French Highway Code Book
Having taken my test here after 20 years of driving in North America and other parts of the world, I can confirm that some of the rules came as a surprise (and even my instructor found them somewhat amusing). For instance, you are not supposed to indicate that you are coming out of a roadside parking space until you cannot see any cars in your mirror!? What's the point, then? You don't so much indicate ahead of time to indicate the desire to change lanes (hoping that somebody will be polite and let you in) - you indicate that you ARE changing lanes and that you have presumably determined it is safe to do so.We were only given a little pamphlet in English and the rest of the rules were translated verbally for us, so I don't think an English edition of the Code B exists. I'm sure if you post any specific questions on this site, they will be answered by people who have driven here for many years and who understand the way things work.
French Highway Code Book Mauritius
In the meantime, best of luck and keep safe! Priority on roundabouts is the same as in the UK.Also the use of indicators as SJ describes is the same in the UK.
You are supposed to wait until it is safe to change lanes ( or leave a parking space), then signal, then maneuver. The signal is to warn people of your action, for example the cars in front and behind in the lanes.If you put the indicator on when it is not safe and wait, other people dont know if you are going to pull out in front of them.Using the indicator for lane changing in slow traffic where you hope someone will let you in, is not in the highway code but works the same in both France and the UK.As far as I know the rules on using horns are the same in both the UK and France. In both countries you are not supposed to use the horn as a way of saying goodbye or to warn the car in front that the lights have changed.Other than that most of the differences concern technical details, number plates, position of fog lights and so on.φ. Hello there 'anonymous sign'. Thanks for sharing your knowledge of the French Highway Code.
Serial windows server 2012 r2 standard x64. May I have the benefit of this again please?I know that persons can drive a 50cc motorcycle scooter without any licence, but what about a 100cc scooter? Can this be driven without a motorcycle licence, but with a full car licence?And what is all this 'hoo hah' about people complaining that the Police are fining you for not having number plates affixed with pop rivets rather than screws? Surely the French Police are not being so petty? Unless of course the recipients of such attention have been extremely awkward.I remember a long time ago, my father (in his Ferrari) being 'smart' to a British traffic policeman and getting the 'full treatment', ending up being ticketed for having a worn wiper blade rubber!!Just shows that you can never beat them if they want to get you!But the number plates rivet thing is of personal interest. I passed the french highway code on the third attempt!I found it very tricky as it is not just memorisation work required as in the UK which I got full marks for when I did it in the UK after reading the highway code the night before the exam. In france the questions are based on photos of road situations that you encounter and everyone taking the exam has to enter the answer on a remote control and move on to the next question at the same time.
Very much application based questions and often two responses per question.I suppose french people drive so badly here that the authorities have to make it so damn hard to pass!The rule I don't get is not having to give way to pedestrians waiting to cross a zebra crossing if they have yet to engage. So if someone has not risked their life to put their foot on the crossing, cars are not required to stop!!!!!!???????You can therefore wait there at the side of the road forever on a busy road or just risk it! The give way to the right rule does not apply to people coming out of dirt roads or driveways, although many drivers seem to think they have the right of way in this situation, so it's best to beware anyway.
Also, a sign that often goes ignored is the yellow diamond 'priority road' sign as well as the subsigns posted under traffic lights for when they aren't working. Don't automatically assume you can 'proceed with caution' on an orange flashing light.I am glad I was obliged to take my license here again because I learnt a lot. (Well, I had to find something positive in spending over 700 Euros that I couldn't afford!).
I was lucky enough to pass on the first try. But I have already forgotten a lot, too! Flyboy - SJ has answered this. In most of Europe, just because you have priority doesnt mean that you dont have to slow down for other people, so drivers tend to pull out in front of you if they think you wont have to brake too hard.David Murray - Is that me you are calling 'anonymous sign'? You can call me Phi.
If you have had a car licence for 2 years or more you can ride a scooter or motorbike upto 125cc. If you havent ridden one before you can take a 125 conversion at a driving school but it is not obligatory.Number plates are supposed to be riveted to make it harder for people to steal them or change them. This wasnt a problem in the past but what with all the speed cameras some people have taken to temporarily changing to 'borrowed' plates if they want to cover a long distance in a short time. So the police are clamping down on screws and non-standard plates that the computers cant read.MikeP - I am sorry that things have reached that stage and I think it is very brave of you to admit that you have become a danger. How many elderly people insist on driving until they have an accident?φ.
Hi David Murray,Even when you have learnt the French code (in French or from an English translation), may I suggest you still proceed with caution here.I would never presume that just because I have right of way I can freely go ahead. After having had a few near misses going through a green light - it's safe isn't it?
- or on roundabouts even when I have prioriity, or at 'priority' junctions, I have learnt to be very cautious. No doubt other drivers are cautious of me too, for while I think I drive well, this may be wishful thinking.However, recently on two different occasions drivers have rammed my back bumper while I was waiting at a red traffic light.
Never knew I was so popular!Good luck.F.
Guide to Driving in France. Driving Offences and Penalties.1.
Driving Offences and Penalties in FranceBelow is a summary of the penalties you may incur if you break the Code de la Route in France.Although the penalties sometimes look severe, the licence suspensions and prison suspensions shown are the maximum that a judge can decide.By contrast, all minor offence fines are automatic.Those resident in France from within the EU who commit an offence that would otherwise result in:. Restriction, cancellation or suspension of a French driving licence or,.
Loss of points on the licence,are also required to exchange their foreign licence for a French one. In practice, they may not require you to do this for a minor offence, but do not bank on it!Fines and imprisonment can also be applied against those driving in France on a foreign driving licence.In relation to some of the offences listed below, as well as the penalties listed you may also be liable to immediate roadside licence disqualification and/or confiscation of the vehicle.The position on cross-border offences is described in our Newsletter article.The following is the list of offences and the penalties that apply.