Published on: November 08, 2024 | By: @rprasanth_kumar
General Speed Limits
The following speed limits are applicable in France, except when altered by the local traffic authority based on specific situations like construction, maintenance, accidents, etc.
| Road Type | General Rule (or Young Driver with Probationary License) |
| Highway (autoroute) | 130 km/h (or 110 km/h) |
| Two-way road separated by a central barrier | 110 km/h (or 100 km/h) |
| Roads with at least 2 lanes in the same direction | 90 km/h (or 80 km/h) |
| Two-way road without a central barrier | 80 km/h |
| Urban area (inside Villages, Towns & Cities) | 50 km/h |
| Recent Exceptions (Paris, Nantes, Grenoble, Lille, etc) | 30 km/h on most roads inside the city |
During Rain or other precipitation (snow, hail)
The following speed limits are applicable in France during rainy season. Based on specific situations, the local traffic authority can reduce the speeds whenever required.
| Road Type | Speed Limit |
| Highway (autoroute) | 110 km/h |
| Roads in 2 directions separated by a central barrier | 100 km/h |
| Roads with at least 2 lanes in the same direction | 80 km/h |
| Two-way road, without a central separator | 80 km/h |
| Urban area (inside Villages, Towns & Cities) | 50 km/h |
| Recent Exceptions (Paris, Nantes, Grenoble, Lille, etc) | 30 km/h on most roads inside the city |
Foggy weather with visibility less than 50 metres
Based on specific situations, the local traffic authority can reduce the speeds whenever required.
| Road Type | Speed Limit |
| Highway (autoroute) | 50 km/h |
| Roads in 2 directions separated by a central barrier | |
| Roads with at least 2 lanes in the same direction | |
| Two-way road, without a central separator | |
| Urban area (inside Villages, Towns & Cities) | |
| Recent Exceptions (Paris, Nantes, Grenoble, Lille, etc) | 30 km/h on most roads inside the city |
Overspeeding Fine and Points Deduction
Based on the type of road and the amount of excess speed, the following penalties and points deduction from the driving license are applicable.
| Speeding Violation | Fine & Points Deducted |
| Case A: Inside City Limits | |
| Less than 5 km/h over the limit | 135€ only |
| 5 km/h to 19 km/h over the limit | 135€ and 1 point lost |
| Case B: Outside City limits | |
| Less than 5 km/h over the limit | 68€ only |
| 5 km/h to 19 km/h over the limit | 68€ and 1 point lost |
| Case C: Inside or Outside City Limits | |
| 20 km/h to 29 km/h over the limit | 135€ and 2 points lost |
| 30 km/h to 39 km/h over the limit | 135€ and 3 points lost |
| 40 km/h to 49 km/h over the limit | 135€ and 4 points lost |
| 50 km/h or more over the limit | Up to 1,500€ and 6 points lost |
Note: If you exceed 30 km/h or more, you may be subject to other penalties: compulsory awareness training, suspension of the license for up to 3 years, and confiscation of the vehicle.
