General Information

About roads, speed limits, mandatory car equipment, and some traffic rule requirements. In the sections below, you can read more details about toll roads, the cost of petrol, parking, speed limits, etc.

road tolls based on the distance traveled at special control points
within populated areas – 50 km/h
outside populated areas – 80 km/h
road – 110 km/h
highway – 130 km/h

dipped headlights are mandatory
maximum alcohol level 0.5 ‰
talking on the phone while driving is prohibited
winter tires are not mandatory,
chains may be required on certain mountain passes,
studded tires are allowed from the last Saturday before November 11 to the last Sunday in March

mandatory equipment:
  • emergency stop sign,
  • reflective vest,
  • breathalyzer
seat belts are mandatory for all passengers
child seats/boosters are mandatory for children up to 10 years old and up to 150 cm tall

Toll Roads

In France, there is a toll for using motorways depending on the vehicle category and the distance traveled. Toll fees also apply to certain bridges and tunnels.

Category Vehicle
CLASS 1Car up to 2 meters high and weighing up to 3.5 tons with or without a trailer
CLASS 2Car between 2 and 3 meters high and weighing up to 3.5 tons with or without a trailer
CLASS 3Car over 3 meters high and weighing more than 3.5 tons
CLASS 4Vehicle with more than 2 axles, over 3 meters high, and weighing more than 3.5 tons
CLASS 5Motorcycle, motorcycle with a sidecar

More information about vehicle categories can be found at: https://www.autoroutes.fr/en/vehicle-classification.htm

Toll Rates on Highways

The toll system on highways in France is managed by several companies distributed across different regions. The toll amount is always displayed on the board when entering the toll section. Payment can be made in cash, by credit card, or through remote payment systems.

Direction CLASS 1 CLASS 2 CLASS 3 CLASS 4 CLASS 5
A7/ A8Lyon / Marseille - Aix26,90 €44,00 €57,70 €78,60 €16,40 €
A7/ A9Lyon / Montpellier30,30 €47,40 €65,00 €86,10 €17,90 €
A7/ A9Lyon / Espagne (Perthus)50,00 €78,50 €111,80 €144,20 €29,90 €
A54/ A7/ A8Arles / Marseille - Aix4,80 €7,20 €10,60 €14,10 €2,80 €
A9Montpellier / Espagne (Perthus)20,60 €31,70 €46,00 €56,80 €11,70 €
A9/ A61Montpellier / Toulouse sud-ouest26,00 €39,10 €57,80 €70,40 €14,90 €
A9Montpellier / Narbonne-est9,20 €14,20 €20,70 €26,10 €5,40 €
A8Aix / Nice20,20 €30,30 €43,30 €60,80 €12,40 €
A51Aix / Gap (La Saulce)14,40 €19,70 €28,80 €41,00 €8,20 €
A89Bordeaux / Clermont-Ferrand41,50 €62,80 €90,40 €128,80 €25,40 €
A89Bordeaux / Lyon (La Tour de Salvagny)57,80 €88,00 €127,20 €178,50 €35,00 €
A62/ A61/ A9/ A54/ A7Bordeaux / Marseille59,20 €91,30 €132,90 €168,60 €35,60 €
A10Paris (La Folie-Bessin) / Orléans-nord10,90 €16,50 €25,90 €35,40 €6,40 €
A10Paris (La Folie-Bessin) / Tours-centre25,30 €38,90 €63,30 €78,40 €15,50 €
A10Paris (La Folie-Bessin) / Poitiers-sud39,10 €59,20 €95,70 €122,30 €24,00 €
A10Paris (La Folie-Bessin) - Bordeaux (Virsac)59,10 €90,70 €139,70 €180,00 €36,40 €
A10Tours Centre (Sorigny) Bordeaux (Virsac)33,80 €51,80 €76,40 €101,60 €20,90 €
A28Tours (Saint-Christophe) / Alençon-sud13,80 €21,40 €35,30 €41,30 €8,60 €
A10/ A71Paris (La Folie-Bessin) / Bourges23,80 €38,50 €62,80 €80,90 €15,40 €
A11Paris (La Folie-Bessin) / Le Mans-nord20,40 €31,10 €48,60 €69,50 €12,80 €
A11/ A81Paris (La Folie-Bessin) / La Gravelle (Vitré)31,20 €48,20 €72,70 €104,90 €20,60 €
A11Paris (La Folie-Bessin) / Angers (Corzé)31,70 €48,80 €74,90 €97,00 €19,30 €
A11Paris (La Folie-Bessin) / Nantes41,50 €64,30 €98,80 €128,90 €25,20 €
A83/ A10Nantes / Bordeaux32,00 €48,90 €68,20 €88,50 €19,20 €
A11Nantes / Angers9,80 €15,50 €23,90 €31,90 €5,90 €
A85Angers / Tours11,70 €17,20 €25,40 €34,40 €7,00 €
A11/ A85Nantes / Vierzon-nord34,30 €53,60 €81,80 €107,90 €20,90 €
A62Toulouse nord-est / Bordeaux21,70 €34,30 €49,90 €63,70 €13,50 €
A62/ A61/A9Bordeaux / Toulouse / Montpellier48,30 €74,30 €109,10 €135,90 €28,80 €
A61/ A9Toulouse sud-est / Espagne (Perthus)25,80 €39,60 €53,20 €72,10 €15,60 €

You can calculate the fare of the entire route in more detail on the portal:
https://www.autoroutes.fr/index.htm?lang= en

Plots with special payment
Tunnels

Mont Blanc tunnel

The tunnel is located under the Mont Blanc mountain between Italy and France. Payment for passage through the tunnel is made at the entrance. Tunnel on Google Maps

Type of vehicleOne-way tripRound trip10 trips< /td>20 passes
Class 5 - Motorcycles €31.20€39.10€97.80€137.00
Class 1 - Vehicle with two or more axles with a height from the front axle of less than 1.3 meters and an overall height of less than 2 meters< /td>€ 47.10€ 58.80€ 146.90€ 205.70
Class 2 – Vehicle with with two or more axes, the total height exceeds 2 meters and is less than or equal to 3 meters€ 62.30€ 78.30€ 195.80< /td>€ 274.10
Class 3 - Vehicle with two axles with a total height of more than 3 meters€ 171.00€ 266.10

Current prices for travel through the Mont Blanc tunnel can be viewed on the website: https://www.tunnelmb.net/en- US/plan-and-calculate-transit

The minimum speed is 50 km/h
The maximum speed is 70 km/h
The minimum distance between vehicles is 150 m. (two blue lights are located every 150 m in order to navigate the distance in the tunnel)
You can listen to current information in the tunnel on FM radio on frequencies: 103.3 and 107.7
Tunnel Safety Rules (in English)< /a>

Frejus Tunnel

The Frejus Tunnel is located between Bardonecchia in Italy and Modane in France. Payment for passage through the tunnel is made at the entrance. Tunnel on Google Maps

 Vehicle typeOne wayRound trip within 7 days8 trips
Motorcycles€ 30.70€ 38.50€ 91.40
A vehicle with two or more axles with a height from the front axle of less than 1.3 meters and an overall height of less than 2 meters € 46.30€ 57.80€ 139.80
A vehicle with two or more axles, overall height exceeding 2 meters and less than or equal to 3 meters € 61.30€ 77€ 183.10

Tunnel fares (in French) PDF< br> Website of the tunnel operator: http://www.sftrf.fr

Puymorens tunnel

The Puymorens tunnel is part of the international highway E9 between Toulouse (France) and Barcelona (Spain) and has a length of 4,820 m.
Tunnel on Google Maps

Puymorens Tunnel
Type of vehicleTariff
Class 5€4.5
Class 1€7.5
Class 2 €15.5
Class 3€25.3

Website of the tunnel operator: https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/< /a>

Maurice-Lemaire tunnel

The Maurice-Lemaire tunnel is part of the regional road N159 connecting Nancy in France and Freiburg in Germany. The Maurice-Lemaire tunnel has a length of 6,872 m.
Tunnel on Google Maps

Maurice-Lemaire Tunnel
Type of vehicleTariff
Class 5€3.9
Class 16.6 €
Class 2 €10.3
Class 3€28.3

Website of the tunnel operator: https://voyage.aprr.fr/ File with tariffs, which cannot be found on the site, only through Google: https ://voyage.aprr.fr/sites/default/files/2023-02/tarifs_tml_2023.pdf

Tunnels in Marseille Prado-Carénage and Prado-Sud

The Prado-Carénage tunnel in Marseille connects the port with the city center. The Prado-Carénage tunnel is 2.455 meters long.

In November 2013, the second Prado-Sud toll tunnel was opened in Marseille. It is 1,500 m long and connects coastal areas with the A50 highway.

Tunnels in Marseille Prado-Carénage and Prado-Sud

Passage through these tunnels is allowed only for passenger cars, minibuses and vans with a height of no more than 3.2 m and a total weight of up to 3.5 tons. The maximum speed is limited to 60 km/h.

Tunnels in Marseille Prado-Carénage and Prado-Sud - scheme
Tunnels on the city plan.

TunnelTariff
Carénage€3.20
Sud€2.60
Carénage & Sud5.80 €

Tunnel operator website with tariffs: https://www.tunnelsprado.com/tarifs

Eurotunnel

The cost of traveling through the tunnel depends on the type of vehicle, the time of day, and how far in advance you purchase your ticket.
There are various types of tickets, which depend on the possibility of ticket refund and the duration of stay on the other side of the tunnel.

Eurotunnel

Types of Tickets for Eurotunnel Crossing

Ticket TypeConditionsFare
Short Stay Saverup to 5 days stay~100 € (87 GBP)
Standardfrom 126 € (109 GBP)
Standard Refundablewith refund optionfrom 172 € (149 GBP)
Short Stay Flexiplusup to 5 days stay, travel at any time of the planned journeyfrom 242 € (209 GBP)
Flexiplusfull flexibilityfrom 311 € (269 GBP)

Examples of Standard Ticket Prices for Eurotunnel Crossing

Time of Ticket PurchaseFare
For today208 €
Next week, night or early morning travel138-156 €
Next week, daytime travel168 €

Car transportation is done in special shuttles. They are absolutely unique, specially designed to take you through the tunnels to the UK or France in just 35 minutes, regardless of the vehicle.

Each passenger shuttle has a locomotive at each end. One half of the shuttle is single-deck, and the other is double-deck. Each shuttle has a "single-deck loader" at each end of the single-deck section and a "double-deck loader" at each end of the double-deck section.

Regular cars usually load onto the double-deck part of the shuttle, so you can drive up the ramp inside the shuttle to reach the upper deck, or you will be directed straight along the shuttle on the lower deck. Higher vehicles, motorhomes, and tourist buses enter directly into the single-deck part of the shuttle.

Most cars can comfortably use the double deck, having free space, and after boarding, you can freely exit the car and stretch your legs.

Follow the signs at the terminal for boarding: Medium & Small

Eurotunnel Loading Terminal Entry Signs

Details about the fares are available on the Eurotunnel website: https://www.eurotunnel.com/uk/tickets-and-fares/
Tickets can be purchased on the Eurotunnel website: https://www.eurotunnel.com/book/YourJourney/(0)

Tunnel on Highway A86 around Paris

On the A86 highway, which is a circular road around Paris, there is a toll tunnel. Its length is approximately 10.5 km.

Duplex A86 is an innovative 10-kilometer tunnel consisting of two levels stacked on top of each other, one in each direction. Reserved for cars, it connects Rueil-Malmaison to Vélizy through Vaucresson in just 10 minutes. Tunnel on Google Maps

Fares range from €1.6 at night to €11.9 during peak hours. Details about the fares are available on the tunnel operator's website: https://www.vinci-autoroutes.com/fr/aires-et-services/duplex-a86/

Caluire Tunnel in Lyon

The Caluire Tunnel is part of the toll complex Périphérique Nord, which includes 4 tunnels with a total length of 6.5 km, 2 viaducts, and 2 toll stations. It connects the A6 motorway (Paris – Marseille) with the A42 (Geneva) and A43 (Grenoble – Chambéry) motorways.
Tunnel on Google Maps

Caluire Tunnel in Lyon
Vehicle TypeFare
Class 51.20 €
Class 12.40 €
Class 23.60 €
Class 34.20 €

Website with fares: https://www.peripheriquenord.com/produits/tarif-au-passage/

Sections with Special Fees
Bridges

Millau Viaduct

The Millau Viaduct is a cable-stayed bridge that spans the Tarn River valley near the town of Millau in southern France (Aveyron department). The bridge's length is 2,460 m, and the height of the roadway at its highest point reaches 270 m above the river. Viaduct on Google Maps

Millau Viaduct - France
Vehicle TypeFare
Class 56.00 €
Class 112.50 €
Class 218.60 €
Class 333.80 €

There is only one toll booth for both directions, located 4 km north of the viaduct, with 18 lanes (9 in each direction). Payment can be made in cash and by credit cards.

Website with fares: https://www.leviaducdemillau.com/home/tarifs-du-peage.html

Normandy Bridge

The Normandy Bridge spans the estuary of the Seine River, connecting Le Havre and Honfleur. The bridge's length is 2,143 m. Bridge on Google Maps

Normandy Bridge
Vehicle TypeFare
Class 5Free
Class 15.80 €
Class 26.70 €
Class 37.30 €

Website with fares: https://www.pontsnormandietancarville.fr/les-tarifs/

Tancarville Bridge

The Tancarville Bridge spans the Seine River, connecting Tancarville and Marais-Vernier. The bridge's length is 1,420 m. Bridge on Google Maps

Tancarville Bridge
Vehicle TypeFare
Class 5Free
Class 12.70 €
Class 23.40 €
Class 34.10 €

Website with fares: https://www.pontsnormandietancarville.fr/les-tarifs/

Île de Ré Bridge

The Île de Ré Bridge connects the mainland with Île de Ré in western France. The bridge's length is 2,927 m, and its height above sea level is 42 m. Bridge on Google Maps

Vehicle TypeFareFare from June 20 to September 11
Class 53 €
Class 116 €8 €
Class 216 €8 €
Class 318 €

The toll booth is located on the mainland, 200 m from the bridge, and has 8 lanes. Payment can be made in cash, by credit cards, and using remote payment systems. The ticket price includes round-trip bridge passage.

Website with fares: https://la.charente-maritime.fr/routes-transports/tarifs-pont-re/tarif-general

Speed Limits

Speed limits in France

Standard speed limits in France (unless otherwise indicated on signs).

Cars, motorcycles:
  • In built-up areas – 50 km/h
  • Outside built-up areas – 80 km/h
  • On non-urban roads – 110 km/h
  • On motorways – 130 km/h
Cars with trailers:
  • In built-up areas – 50 km/h
  • Outside built-up areas – 80 km/h
  • On non-urban roads – 100 km/h
  • On motorways – 100 km/h

Minimum allowed speed on motorways – 60 km/h

In rainy weather, speed limits are 70 km/h outside built-up areas, 100 km/h on non-urban roads, and 110 km/h on motorways.

Dipped Headlights

Dipped headlights are not mandatory during daylight hours. They must be turned on in conditions of reduced visibility.
When driving through tunnels, dipped headlights must be turned on.
It is recommended to use dipped headlights for all-wheel-drive vehicles continuously.

Petrol Prices in France

А-95 € 1.686
Diesel € 1.596
LPG € 1.015

Parking in France

A general rule for the country is not to stop near curbs painted in yellow. If the yellow line is broken, stopping is allowed, but parking is prohibited. Parking should be on the right side of the street unless otherwise indicated by road signs.

Parking for more than 24 hours in the same place is prohibited (unless it's a long-term parking lot). Parking meters are widely used in France.

Entry into the Center of Paris

To enter the center of Paris, you need to obtain an air quality certificate.
Price for the air quality certificate: €3.11 + €1.50 shipping cost outside France (total of €4.61 for one vehicle)
You can buy the certificate on the official website: https://www.certificat-air.gouv.fr/

Parking in Paris

Parking in Paris

Parking on the streets is required to be paid from Monday to Saturday from 9 am to 8 pm. Parking on the streets is free at night, on Sundays, and on national holidays.
Paris has 2 parking zones: in the city center (districts 1-11), where you need to pay €6 per hour, and the rest of the districts (12-20) — €4 per hour. Payment can be made in 15-minute intervals.
It is important to remember that the parking duration is limited to 6 hours. This means that after 6 hours, you need to return to your car and change the parking ticket.

Payment for parking can be made at parking meters using:

  • Chip credit cards
  • Prepaid cards
  • Paris Carte cards, which can be purchased at tobacconist shops and kiosks, but new parking meters do not accept such cards.
To distinguish a new parking meter from an old one:
New parking meters allow payment with a "contactless" credit card and are shorter than previous models (accessible for people with reduced mobility).

Interactive parking meter map: https://capgeo.sig.paris.fr/Apps/Parc_horodateurs/

You can also pay using mobile apps:

Parking meters and apps are available at any time, including outside the payment period, so you can pay your fee in advance. Example: a payment made on Sunday will actually be valid for the first time interval of payment on the following Monday.

When paying (at the parking meter or through the mobile app), the entered registration number must exactly match the vehicle registration certificate number, under penalty of the After-Parking Package. Control is carried out by consulting the database where the payments made are recorded.

City of Paris website, parking section (in French): https://www.paris.fr/pages/payer-son-stationnement-2129

Free Parking outside Paris and Access to Paris by Public Transport

Depending on how long you plan to stay in Paris, parking outside the city and using public transport can be the cheapest option.

On Ile-de-France Mobilité (website in French), you can find a list of all the nearest car parks near train stations and RER stations.

Rates are more affordable than in the center of Paris, and even free for Navigo Pass owners.
A trip from the suburbs of Paris to the city center (Shuttle) usually takes from 15 to 30 minutes by public transport.

Parking in Nice

Parking in Nice

Free Street Parking in Nice
To find free street parking, you need to leave the city center. The closest to the Old Town is the streets leading to Mont Boron, from there you can return to the center by bus #33, which runs every 20 minutes. Another option is Cimiez hill, from where bus #5 will take you back down.

Street Parking in the City Center
Since 2021, there are 30 minutes of free parking on the street in the city during the week, 1 hour of free street parking on Saturdays, and street parking is always free in the evening and on Sundays.
From 9:00 am to 8:00 pm from Monday to Saturday, you will need a small ticket from the parking meter, which must be placed on the windshield.
If you plan to stay longer than the free 30 minutes, you can pay with coins, cards, and also using your smartphone with PayByPhone or on the website www.paybyphone.fr

After the end of the free period, the fee starts to increase rapidly, but the maximum amount is only €2.60 for a maximum of 2 hours and 15 minutes or only €1 on Saturdays.

If you stay more than 2 hours and 15 minutes, you will be charged a fixed "after-parking fee" of €16, and you will receive another charge for every 2 hours and 15 minutes.

Website with parking information in Nice where 1 hour of parking is free: /www.niceazurparking.fr

P+R - Park + Ride Parking

The most advantageous option is to leave your car in P+R (Park and Ride) parking and then travel around the city by public transport.

Public Transport TripsRate
Round Trip€3.40
1 Day€7
2 Days€13
7 Days€20

Access Conditions to Parcazur
Your journey must be at least round trip. Parking is limited to the current day, so it is prohibited during non-working hours.
First ticket validation: maximum within 2 hours and 30 minutes after entering the parking lot.
Second check: at the stop, different from the boarding one near P+R.

Be sure to check the operating hours of the parking lot, not all are open 24/7, so it may be problematic to leave at night (website in French): https://www.lignesdazur.com/en/parc-relais

Insurance

For traveling abroad, a Green Card insurance policy is mandatory. Policies are valid for 15 days, 1 month, 2 months, etc. monthly up to 1 year.
We also recommend having a medical insurance policy insurance abroad.
And to drive on the territory of Ukraine, you need to have a valid motor vehicle policy.

Calculation of insurance cost

Green Card Price:
1002 UAH

Policy order

To order, please fill out the form below.


You can check the validity of the Green Card policy through the service of the Motor and Transport Bureau of Ukraine:
Checking the validity of the policy Green card

Mandatory Equipment

Equipment that must be in the car:
Emergency stop sign
Reflective vest – a reflective vest is mandatory for anyone exiting the vehicle.
Breathalyzer (no fine for its absence)

Winter Tires, Studded Tires, Chains

Winter tires are not mandatory.
Using chains may be necessary in certain cases on mountain passes.
Studded tires can be used from the last Saturday before November 11th until the last Sunday in March. This period may be extended in case of inclement weather.