French Speed Limits

The Continent has always seemed a place where speed limits for drivers are higher. Tourists have felt fairly immune, since they'll soon be back home and out of the jurisdiction of the police force, and there's no agreement between many countries for enforcing fines. But in France you're no longer as free to speed as you once were.

The Penalties

Under new laws, foreign-registered cars caught by cameras speeding in France will be recorded on a national register - not good news if you're planning on visiting regularly with your car.

Speeding can mean an on-the-spot fine of up to €375 (£260), and if you don't have it, the police can keep your vehicle until you come up with the cash. If you're caught going more than 50kph over the limit, your car can be confiscated. Anyone caught going more than 25kph over the limit can lose their licence on the spot.

You need to carry your driving licence, the V5 vehicle registration document, and a current certificate of car insurance. If case you need to stop for an emergency you need either working hazard flashers or a warning triangle. Since it's the law, you also have to carry a spare set of light bulbs.

Remember too that the drink-driving limits are stricter than they are in Britain. You're classed as over the limit if you have more than 50 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood (it's 80 mg in Britain).

Radar traps are frequent, and urban speed limits start at the town sign (be very aware that those don't always coincide with the 50kph signs, so you need to keep your eyes open).

The Speed Limits

There are two sets of speed limits in France, one for dry weather, the other for wet. If it's less than two years since you passed your test, the lower wet weather limits apply at all times.

Dry Weather Limits:

• Built-Up Areas: 31 mph (50 kph)
• Outside Built-Up Areas: 55mph (90kph)
• Dual Carriageways and Non-Toll Motorways: 68mph (110 kph)
• Toll Motorways: 80 mph (130 kph)
• The Paris Ring Road has its own limit of 49 mph (80 kph)

Wet Weather Limits:

• Built-Up Areas: 31 mph (50 kph)
• Outside Built-Up Areas: 49mph (80kph)
• Dual Carriageways and Non-Toll Motorways: 62mph (100 kph)
• Toll Motorways: 68 mph (110 kph)

British drivers, though, aren't the worst speed offenders in France. According to statistics, that honour belongs to the Germans, followed by the Spanish and the Dutch. The British are responsible for only 8.5% of all motoring offences committed in France.

When travelling abroad, you need to remain very aware of your speed at all times, and familiarise yourself with exactly where the limits change to avoid problems.