Driving a Rental in France: Laws, Documents & Local Tips

Car Hire Insights

15th December, 2025

Exploring France by car gives you the freedom to discover charming villages, rolling vineyards and coastal roads at your own pace. But if you’re a UK driver renting a car in France, it’s vital to understand the local driving laws, prepare the right documents, and adapt to some key differences on French roads. This comprehensive guide covers everything from French road rules and required equipment to common challenges like tolls and parking, plus local tips (like priorité à droite) that often surprise UK motorists. We’ll also show why Gigasure’s Car Hire Excess Insurance is a smart, cost-effective choice to protect yourself in France. Buckle up and let’s get started! 

French Driving Laws & Regulations for Tourists 

When driving in France as a visitor, you must follow French road rules which can differ from the UK. Here are the key laws and regulations to know before you hit the road in your rental: 

• Drive on the Right: In France, traffic keeps to the right-hand side. This may sound obvious, but it’s easy to forget when turning at junctions or setting off from services. Always double-check you’re on the right side, especially after stops. On roundabouts, traffic flows counterclockwise (opposite of the UK), yield to vehicles coming from your left already on the roundabout. 
• Minimum Driving Age: The legal driving age in France is 18 years old. This means even if you hold a full UK licence at 17, you cannot drive in France until age 18. (Car hire companies typically require renters to be 21+ with at least 1 year of licensed driving, and may add a young driver surcharge if you’re under 25.) 
• Seat Belts & Child Restraints: Seat belt use is compulsory for all occupants, front and rear. The driver is responsible for ensuring everyone buckles up. Children under 10 years old are not allowed to ride in the front seat in France. Young children must use appropriate child seats, under ~15kg in a proper child seat, and booster cushions for older kids, similar to UK rules. 
• Drink Driving Limit: France has a lower alcohol limit than the UK. The maximum blood alcohol content is 0.05% (50 mg per 100 ml), compared to 0.08% in England. For new drivers (licensed under 3 years) the limit is even lower at 0.02%. In practice, even one drink could put you over the limit, so it’s safest to avoid alcohol entirely if you’re driving. Penalties for drink-driving are severe: fines of €135 for readings over 0.05%, and over €4,000 plus a license ban if you’re above 0.08%. Random police breath-tests are common (you’re 20 times more likely to be breath-tested in France than in the UK). 
• Speed Limits: Speed limits in France are posted in kilometres per hour and are strictly enforced by speed cameras. Standard limits (unless signs state otherwise) are: 130 km/h on motorways (about 80 mph), 110 km/h on dual carriageways, 80 km/h on most two-lane rural roads (since 2018, lowered from 90 km/h), and 50 km/h in towns and villages. In wet weather, highway limits drop to 110 km/h on motorways and 100 km/h on dual carriageways, so slow down when it rains. Always pay attention to posted signs, as limits can vary by location and conditions. Remember: speed cameras are everywhere (more on that later), so stick to the limits! 
• Mobile Phones & Headsets: It’s illegal to use a handheld phone while driving (as in the UK), and France also bans the use of any headphones or earphones by the driver. You cannot drive with AirPods in or a Bluetooth earpiece attached, the only exception is for integrated hands-free systems or motorcycle helmet intercoms. Police can fine you on the spot if you’re caught using headphones or texting at the wheel. 
• Traffic Violations & On-the-Spot Fines: French police can issue hefty on-the-spot fines for breaking traffic rules (e.g. speeding, not carrying required equipment). They may request immediate payment in cash or card. Speeding even a few km/h over the limit can trigger an automatic camera fine. Don’t assume foreign plates exempt you, in 2023 over 62,000 traffic fines were mailed to UK drivers from France for offences like speeding and red-light running. Under EU agreements, these fines can follow you home. To avoid nasty surprises, drive cautiously and within the law at all times. 

Documents UK Drivers Need for Car Rental in France 

Make sure you have all the necessary documents in order before you pick up your rental car in France. If you’re a UK visitor, you will typically need: 

• Full UK Driving Licence: You must carry your valid UK driving licence (photocard). Provisional licences are not accepted. Ensure it’s not expired and remember the legal driving age is 18 in France. If your licence is the older paper-only type, consider upgrading to a photocard or check if an International Driving Permit is required, however, for most UK photocard licence holders, no IDP is needed to drive in France. 
• Passport: Your passport will be needed as identification when renting the car and if stopped by police. France requires everyone to carry ID. Make sure your passport is valid for at least 3 months beyond your trip. Rental companies will usually ask for your passport along with your licence at pick-up. 
• Credit Card for Deposit: Virtually all car hire companies in France require a credit card in the main driver’s name for the security deposit. Ensure you have a card with sufficient credit limit available. The rental firm will block a deposit (often €800, €1,500, equal to the insurance excess) on your card, this is released when you return the car undamaged. Debit cards may not be accepted for deposits, so check ahead with your rental provider. 
• Proof of Insurance: By law, every car in France must be insured for at least third-party liability. If you’re renting, the rental car will come with basic insurance included, ask the rental agent or check your contract to find the “Attestation d’assurance” (insurance certificate). It’s wise to carry a copy of the rental agreement/insurance details in the car. If you are driving your own UK car or a UK rental abroad, you should carry your UK insurance certificate (and consider obtaining a “Green Card” from your insurer if advised, though it’s no longer mandatory post-2021). 
• Vehicle V5C or VE103 Document: This applies if you drive your own car from the UK or a UK-hired vehicle into France. A UK-registered vehicle must carry the V5C log book to prove you’re the owner. If it’s a leased or rented vehicle from the UK, you’ll need a VE103 permission to travel form instead (this shows you have the owner’s consent to take the vehicle abroad). Keep this documentation in the car. (If you’re renting in France, the car’s registration papers will be in the vehicle already, you don’t need a V5C yourself in that case.) 

Pro Tip: It’s smart to print out your key documents (licence check code from DVLA, rental confirmation, Gigasure policy info, etc.) and keep digital copies. That way, if asked for proof or in case of emergency, you have everything at hand. 

Mandatory In-Car Equipment in France 

France has specific requirements for safety equipment that must be carried in your vehicle. If you’re renting a car in France, reputable rental companies will usually equip the car with these items, but always double-check, as you are ultimately responsible for compliance. If you are driving your own car, you’ll need to bring these with you. The mandatory in-car equipment includes: 

• Reflective High-Visibility Jacket: You must have a reflective hi-vis vest or jacket for the driver (and ideally one for each passenger) inside the car. It must be accessible without exiting the vehicle, so keep it in the glove box or under the seat, not in the boot. In case of a breakdown or accident, you are required to put on the hi-vis before stepping onto the road. Failing to carry one can result in a fine up to €135. 
• Warning Triangle: All cars in France must carry a red reflective warning triangle. In an accident or breakdown, you’ll need to place the triangle on the road to warn approaching traffic (approximately 30m behind your vehicle). Like the jacket, this is compulsory and a missing triangle could mean a €135 fine. (Exception: motorcyclists are not required to carry a triangle, but car drivers are.) 
• Headlamp Beam Deflectors: If your vehicle has UK-type headlights that dip to the left, you’ll need beam deflector stickers or an adjustment to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers when driving on the right. This is compulsory for UK cars driving in France. Many French rental cars are left-hand drive with beams already set for right-side driving, so you won’t need stickers on a French-registered hire car, but if you’ve brought your own car or a UK rental, make sure to apply headlamp converters before nightfall. 
• UK Country Identifier Sticker: Since 28 September 2021, UK-registered vehicles driving in Europe must display a “UK” badge (the old "GB" stickers are no longer valid). If your number plate doesn’t have the new UK identifier and Union Jack, you need a black and white “UK” sticker on the rear of the car. (Not needed on French hire cars, of course.) 
• Crit’Air Emissions Sticker (if needed): Many French cities have Low Emission Zones requiring a Crit’Air vignette on your windscreen to show your vehicle’s emissions category. If you plan to drive into cities like Paris, Lyon, Lille, or others, check if your car needs a Crit’Air sticker. French rental cars might already have one if they’re new and low-emission, but it’s worth asking the rental company. You can order a Crit’Air sticker online for about €4, driving in a restricted zone without one can incur fines of €68, €135. 
• Snow Chains/Winter Tyres (seasonal): If you’re traveling in winter (Nov 1,Mar 31) to mountainous regions (Alps, Pyrenees, etc.), be aware that French law requires suitable winter equipment (winter tyres or carry snow chains) in certain areas during this period. Look for road signs indicating these requirements. Rental companies can provide snow chains if you’re headed to the ski slopes, request them if needed. 
• Breathalyser Kit: You might have heard that France requires drivers to carry a disposable breathalyser kit, this was a law in the past, but as of 2020 it is no longer mandatory. The rule was never strictly enforced and has been officially scrapped. You will not be fined for not carrying a breathalyser. Nonetheless, some drivers choose to carry one for personal use, given the low drink-drive limit. The police, however, will use their own calibrated devices if they test you, your job is simply to stay under the limit! 

Aside from the above, a few other items are strongly recommended: a first aid kit, fire extinguisher, and spare bulb kit (in case you need to replace a blown headlight/taillight). These aren’t legally required, but having them can save the day. And remember, GPS speed camera alerts must be disabled on your satnav; it’s illegal for your navigation device or app to warn about speed camera locations in France. Ensure any “speed camera alert” functions are turned off or set to the generic “danger zone” warning mode before driving. 

Common Driving Challenges in France 

Even seasoned UK drivers can face a few challenges when hitting the French roads. Here are some common scenarios and tips for handling them: 

• Rural Roads & “D” Routes: Much of France’s charm lies off the motorways, on rural departmental roads (“Route départementale” marked with a D). Be prepared for narrow, winding lanes in the countryside. These roads often have no center line and can suddenly pass through small villages. Agricultural vehicles, cyclists, and even livestock on the road are not unusual in farming areas, so drive patiently and be ready to slow down. Note that many rural intersections operate under the “priority to the right” rule (more on priorité à droite in the next section), meaning a car coming out of a little side road on your right might have right-of-way, even if you’re on what seems the main road. Always stay alert at junctions marked with a yellow diamond with a black strike-through (which indicates priority to the right). Finally, keep an eye out for the yellow speed enforcement signs warning of speed camera zones, countryside doesn’t mean no cameras! If you see “Contrôles radars fréquents”, it means speed checks are frequent in that area. 
• Toll Motorways (Autoroutes): Major expressways in France (the Autoroutes, marked “A” plus number) are often toll roads (péage). These toll motorways are fast and efficient for covering long distances, but you’ll have to pay. At entry, you’ll typically take a ticket from an automated machine; on exit (or at a toll plaza), you pay based on distance travelled. Payment can be made by credit/debit card or cash (coins/notes) at the toll booths. Look for the blue lanes with a credit card symbol for card payments, or the green lane with a manned booth if you need to pay cash or get change. DO NOT go into the lane marked with a white “t” on orange (Télépéage) unless you have a French toll tag installed, those are reserved for vehicles with electronic transponders. It’s wise to carry some Euro cash/coins in case your card doesn’t work at an unmanned toll. Tolls can add up, for example, a drive from Calais to the South of France might cost €100+ in tolls. If you plan extensive highway driving, you could consider getting a toll tag (e.g. Emovis Télépéage) which lets you use the fast automatic lanes and bills your credit card later. Otherwise, factor toll costs into your holiday budget. On long stretches, watch for rest areas (aires) for breaks, some are simple picnic spots, others have fuel and restaurants. 
• Parking in Towns & Cities: Parking in France can be an adventure in itself due to some unique rules and tight spaces, especially in historic city centres. In many towns, street parking alternates sides based on the date, one side of the street for the first half of the month, the other side for the second half (signs will say “Stationnement alterné semi-mensuel”). Also, parking may be free in areas marked with a dotted white line or no markings, whereas paid zones often have painted lines (blue or other colours) and signs for ticket machines. You’ll frequently encounter Blue Zones (Zone Bleue) in smaller towns and city districts: these allow free parking for a limited time (e.g. 1 or 2 hours) if you display a blue parking disc showing your arrival time. The disc (“disque de stationnement”) is a cardboard clock dial, set the time you parked and place it on the dashboard. Discs are available cheaply at tobacconists or tourist offices. Failing to display one when required could get you a parking fine. Always read the local signs, they will indicate hours of enforcement and time limits. In big cities like Paris, street parking is heavily regulated or reserved for residents. Paris specifically bans parking in the same spot for over 24 hours and has many pedestrian-only zones. It’s often easiest to use underground car parks in cities, which are secure albeit a bit pricey. Lastly, never park where you see yellow lines or “Interdit de stationner” signs, your car could be towed. When in doubt, use a parking garage or designated lot to avoid fines on your holiday. 
• Traffic Cameras & Fines: France is notorious for its extensive use of traffic cameras. Fixed speed cameras patrol highways and secondary roads, and many traffic lights have red-light cameras in larger towns. There are also mobile speed cameras and unmarked police cars. If you speed or run a red light, expect a ticket. Standard speeding fines are usually €68, €135 for minor excesses, but can escalate for major violations. Importantly, being a tourist won’t save you, France actively pursues foreign drivers. In 2023, nearly 63,000 fines were mailed to UK drivers for traffic offences in France, despite the UK not being in the EU. They have systems in place to obtain UK vehicle keeper details, so the notice will find its way to your mailbox. It’s best to respect all limits and signals to avoid these costly souvenirs. Also note, as mentioned earlier, radar detectors are illegal (up to €1,500 fine and vehicle confiscation) and even having speed-camera locations enabled on your GPS is against the law. Make sure your sat-nav’s French mode is compliant or use apps like Waze, which adjust to only warn of “danger zones” (not specific camera points) in France. Keep an eye on your speed, use your common sense, and you’ll be fine. 

France Car Hire Tips for UK Drivers 

Beyond laws and logistics, there are a few local driving tips and cultural differences that UK drivers should know when driving a hire car in France. These will help you drive more like a local and avoid any faux pas on the road: 

• “Priorité à Droite”, Priority to the Right: This classic French road rule catches many foreign drivers off guard. On French roads, unless you see signs indicating otherwise, traffic coming from your right has the right-of-way at intersections. This is the opposite of how priority works in the UK (where major roads usually have priority). In practical terms, when you’re driving on a road and you approach an uncontrolled junction (no traffic light, no stop or yield signs for the side road), you must yield to any vehicle emerging from your right. These minor side streets may not have a stop sign, relying on priorité à droite. A small yellow diamond sign with a white border means you have priority on that road, but if you see an inverted white triangle with a red border (standard “yield” sign) or a sign reading “Vous n’avez pas la priorité” (you do not have priority), be extra cautious. A notorious example is the giant Place de l’Étoile roundabout around the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, cars entering it from the right historically had priority over those already circulating! (Thankfully, most major roundabouts now clearly give priority to circulating traffic.) Still, on rural roads and in some towns, priority-to-the-right intersections exist, so slow down at junctions and be prepared to stop if a vehicle is coming from a right-hand side street. 
• Roundabout Etiquette: French roundabouts (ronds-points) generally work like British ones in terms of yielding, vehicles already on the roundabout have priority, and those entering yield (give way) to traffic approaching from the left on the roundabout. You’ll usually see “Cédez le passage” (give way) signs or road markings on the approaches. Once on the roundabout, signal your intentions: use your indicator when you’re about to exit (signal right as you pass the exit before yours). Unlike the UK, French drivers often don’t signal on entry for going around, they typically only indicate as they exit. Keep an eye out for this. Also note that lanes on multi-lane roundabouts can be a bit of a free-for-all; stay in your lane and be cautious of others cutting across to exit. Fun fact: if you see the sign “⚠️ Vous n’avez pas la priorité” before a roundabout, it’s one of the rare old roundabouts where incoming traffic still has priority, in that case, treat it as a priority-to-the-right junction (but such roundabouts are uncommon nowadays). 
• Fuel Types & “Misfuelling” Caution: Don’t pull into a French petrol station expecting to see “unleaded” and “diesel” labels, the names are different! Unleaded petrol is called Essence Sans Plomb. You’ll usually see it as Sans Plomb 95 (SP95), SP95-E10 (95 octane with 10% ethanol, the most common petrol), or Sans Plomb 98 (SP98) for 98 octane premium. Diesel fuel is labelled Gazole (or sometimes just “Diésel”). Nozzles are often colored green for petrol and yellow or black for diesel, but don’t rely on colour, read the label. Double-check your car’s fuel type before filling up, since misfuelling (putting petrol in a diesel car, or vice versa) is a common costly mistake for tourists. If you do accidentally put the wrong fuel in, do not start the car, inform the rental company immediately. (Gigasure customers, take note: misfuelling is actually covered up to £2,000 under our Car Hire Excess Insurance, sparing you a huge bill from the rental firm!). Also, many petrol stations, especially at supermarkets, are self-service and may be unattended at night. You’ll need a chip-and-pin card to pay at the pump. Fill up when you have the chance; in rural areas stations can be far apart and closed on Sundays. Lastly, fuel is pricey, expect to pay around €1.70+/L for petrol and a bit less for diesel (rates fluctuate). Plan your fuel stops and don’t risk running on fumes in unfamiliar territory. 
• Driving Style & Other Tips: French drivers can be fast and assertive, especially on highways. Keep to the right lane on multilane roads except when overtaking; it’s illegal to overtake on the right on autoroutes. Use your indicators when changing lanes (tailgating is unfortunately common, so signal early to avoid sudden moves). If a driver flashes their headlights from behind, it often means “please let me pass”, move right when safe and let faster traffic overtake. In the mountains, uphill traffic has priority over downhill (the vehicle going up may have less maneuverability). Headlights: It’s recommended to use dipped headlights even in daytime on country roads for visibility. In rain or fog, use low-beam headlights (and fog lights if visibility is under 50m, where the speed limit also drops to 50 km/h). One more quirk: French traffic lights often go straight from red to green (no red-amber phase), and there’s no equivalent of the UK’s flashing amber at pelican crossings. Just wait for green. And a flashing amber light at an intersection means proceed with caution (yield to any traffic in the intersection). With these local nuances in mind, you’ll find driving in France quite enjoyable, the roads are generally excellent, the motorway rest stops are frequent (and often scenic), and you’re never far from an inviting café or boulangerie to perk up your journey! 

Smart Protection: Car Hire Excess Insurance in France for UK Travellers 

Hiring a car in France gives you freedom, but it also exposes you to high insurance excess costs if something goes wrong. French rental agreements typically include basic insurance (CDW, Collision Damage Waiver) but still leave you liable for an excess of €800, €1,800 (commonly) if the car is damaged or stolen. The rental desk will no doubt urge you to buy their “super CDW” to reduce your excess , but these offers can be £10,£20 per day, adding a hefty sum to your holiday budget. Fortunately, UK travellers have a better option: Gigasure’s Car Hire Excess Insurance for France. It’s an independent policy you buy before your trip, offering broader coverage at a fraction of the cost of the rental company’s insurance upsell. 

Why choose Gigasure? Here are the key benefits of Gigasure’s Car Hire Excess Insurance that make it the smart, cost-effective choice for Brits driving in France: 

• Comprehensive Excess Coverage: Gigasure covers up to £10,000 in rental car excess, meaning if your hire car gets scratched, dented, or stolen, we reimburse the repair costs or fees charged by the rental company. Importantly, our policy includes areas often excluded by rental company waivers, such as damage to tyres, wheels, windscreens, undercarriage, and roof are all covered as standard. Even typically tricky scenarios like theft of accessories, vandalism, or fire damage are covered under your excess limit. You can drive with total peace of mind that you won’t be out-of-pocket for dings or damages. 
• Misfuelling and Key Loss Cover: Gigasure goes beyond the basics. If you accidentally put the wrong fuel in your French rental car (a surprisingly common mishap), our policy covers misfuelling up to £2,000, potentially saving you an extremely expensive fix. We also include rental car key replacement (up to £500) at no extra charge, so if you lose the key fob at the beach, you’re covered. These are benefits that standard rental CDW waivers typically do not include or would charge extra for. 
• High Limit for Major Damage (CDW): Worried about a total loss or major accident? Gigasure’s Worldwide/Europe policies automatically include Collision/Loss Damage Waiver cover up to £75,000 for rentals that don’t come with CDW. In practice, most rentals in France include CDW, but this ensures that even if you rent elsewhere or have only basic third-party cover, Gigasure can step in up to £75k. In other words, the full value of the car is protected, huge peace of mind when you’re driving an unfamiliar vehicle abroad. 
• Cost Savings vs. Rental Company Insurance: Price is where Gigasure really shines. Rental companies in France often charge a steep daily rate for their excess waiver , sometimes as much (or more) than the cost of the car hire itself. Gigasure’s cover, by contrast, is much more affordable. You can pay per day or buy an annual multi-trip policy, and save up to 65% compared to the rental desk insurance for equivalent or better coverage. Many UK drivers report that a one-week Gigasure policy can cost less than two days of the hire company’s waiver. That’s real money back in your pocket, without skimping on protection. 
• Easy Claims & Convenience: We designed Gigasure to be traveler-friendly. You can purchase and manage your policy entirely via our website or the Gigasure mobile app, in minutes. If an incident occurs, you don’t need to stress, pay the rental company the charged excess, then claim it back from Gigasure at your convenience. Our claims process is straightforward, and you can even initiate it through the app with a few taps. We cover all named drivers on the rental agreement automatically (up to 9 drivers), so you don’t pay extra for additional drivers’ cover (another fee the rental desks would add on). With single-trip policies or annual cover for frequent travelers, you can tailor the plan to your needs. It’s the modern, hassle-free way to insure your rental car, made by people who love road trips just as much as you do. 

In summary, Gigasure’s Car Hire Excess Insurance for France lets UK travellers drive abroad with confidence. You get superior coverage (tyres, windscreen, undercarriage, keys, misfueling, you name it), high claim limits up to £75k, and significant savings, all backed by an expert, trustworthy insurer focused on travel. 

Ready to drive smarter on your French holiday? Before you set off, make sure you’re protected from those sneaky rental charges. Get a quick quote or learn more about Gigasure’s Car Hire Excess Insurance for France, and see how much you could save versus buying insurance at the rental desk. With the right cover in place, you can enjoy la belle France behind the wheel, bon voyage, and happy driving!