Countries › France
France
At a glance
- Traffic
- on the right
- Currency
- EUR
- Plugs
- types C, E · 230 V
- Emergency
- 112
Entering the country
- Schengen Area: 90 days in any 180-day period, all Schengen countries counted together.
- Passport valid at least 3 months after you leave Schengen and issued less than 10 years ago.
- EES: fingerprints and photo taken on your first entry into Schengen, then checked at each crossing (system in place since 2025-2026).
- ETIAS: online travel authorisation, planned for late 2026; check whether it's in force before you go.
Driver and insurance
- International Driving Permit recommended (CAA, AAA): cheap, and it saves trouble.
- Insurance: your North American policy isn't valid here. You need European insurance for a vehicle registered outside Europe, with its green card.
Speed limits
| Town | Road | Motorway | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Car, light RV | 50 | 80 | 130 |
| With a trailer or caravan if the combination is over 3.5 t | 50 | 80 | 90 |
In km/h. Signs always take precedence.
Tolls and vignettes Toll booths
Toll motorways with booths (credit cards accepted). A few free-flow sections with no booth (A79, A13, A14): pay online within 72 h. Caravans or RVs over 3 m high: pricier class.
Low-emission zones
Crit'Air sticker required in low-emission zones (ZFE: Paris, Lyon, Grenoble…) and during pollution peaks, foreign plates included. Order it only from certificat-air.gouv.fr, a few weeks ahead (sent by mail). ZFE rules changed a lot in 2025: check the city.
Boondocking Tolerated depending on the spot
Wild camping banned on the coast, in protected sites and wherever the mayor bans it. Many motorhome aires (often free or cheap). Parking to sleep without setting anything out is generally tolerated unless banned.
Mandatory equipment
- Reflective vest, within reach
- Warning triangle
- Breathalyser
- "Blind spot" stickers (over 3.5 t)
- Country-of-registration sticker (CDN or USA) on the back
Winter : Winter tires required from November 1 to March 31.
Good to know
- Mountain Law: from November 1 to March 31, winter tires or chains on board in mountain departments.
- Priority to the right at unsigned intersections, even in town.
- Radar detectors banned.
Famous routes
Frequently asked questions
- France: what do you need to enter the country with your vehicle?
- Schengen Area: 90 days in any 180-day period, all Schengen countries counted together. Passport valid at least 3 months after you leave Schengen and issued less than 10 years ago. EES: fingerprints and photo taken on your first entry into Schengen, then checked at each crossing (system in place since 2025-2026). ETIAS: online travel authorisation, planned for late 2026; check whether it's in force before you go. International Driving Permit recommended (CAA, AAA): cheap, and it saves trouble. Insurance: your North American policy isn't valid here. You need European insurance for a vehicle registered outside Europe, with its green card.
- France: what are the speed limits?
- Car and light RV: 50 in town, 80 on rural roads, 130 on motorways (km/h). With a trailer or caravan: 80 on rural roads, 90 on motorways.
- France: do you need a vignette or pay tolls?
- Toll motorways with booths (credit cards accepted). A few free-flow sections with no booth (A79, A13, A14): pay online within 72 h. Caravans or RVs over 3 m high: pricier class.
- France: are there low emission zones?
- Crit'Air sticker required in low-emission zones (ZFE: Paris, Lyon, Grenoble…) and during pollution peaks, foreign plates included. Order it only from certificat-air.gouv.fr, a few weeks ahead (sent by mail). ZFE rules changed a lot in 2025: check the city.
- France: is wild camping allowed?
- Tolerated depending on the spot. Wild camping banned on the coast, in protected sites and wherever the mayor bans it. Many motorhome aires (often free or cheap). Parking to sleep without setting anything out is generally tolerated unless banned.
- France: what equipment is required in the vehicle?
- Reflective vest, within reach, Warning triangle, Breathalyser, "Blind spot" stickers (over 3.5 t), Country-of-registration sticker (CDN or USA) on the back. Winter tires required from November 1 to March 31.