http://www.rac.co.uk/driving-abroad/france/
If you’re driving in France you’ll need:
A valid, full UK driving licence – both the photo card and paper counterpart
A GB sticker clearly displayed on the back of your car – unless your car has ‘Euro-plates’ (number-plates that show a circle of 12 stars on a blue background)
Your motor insurance certificate
Headlamp converters (stickers you put on your headlights when you’re driving on the right, so your lights don’t dazzle motorists coming the other way)
A warning triangle and reflective jacket for use if you break down or have to pull over to change a wheel or deal with any other problems. If you don’t have these, you could be fined around €90
You must also:
Be 18 or over
Wear your seatbelt at all times (this applies to everyone in the car)
Wear a crash helmet if you’re riding a motorcycle
It’s a good idea to have:
Spare bulbs for your car’s external lights
A fire extinguisher
A first aid kit
A Green Card – it’s a useful back-up to your motor insurance documents and shows you’ve got the minimum legal level of cover. If you’d like to find out more, contact your insurance company
A Camping Card International to give you additional proof of identity, third party liability insurance, plus discounts at a wide range of campsites and tourist attractions. Find out more here
Other things you should know:
You’ll have to pay motorway tolls – often these are automated barriers, so take plenty of change
It’s illegal to carry any radar detection equipment, whether or not it’s switched on
Petrol, diesel and LPG are readily available at most filling stations. You can also find lead replacement petrol (LRP) – it’s called ‘supercarurant’
Children under 10 can’t travel in the front seat
The speed limit is 50kph in towns, 80-100kph on open roads and 110-130kph on motorways
If you’re caught speeding, you could be given a hefty on-the-spot fine and your car and licence could be confiscated there and then
The drink-driving limit is 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood – lower than the UK limit of 80mg per 100ml
You should only use your horn in an emergency
If you want the car in front to give way, flash your headlights
In built-up areas, if there’s no yellow diamond sign, you must give way to any cars coming out of a side turning on the right
The last car in a queue of slow-moving traffic must use their hazard lights as a warning