Do motorists in France drive on the left?

No—France drives on the right-hand side of the road. That applies across metropolitan France and its overseas departments and regions, so visitors should plan to keep right, overtake on the left, and expect left-hand-drive vehicles.

Which side of the road does France use?

France uses right-hand traffic nationwide, with left-hand-drive cars the norm. This system dates back to post-Revolution road rules and was reinforced as motor traffic expanded in the 20th century. Neighboring microstates such as Monaco and Andorra also drive on the right.

French overseas territories (including Réunion, Martinique, Guadeloupe, Mayotte, French Guiana, New Caledonia, French Polynesia, Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon, Saint-Barthélemy, Saint-Martin, and Wallis & Futuna) also drive on the right. Some islands may have a mix of left- and right-hand-drive vehicles due to imports, but traffic keeps right.

How this compares with nearby countries

Most of continental Europe drives on the right. The closest left-driving neighbors are the United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, and Malta (plus the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man), so travelers crossing from those places into France must switch to right-hand traffic immediately upon arrival.

What visitors need to know when driving in France

The following points summarize the side-of-road implications and key rules that catch out visitors most often. They’re especially useful if you’re arriving from a left-driving country.

• Keep right, overtake left: Stay in the rightmost lane except when overtaking; return right after passing.
• Roundabouts: Typically, vehicles already on the roundabout have priority (yield signs mark entries). A rare exception is Paris’s Place Charles-de-Gaulle (Arc de Triomphe), where entering traffic has priority unless signage states otherwise.
• “Priorité à droite”: At unsigned intersections, traffic from your right has priority. Look for yield/stop signs that override this rule.
• Speed limits (unless signed otherwise): 130 km/h on motorways (110 in rain), 110 km/h on divided highways without tolls, 80–90 km/h on two-lane roads without a median (many departments set 90 on selected stretches), 50 km/h in built-up areas, and 30 km/h in many city zones. In very poor visibility (under 50 m), the maximum is 50 km/h.
• Tolls (péage): Many motorways charge tolls. Payment by card is widely accepted; electronic tags (télépéage) let you use dedicated lanes.
• Low-emission zones (ZFE): Several cities require a Crit’Air emissions sticker for entry at certain times; check local rules before you drive.
• Alcohol limits: 0.05% BAC for most drivers; 0.02% for novice drivers (under three years licensed). Police checks are common.
• Phones and audio: Handheld phone use is illegal; using headphones/earbuds while driving is also banned.
• Safety equipment: A reflective vest (accessible in the cabin) and a warning triangle are required. The personal breathalyzer carry rule is no longer enforced.
• Winter rules: In designated mountain areas (Loi Montagne) from 1 Nov to 31 Mar, winter tires or chains are mandatory—watch for signs.
• Speed cameras: Enforcement is widespread. Devices or apps that pinpoint camera locations are illegal; only “danger zone” alerts are permitted.
• Documents: Carry your driving licence, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance. An International Driving Permit may be advisable depending on your licence origin, but EU/EEA licences are accepted; UK licences are valid for short visits.

Taken together, these rules reflect standard right-hand driving practices in Europe, with a few France-specific nuances—especially priorité à droite and roundabout priorities—you’ll want to internalize quickly.

Tips for drivers arriving from left-driving countries

Expect a rapid changeover to the right when you exit a ferry or the Eurotunnel terminal. Plan ahead for visibility, signage, and payments so the switch feels seamless.

• Headlights: Fit beam deflectors or adjust lights to avoid dazzling oncoming traffic.
• Speed units: All limits are in km/h (not mph). Many rental cars display both.
• Toll booths: Solo drivers of right-hand-drive cars may find payment easier with contactless cards or an electronic tag.
• Navigation: Set your sat-nav/app for France; ensure it complies with speed camera alert rules.
• Lane discipline: After overtaking, move back to the right—left lanes are for passing.

With these preparations, the transition from left- to right-hand traffic is usually straightforward within the first few kilometers.

Summary

France does not drive on the left; it drives on the right across both mainland and overseas territories. Visitors should keep right, overtake left, watch for priorité à droite at unsigned junctions, respect posted speed limits and toll rules, and prepare for low-emission and winter equipment requirements where applicable.

Is it hard for Americans to drive in France?

Driving in France as an American is manageable, though requires preparation for specific rules like priorité à droite (priority to the right), and the prevalence of roundabouts. Major cities like Paris are best avoided due to heavy traffic and difficult parking, making a car more suitable for countryside travel. You will need an International Driving Permit (IDP) along with your U.S. license, and it’s wise to get a GPS and understand French road signs and toll payment systems before driving. 
Key French Driving Rules to Know

• Priorité à Droite: This is the most significant difference from U.S. driving. When there are no signs, traffic from the right has the right-of-way at intersections, so you must yield to cars on your right. 
• Roundabouts (Ronds-points): These are very common and serve as major intersections, so learn how to navigate them. 
• Lane Discipline: Stay in the right lane unless you are passing; the left lane is for overtaking only. 
• Speed Limits: Be aware of speed cameras and understand that speed limits can be higher on highways (autoroutes) and lower in towns. 
• No Right Turn on Red: This rule does not exist in France. 

Practical Considerations

• International Driving Permit (IDP): You need an IDP, which translates your U.S. driver’s license into multiple languages. Get one from the AAA before you leave. 
• GPS: A GPS is highly recommended, especially for navigating complex cities and country roads. 
• Tolls (Péage): French highways often have toll booths. You can pay with cash or credit card, but it’s best to know how the system works beforehand. 
• Parking: Parking in cities can be scarce and expensive. In rural areas, look for blue zones, which require a parking disc. 

When to Drive and When Not To

• Avoid City Driving: Opens in new tabCities such as Paris have heavy traffic, poor signage, and limited, costly parking. Use public transportation within cities. 
• Embrace Countryside Roads: Opens in new tabDriving is excellent for exploring the countryside, allowing you to travel at your own pace and discover more of the country. 

General Tips

• Be Patient: While French drivers can be direct, they follow rules and signals. When encountering impatient drivers behind you on narrow roads, pull over to let them pass. 
• Know the Signs: Road signs are in French, so familiarize yourself with common ones like “Rappel” (speed limit reminder) and “Sortie” (exit). 

When did France switch to right-hand drive?

During the 1700s, many farmers began to pull their vehicles using teams of horses rather than just one. In 1794, France passed the first right-hand driving laws, and this law would spread with Napoleon’s conquests.

Why does England drive on the left?

England, along with other left-driving nations like Ireland and Australia, drives on the left due to historical practices, including keeping the sword hand free for right-handed individuals, and the later adoption of official rules by Roman authorities and British governments to manage traffic on roads. This tradition was solidified in the 18th and 19th centuries with various Highway Acts and has become a deeply ingrained custom that would be too expensive and dangerous to change.
 
Medieval Origins

• Keeping the sword hand free: In medieval times, the rule of the road was for pedestrians and horse riders to keep to the left so that their dominant right hand (sword hand) was free to defend against oncoming threats or to offer a greeting. 
• Roman influence: Some historical evidence suggests left-side preference began with the Roman Empire, where larger wagons and carts would often travel down the middle of the road but in busy areas would keep to the right. 

The Emergence of Laws

• Pope Boniface VIII: Opens in new tabThe first official sanction for driving on the left was in 1300, when Pope Boniface VIII declared that all pilgrims traveling to Rome should keep to the left. 
• Early British laws: Opens in new tabBy the 18th century, British roads were becoming more congested. Laws, such as the General Highways Act of 1773 and the 1835 Highway Act, were introduced, mandating left-hand driving to reduce collisions. 

Napoleon’s Influence and the Shift to the Right

• The French Revolution: Opens in new tabFollowing the French Revolution, driving on the right became associated with democracy, as nobility changed their habits. 
• Napoleon’s decrees: Opens in new tabNapoleon ordered his armies to march and conquer on the right. This led to the gradual adoption of right-hand driving across much of mainland Europe, but Britain, as a nation that successfully resisted Napoleon’s invasion, maintained its left-hand custom. 

Modernization and Legacy

• Colonialism: The British Empire exported its left-hand driving system to its colonies, which is why countries like India, Australia, and New Zealand also drive on the left. 
• Cost of Change: Attempting to change traffic systems, like the expensive and potentially dangerous switch to driving on the right in the 1960s, was considered impractical, solidifying the tradition of left-hand driving in the UK. 

Which countries drive on the left in Europe?

The Channel Islands, Ireland, The Isle of Man, Cyprus, and Malta are the only European countries that also drive on the left. If you’re hiring a car on a European holiday anywhere except for these places, you’ll need to be confident driving on the opposite side of the road.