First Time Driving in France: What Nobody Tells You

Everyone tells you “remember to drive on the right.” You sort that out in about an hour. It’s the other things that actually shape the trip. Here’s what genuinely stood out on our first long drive in France.

The biggest surprise: the roads

The thing that surprised us most was how good the roads are. The autoroutes are smooth, well-signed and well-maintained, with none of the potholes or broken signs you get used to at home. It feels safe and genuinely enjoyable to drive, and it’s clearly where the toll money goes.

Driving on the right

The real adjustment is simply being on the other side of the road. We did slip up once or twice, usually at junctions or when concentrating on the sat-nav instead of the road. Watch the signs carefully, especially when following Google Maps or your car’s GPS, and take your time. After the first day it becomes second nature.

Priorité à droite

You’ll read warnings about priorité à droite, where traffic joining from the right has priority. We had no trouble with it. Watch for the signs (a yellow diamond means you have priority; the same sign crossed out means you don’t) and it’s straightforward.

Petrol stations

Another one we’d worried about needlessly. We used our UK bank card at the pump with no problem. Many supermarket and motorway stations are automated, so keep a card handy, and remember manned stations can be closed on Sundays.

What was easier than we feared

Honestly, most of it: the roads, paying at the pump, giving way to the right, even the tolls once we had an Emovis tag. The only thing that needs constant attention is staying on the correct side of the road.

Before your first French drive: the short list

A quick version of what to sort before you go; the full version is in our France driving checklist:

• UK sticker (not GB) on the car
• Headlamp beam deflectors
• Warning triangle and hi-vis vests
• Crit’Air sticker: £7, valid for the life of the car
• Check your breakdown cover includes Europe

Not sure if your car needs a sticker, or which category it is? Check it free:

For the full reference guide, see First Time Driving in France, and for the honest 18-day version, our France road trip write-up.