To help, here are some tips on how to ensure you stay on the right side of the law when driving on French roads.
* In France, you drive on the right hand side of the road. It's often easy to forget this when you pull out from a roadside restaurant or service station on a country road. Have someone to remind you to Keep Right at times like this.
* You'll need to carry a breathalyser kit, with two disposable breathalysers. It must meet the NF standards and carry an NF certification. The French government have indefinitely canned the fine for non compliance but you still have to have one.
* The drink drive limit in France is 50mg per 100ml of blood. If you are driving, don't drink, and beware the morning after effect.
* On-the-spot fines or 'deposits' in France are severe. Always ask for an official receipt. Vehicles parking contrary to regulations may be towed away and impounded, which should prove very costly to your holiday fund.
* Holders of EU driving licenses exceeding the speed limit by more than 40km/h will have their licences confiscated on the spot by the police.
* You must, by law, carry a warning triangle, reflective jacket, and convert your headlamps when driving in France. It is recommended that you carry spare light bulbs if you can fit them easily.
* Driving on the right hand side of the road on unknown routes can be rather daunting. Take regular breaks, and always have a rest if you are getting tired.
* A child sitting in the front passenger seat must be at least 10 years old (or a baby up to 9 months in a rear-facing child seat).
* Remember the speed limits in France are different to ours and unlike here, they change when it rains, so make sure you know them before you go.
* Like here, radar speed camera detectors are illegal in France - whether or not you are using them. This legislation includes sat nav systems which show speed camera information.
* Many 'N' main roads and local authority 'D' and 'C' roads and a village name sign with a red border all signify the start of a 50km/h speed limit that continues until you pass the village name sign with a red bar across it and a black border signifying the village boundary and end of the speed limit.
* Always exit on the right side so you don't revert to driving on the left.
* Take all the relevant documentation with you. It's a good idea to have European Breakdown Cover so you'll never be left stranded should your car break down.
