Drivers planning to visit France should prepare their car to comply with French motoring laws (Image: Getty) As I recently found out for myself on a recent trip, driving in France can be an incredibly enjoyable experience. However, motorists must still take the effort to understand local motoring laws . Here are my tips to help tourists travelling across the channel to stay safe and avoid trouble with the Gendarmerie.
READ MORE: I drove a sporty electric convertible that is powerful but has an annoying quirk Drivers should keep a close eye out for speed limit signs, which are less common than in the UK (Image: Getty) Be prepared Before so much as setting off for the ferry, drivers will need to make sure they are prepared for different driving situations by packing (or in some cases fitting) a number of items. In addition to documentation such as a full driving licence and proof of insurance, drivers should pack a hi-visibility jacket for each person travelling in the vehicle, a warning triangle to display if the car breaks down, a first-aid kit to deal with any minor accidents and headlamp deflectors , which change the angle of the lights to suit driving on the right. Motorists planning on visiting a number of major cities in the country, including Paris, Marseille and Reims, will also need to buy an attach a 'Crit'Air' sticker to their vehicle's windscreen.
This sticker identifies the emissions class of the vehicle and could lead to a €135 (£114) fine if it is not in plac.