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Driving in France – Recommendations, Tips and Tricks

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25. In addition to some roads, in France drivers will need to pay for travelling through tunnels and bridges. The charge for the use of blue roads depends on the distance of a ride and on the type of a car.
26. Yellow marking on a road signifies the presence of parking spaces. Only owners of a special card can park their cars there. Yellow dotted lines added to the border of a pavement indicate that it is possible to make short stops (for picking up and drop-off of passengers) at this part of the road.
27. In large cities large parking lot can be found near underground stations. The time of use of such parking areas is limited. Drivers are usually permitted to occupy a parking space there for the period from 15 minutes to 2 hours. The time of arrival to the parking lot is recorded in a special ticket, so in case of a late payment driver will have to pay a fine.
28. It is possible to park a car for a longer term at special underground parking lots. They are usually located near central part of cities. It is worth noting that the tariff for such parking is slightly higher than the tariff for an ordinary one.
29. Transportation and any use of radar detectors are strictly prohibited. Violators of this rule can get a fine of 1,500 euro, as well as a mandatory forfeiture of the device. Drivers are also not allowed to use GPS-software that can track speed control cameras installed on the roads.
30. Drivers are permitted to use a mobile phone only together with a special “hands free” device. The fine for the violation of this rule is 150 euro. Moreover, you will get special points for speaking on a cell phone when driving.
31. There are special lanes on urban roads, which are dedicated to buses, taxis and cyclists only. Even if none of these modes of transport is present on the lane at the moment (this situation is rather rare), other drivers are still prohibited to occupy it.

Hints on Car Hire in France

When choosing a car for your France trip, don’t forget to check and compare the franchise amount (indicated in the rental conditions) for all cars considered in your selection. The franchise may vary from 200 to 2000 euro/dollars even for cars of the same class. A thorough comparison will allow you to choose the option with the lowest franchise.

During your booking, we will offer you to take a full coverage of the franchise ('No Risk' or 'No Excess' package). If you book a car without full coverage, it is recommended to take it at the pick-up time - this will substantially reduce your financial liability in France for the whole rental period.

During your car pick-up in France, do not forget to check what to do in breakdown-, accident- or theft-cases. Most of our offers include 'Breakdown Assistance' package. Besides this, every rental office would be happy to assist you with this package.

Prior to the car return, please check your voucher for the fuel conditions. If it is indicated that a driver shall return the car with a full tank, do not forget to refuel it on the way back, this will save you from additional charges at the rental office.

If you are looking for a car hire in France, we advise you to check OrangeSmile.com actual rental offers. Just use the orange search form at the top. We guarantee that you would not be able to find better rates anywhere else!
32. Road tolls should be paid in special kiosks that are located at the entrance or exit of a toll road. Drivers are also welcome to use special machines. Payments can be made either in cash or by a credit card.
33. Despite a huge number of cars, traffic jams are rather rare on local roads, even in large cities. As a rule, traffic is slow on weekdays from 7:30 to 9:00 and from 17:30 to 19:30. On Friday evening traffic jams can appear a little earlier.
34. When entering a paid section of a road, do not forget to pay a particular attention to the special scoreboard as it indicates the amount of the toll. Drivers should also keep in mind that in different parts of the country toll roads are managed by different companies.
35. Parking a car for more than a day can be done in special stalls only. All major cities have special “horodateurs” parking lots that are equipped with special payment machines. This type of parking can be paid only by a special card. These cards are sold only in specialized tobacco shops, which are marked with the “tabacs” sign.
36. It is possible to park for free during certain hours in specially designated areas. Typically, parking fee will not be charged on holidays and weekends, and during the period from 19:00 to 9:00 on weekdays. In many large cities drivers can enjoy free parking during the period from 12:00 to 13:30.
37. If the visibility on the road is less than 50 meters, then drivers are obliged to move at a speed of no more than 50 km/h, regardless of the type and characteristics of the road. There is also a speed limit for vehicles equipped with winter tires - no more than 90 km/h.
38. Drivers should not forget that there is also a concept of minimum speed on highways. Moving slower than 80 km/h is prohibited unless there is the influence of some external factors (the presence of adverse weather conditions or congestion).
39. Highways have a huge number of radars that trace speeding accurately. The presence of cameras is not marked and drivers are not alerted about them, so you should be especially careful and try not to exceed the speed limit.
40. According to the current rules, car drivers and bikers must always carry a disposable breathalyzer. It is prohibited to refuse to pass the test. This will inevitably lead to a heavy fine and disqualification.
41. If the content of alcohol in blood is from 0.5 ‰ to 0.8 ‰, the violator will be issued a fine of 135 euro. If the result of the breathalyzer exceeds 0.8 ‰, the violator can be fined up to 4,500 euro and can lose his driving license for a period of up to three years. If a drunk driver became a participant of an accident, he is likely to go to prison.
42. Starting from November 1, 2012, the absence of a breathalyzer is also the reason for a fine of 11 euro. The new rule applies equally to both local and foreign drivers. Breathalyzers can be bought literally in any specialty store or a gas station.
43. Driving in tunnels is allowed only with turned lower beams. According to the local regulations, all all-wheel-drive vehicles are recommended to use lower beam all the time, regardless of weather conditions, characteristics of a road and the type of a vehicle.
44. Tourists, who want to travel with children, should take into account a special rule that concerns the transportation of children weighing less than 13 kg. Besides the fact that they can travel only in special child seats, these seats have to be installed with their back in direction of the motion. The non-compliance of this rule will result in a fine of 135 euro.
45. A fine of up to 135 euro can be paid directly to a police officer. You must receive a receipt in this case. Violators, who pay a fine in the following 15 days after the fine’s issue, will get substantial “discount. If you delay the payment for more than 45 days, the fine will be increased in several times.
46. Note that “discounts” for fines are applied not to all traffic regulation violations, but only in case the fine was issued for a minor violation, such as a small speeding. Drivers must never forget to pay off all fines. A delay will inevitably lead to litigation and, as a result, to even greater financial penalties.
47. In addition diesel fuel, local gas stations offer unleaded petrol (sans plomb). Gas filling stations can be easily distinguished by the special LPG sign. Drivers are permitted to carry petrol in cans.
48. In winter traffic on some roads is possible only for cars equipped with special chains. Drivers will be notified about this by special warning signs. Chains should be added to the driving wheels only. In this case the vehicle’s speed should not be more than 50 km/h.
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