Some Quick Tips and Reminders

• Drive on the right in France.

• It's compulsory to wear a seat belt.

• It is compulsory for all children up to 10 years to travel in the back seat of a car and wear a seat belt or be strapped into a proper child seat. Only adults and children from 10 years may sit in the front passenger seat.

• Mobile cellular telephones may not be used while driving unless you are using a "handsfree" system.

• It's compulsory to carry your driving licence, car registration papers and insurance documents. (Photocopies of these documents can be endorsed at your local Mairie).

• EU driving licences or International Driving Licences are accepted for driving in France.

• If you have residency status in France, and do not carry an EU or EEA driving licence you must exchange you licence for a French one within one year of receiving your residency permit.

• If your licence is lost or stolen, report it to the Police Station closest to where it disappeared. The Police will give you a receipt, which is a temporary permit valid for 2 months.

• If your registration papers are stolen, go to the police for a certificate, which you take, along with proof of ID, proof of residence and the technical certificate to apply for a replacement.

• If you're in a car accident: call the police on 17 who will call an ambulance if you say one is needed. All those involved must fill in an accident report form (constat à l'amiable) and swap insurance details (always keep the blue constat à l'amiable in your car).

• Driving with lights on by day is optional. (An experimental recommendation exists to monitor if the road accident rate is reduced). It only applies to driving outside built-up areas.