British, Australian, Canadian, New Zealand and US driving licences are valid in France, though an International Driver's Licence makes life easier. If the vehicle is rented, its registration document (carte grise) and the insurance papers must be carried. GB or other national identifying stickers are, by law, meant to be displayed. The French drive on the right and If your car is right-hand drive, you must have your headlight dip adjusted to the right before you go – it's a legal requirement – and as a courtesy change or paint them to yellow or stick on black glare deflectors. Remember also that you have to be 18 years of age to drive in France, regardless of whether you hold a licence in your own country.The law of priorité à droite – giving way to traffic coming from your right, even when it is coming from a minor road – is being phased out as it's a major cause of accidents. However, it still applies on some roads in built-up areas and the occasional roundabout, so it pays to be vigilant at junctions. A sign showing a yellow diamond on a white background indicates that you have right of way, while the same sign with an oblique black slash warns you that vehicles emerging from the right have priority. Stop signs mean stop completely; Cédez le passage means "Give way". Other signs warning of potential dangers are déviation (diversion), gravillons (loose chippings), boue (mud) and chaussée déformée (uneven surface). There are increasingly stiff penalties for driving violations, which can mean fines of up to €4500 in the most serious cases. The fine for exceeding the speed limit by 1–40kph (1–25mph), for example, is €90 if you pay within three days; anything above 40kph you will not only be fined but also have to go to court. Unless otherwise indicated speed limits are: 130kph (80mph) on autoroutes; 110kph (68mph) on dual carriageways; 90kph (55mph) on other roads; and 50kph (31mph) in towns. In wet weather, and for drivers with less than two years' experience, these limits are 110kph (68mph), 100kph (62mph), 80kph (50mph) and 50kph (31mph) respectively. The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.05 percent (0.5 grams per litre), and random breath tests are becoming increasingly common.
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