Driving in France when you come from the United States
An experienced American driver knows how to handle a car. What causes difficulty in France is a handful of rules that directly contradict their reflexes. Here are the main ones, each with the article of the French Code de la route behind it.
Turning right on red
In the United States
Generally allowed after a full stop unless a sign says otherwise; prohibited in New York City, among others.
In France
Never: a red light means an absolute stop. Only a flashing yellow arrow placed next to the red light allows you to turn, yielding to others.
Source: Code de la route, art. R412-30; order of 24 November 1967
Priority to the right
In the United States
At the few uncontrolled intersections, rules vary; the 4-way stop sets the order of arrival.
In France
At any intersection without signs, you must yield to traffic coming from your right, even if you are on the wider road.
Source: Code de la route, art. R415-5
Stop signs
In the United States
At a 4-way stop, everyone stops, then proceeds in order of arrival.
In France
A stop sign sets no turn-taking: whoever has it stops, then yields to every vehicle on the road being entered.
Source: Code de la route, art. R415-6
Speed limits
In the United States
In miles per hour, set by each state.
In France
In km/h: 50 in built-up areas, 80 on other roads (90 where the local authority has decided so), 110 on dual carriageways, 130 on motorways, reduced to 110 in rain.
Source: Code de la route, art. R413-2 and R413-3
Alcohol
In the United States
A 0.08% limit in most states, i.e. 0.8 g per litre of blood.
In France
0.5 g per litre of blood, and 0.2 g for probationary licence holders and public transport drivers.
Source: Code de la route, art. R234-1
These differences take minutes to read and longer to become reflexes. That is exactly what our programmes work on, on the routes you actually drive.
These differences summarise general rules and do not replace the Code de la route. Rules abroad may vary by state or region. For the validity of a foreign licence, refer to service-public.fr and the ANTS.