big.h Posted May 21, 2011 Share Posted May 21, 2011 hi there. has anyone done much driving in france? going to le mans this year i was wondering what the speed limits were and how much the on the spot fines were and if they go up depending on your speed. any other info would be great as well. thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ace Posted May 21, 2011 Share Posted May 21, 2011 always put your head lights on in tunnels it's there law and the police usually wait the other end to nick the English as we are the only EU country that does not have that law yet! It's an on the spot fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob d Posted May 21, 2011 Share Posted May 21, 2011 mmmm good tip. I have been to lemans several times. On a bike and by cay. The police WERE allways very happy and laid back. Often encouraging you to nail it !! Probably smiling to see all the money turn up then the eeeedjuts leaving again. Its been a couple of years though. I will be finding out in July Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yankeesiter Posted May 21, 2011 Share Posted May 21, 2011 hi there. has anyone done much driving in france? going to le mans this year i was wondering what the speed limits were and how much the on the spot fines were and if they go up depending on your speed. any other info would be great as well. thanks. Last time I was there: 83 mph Motorways 66 mph dual carriageways 56 mph single carriageways Don't know about the fines and hope not to find out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racinggreen Posted May 21, 2011 Share Posted May 21, 2011 Driven in France many times. Speedlimits are Km/H. Never had any encounter with the police on the roads and drivng in France is much more pleasant than the UK due to less vehicles on the road. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HaydnH Posted May 21, 2011 Share Posted May 21, 2011 They drive on the right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted May 21, 2011 Share Posted May 21, 2011 Do not speed anywhere, they can fine you 750EU on the spot and take your licence away. /VOE Remember the speed limit drops when it's wet, and that means if it's even a fraction damp on the road nt just if it's physically raining. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter10 Posted May 21, 2011 Share Posted May 21, 2011 "All cars in France will be required to carry a warning triangle and high visibility jacket which must be used in the event of breakdown. Both the jacket and triangle have to conform to EU standards, and the jacket has to be worn by the driver when they exit the car while the triangle has to be placed at least 30 metres from the vehicle. Failure to have a triangle or jacket in your car will mean a fine of €90 for each offence." An easy one that you can get caught out on easily. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big.h Posted May 21, 2011 Author Share Posted May 21, 2011 I thought the fines for speeding increased the faster you were going? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southernspeed Posted May 25, 2011 Share Posted May 25, 2011 I've done a lot of motorcycling and driving in France. The police are usually ok if you're 'around' the speed limit but be warned , if you go over a certain speed on the motorways, which is equivalent to 113mph if I remember correctly, they will prohibit you from driving for the rest of your stay plus hit you with a hefty fine. If there is no one else in the car who is insured and licensed to drive they will impound your car, charging you a huge fee, until you can get someone to collect it! They are also very strict on the lower speed limits through towns so when it says 50 or even 30 km/h, stick to it and everyone will be happy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vern Posted May 25, 2011 Share Posted May 25, 2011 I've been to Le Mans three times and never had a problem with the French Rozzers. I've heard a few stories about them being heavy handed with the Brits. EVO magazine had to fly out another journo when one of theirs got caught speeding and had his Merc impounded and licence revoked for 30 days. It was the only way to get the car back. If it's a dry day and you are on the motorway with the cruise control at 85mph ish, then they won't bother you. There are enough loons blasting along at well over 100mph for them not to worry about you. Take a colour photo copy of your licence though, just in case and if you do get caught, be prepared to get escorted to the local cash point to provide them with some 1664 beer tokens!! Don't forget to sort the warning triangle, hi-vis, spare bulbs and headlight deflectors. I got all mine from Amazon and it's was nearly half the price of Halfrauds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big.h Posted May 25, 2011 Author Share Posted May 25, 2011 Thanks for all the info guys. Not planning on driving like a nutter. Always best to know the rules though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
370nel Posted May 26, 2011 Share Posted May 26, 2011 I,m planning to drive to france also, south coast in July. So have the same concerns about the speed limits. I,m no nutter ,, but worry more about ignorence of the french roads. Good luck anyway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ricey Posted May 26, 2011 Share Posted May 26, 2011 I can only echo what everyone else has said - take it stead and your fine..........the roads out there are sooooooo much nicer to drive on because of the volume of traffic. Plus with the rolling countryside you'll be in a perfect mood to just cruise along. We drove 1700 miles round Europe.........the only place we saw a single cop car was when we were in the UK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob d Posted May 28, 2011 Share Posted May 28, 2011 as noted, due to the complete lack of traffic the distance you can cover in a day with hitting warp speed is surprising. You may cruise at a ton in the UK but you simply cant sustain it. 'Over There' you cruise at 90 and you dont stop untill you want to. There fore you really do cover 90 miles in an hour..... It makes silly drives really achievable Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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