusted or deflected - as above, prevent dazzle for oncoming traffic
• Crit’Air sticker displayed - bottom-right of windscreen as viewed from outside. Apply before your trip at francestickers.co.uk
• Number plates clean and legible - obscured plates can result in a fine and prevent ANPR cameras from reading your registration

French road rules UK drivers must know

Driving in France is straightforward once you adjust to a few key differences.

Speed limits

French speed limits are in kilometres per hour. They also change in wet weather.

Road Type	Dry Limit	Wet Limit	New Driver Limit
Autoroute (motorway)	130 km/h	110 km/h	110 km/h
Dual carriageway	110 km/h	100 km/h	100 km/h
Single carriageway	80 km/h	80 km/h	80 km/h
Built-up area	50 km/h	50 km/h	50 km/h

“New drivers” means those who have held their licence for less than 3 years. The reduced autoroute limit of 110 km/h applies to them even in dry conditions.

Speed cameras are widespread in France and fines are issued automatically. A typical speeding fine starts at €68 for exceeding the limit by up to 20 km/h.

Priorite a droite (priority to the right)

This is the rule that catches the most British drivers out. At junctions without road markings or signs, traffic coming from the right has priority - even if you are on what appears to be the main road.

This rule applies in towns and villages, on rural roads, and at roundabouts that do not have “cedez le passage” (give way) markings. If in doubt, slow down and check to your right.

Modern roundabouts with give-way lines at each entry work the same as UK roundabouts - traffic on the roundabout has priority. But older, unmarked roundabouts still use priority to the right.

Overtaking rules

• Never overtake on the right (outside lane) on a multi-lane road
• Solid white centre lines mean absolutely no overtaking
• You must indicate when pulling out to overtake and when pulling back in
• On autoroutes, the left lane is for overtaking only - do not cruise in it

Child seat rules

• Children under 10 must use an appropriate child seat or booster in the rear of the vehicle
• Rear-facing seats must not be placed in the front passenger seat if the airbag is active
• Child seats must meet ECE R44/04 or UN R129 (i-Size) standards - most UK-bought seats comply

Mobile phones

• Completely hands-free only - holding a phone while driving is a €135 fine
• Earbuds and headphones are banned - you cannot wear earphones, earbuds, or a headset while driving in France, even for hands-free calls. Use the car’s built-in Bluetooth or a dashboard-mounted speaker
• If you need to use your phone for navigation, mount it on the dashboard or windscreen

Alcohol limits

The French drink-drive limit is 0.5 mg/ml blood alcohol (compared to 0.8 in England and Wales). That is roughly one small glass of wine for most people. For drivers with less than 3 years’ experience, the limit drops to 0.2 mg/ml - effectively zero tolerance.

Dash cams

• Legal to use in France for personal recording and insurance evidence
• Do not share footage publicly that shows identifiable people or number plates without consent
• Keep footage for personal or insurance use only

Tolls and payment

French autoroutes are mostly toll roads (péages). Be prepared for the cost and payment methods.

• Bring a contactless payment card - most toll booths accept Visa and Mastercard contactless. Some older booths still require chip and PIN or cash
• Carry some euro coins and notes - for unmanned toll booths that do not accept cards, particularly on smaller autoroutes and at tunnel entrances
• Consider a toll tag - if you drive in France regularly, a Bip&Go or Ulys tag lets you use the dedicated “t” lanes and charges your account automatically. Available online from around €2/month
• Budget for toll costs - a Calais-to-Nice run costs approximately €75–€90 in tolls each way. Calais to Paris is around €25

Vehicle classification at tolls

Class	Vehicle Type	Relative Cost
1	Cars, motorcycles, vans under 2m	Standard rate
2	Cars/vans over 2m tall, vehicles towing trailers	~1.5x standard
3	Two-axle trucks and large motorhomes	~2x standard
4	Three+ axle trucks	~3x standard

Motorhomes over 3 metres tall are charged at Class 2 rates. Caravans and trailers also push you into Class 2.

Fuel

French fuel terminology differs from the UK. Do not fill up with the wrong type.

• SP95 / Sans Plomb 95 - standard unleaded petrol (equivalent to UK unleaded)
• SP98 / Sans Plomb 98 - premium unleaded petrol
• SP95-E10 - unleaded with up to 10% ethanol (check your car is compatible - most post-2011 cars are)
• Gazole / Diesel - diesel fuel. The pump is usually yellow
• GPL - LPG (autogas)
• AdBlue - diesel exhaust fluid, available at most motorway stations for modern diesel cars that need it

Fuel prices in France are typically higher than the UK. Supermarket fuel stations (Leclerc, Carrefour, Intermarché) are the cheapest. Autoroute stations are the most expensive - fill up before joining the motorway if possible.

Emergency information

• European emergency number: 112 - works from any phone, connects to all emergency services
• Breakdown: if you break down on an autoroute, use the orange emergency phones (every 2km) or call your breakdown provider. You must use the autoroute’s designated recovery service - you cannot have your own breakdown company attend on the autoroute
• Accident procedure: stop, put on hi-vis vests, place warning triangle, call 112 if anyone is injured, exchange insurance details, complete a constat amiable (European accident statement) if possible

Final pre-departure checks

Before you leave:

• All documents printed and accessible (not buried in luggage)
• Crit’Air sticker applied to windscreen
• Hi-vis vests in the passenger compartment
• Warning triangle accessible
• Headlights adjusted or deflectors applied
• Sat nav updated and set to km/h
• Travel insurance purchased and details saved to phone
• Basic French phrases for emergencies saved or printed
• Euro cash withdrawn for tolls and emergencies
• Breakdown cover extended for European travel

That is everything. If you have worked through this list, you are better prepared than 90% of drivers crossing the Channel. Drive safely and enjoy France.