Junction with priority to the right
Intersection avec priorité à droite (AB1)
A junction ahead where you must give way to traffic coming from your right.
What to do: Slow down and be ready to let traffic from the right go first.
Priority and junctions
Priority road
Route prioritaire (AB6)
You are on a priority road. Traffic from side roads must give way to you at every junction.
What to do: Carry on with care. Priority lasts until the same sign crossed by a black bar.
End of priority road
Fin de route prioritaire (AB7)
End of the priority road.
What to do: Slow down at the next junctions. Priority to the right applies again unless other signs say otherwise.
Give way
Cédez le passage (AB3a)
Give way to traffic on the road you are joining. You do not have to stop if the way is clear.
What to do: Slow down, stop if needed and go when the way is clear.
Stop
Stop (AB4)
Stop at the line, then give way.
What to do: Come to a complete stop at the line even if the road is clear, then give way.
Roundabout ahead
Carrefour à sens giratoire (AB25)
Roundabout ahead. Where the entry has give-way signs, traffic already on the roundabout has priority.
What to do: Slow down, give way to traffic on the roundabout and go round anticlockwise.
No entry
Sens interdit (B1)
No entry for any vehicle.
What to do: Do not drive in. Find another route.
Priority at the next junction
Intersection avec une route non prioritaire (AB2)
At the next junction, traffic from the side road must give way to you.
What to do: You have priority at this junction only. Watch for drivers who pull out.
Speed and cameras
Town entry
Entrée d'agglomération (EB10)
Start of a built-up area. The 50 km/h limit applies from here unless signs show otherwise.
What to do: Be at 50 km/h or less when you pass the sign.
Town exit
Sortie d'agglomération (EB20)
End of the built-up area and of the 50 km/h urban limit.
What to do: Keep to the limit for the type of road, usually 80 km/h on two-way roads.
Speed limit
Limitation de vitesse (B14)
Maximum speed in km/h.
What to do: Keep to the limit shown.
Automatic speed checks ahead
Pour votre sécurité contrôles automatiques (SR3)
Fixed automatic speed cameras ahead.
What to do: Check your speed now and keep to the limit.
Speed camera ahead
Panneau radar (version since 2017)
A fixed speed camera ahead, and the limit it enforces.
What to do: Keep to the speed shown.
30 km/h zone
Zone 30 (B30)
Entry to a zone where the limit is 30 km/h on every street until an exit sign.
What to do: Keep to 30 km/h throughout the zone.
Motorways and overtaking
Motorway
Autoroute (C207)
Start of an autoroute. The limit is 130 km/h, or 110 km/h in rain, unless signs show otherwise.
What to do: Keep to the right-hand lane except when overtaking.
End of motorway
Fin d'autoroute (C208)
End of the autoroute.
What to do: Watch for the new speed limit.
Expressway
Route à accès réglementé (C107)
Start of a restricted-access road.
What to do: Follow the signposted limit. Divided roads are usually 110 km/h, or 100 km/h in rain.
End of expressway
Fin de route à accès réglementé (C108)
End of the restricted-access road.
What to do: Watch for the new speed limit.
Zones and parking
No parking
Stationnement interdit (B6a1)
No parking.
What to do: Do not park here.
No stopping or parking
Arrêt et stationnement interdits (B6d)
No stopping or parking.
What to do: Do not stop here, even briefly.
Other signs
Reserved lane in use
Losange blanc (voie réservée)
The lane is reserved for vehicles carrying at least two people, buses, coaches, taxis and some others. Used on the Paris périphérique.
What to do: Stay out of the lane while the diamond is lit unless you carry at least one passenger.
Snow chains compulsory
Chaînes à neige obligatoires (B26)
Snow chains must be fitted on at least two driving wheels, even with winter tyres.
What to do: Fit chains before going on. The rule lasts until the end sign.
End of snow chain requirement
Fin d'obligation des chaînes à neige (B44)
Snow chains are no longer compulsory.
What to do: You may remove the chains when it is safe.
Words on the signs
| On the sign | Means |
|---|---|
| Agglomération | Built-up area, where 50 km/h applies It starts at the town name sign. |
| Route à accès réglementé | Restricted-access road (expressway) |
| Cédez le passage | Give way |
| Priorité à droite | Priority to the right |
| Carrefour à sens giratoire | Roundabout |
| Sens interdit | No entry |
| Zone 30 | Zone with a 30 km/h limit |
| Radar | Speed or traffic camera |
| Radar tronçon | Average speed camera section |
| Contrôles automatiques | Automatic camera checks Text on older camera warning signs. |
| Contrôles radars fréquents | Frequent radar checks Text on older camera warning signs. |
| Zone à faibles émissions (ZFE-m) | Low emission zone |
| Zone à trafic limité (ZTL) | Limited traffic zone Used in central Paris. |
| Voie réservée | Reserved lane On the Paris périphérique it is for vehicles with at least two people when the white diamond is lit. |
| Chaînes à neige | Snow chains |
Drawings follow the official designs described by France's road authorities. Real signs vary a little in size and lettering. The full guide to driving in France