On this page
- Find the speed limit
- French speed limits for cars
- 80 or 90 km/h on country roads?
- Towns and villages
- Lower limits for new drivers
- Towing a caravan or trailer, and motorhomes
- Vans and motorhomes
- How much over the limit can you go?
- How strict is France on speeding?
- Minimum speed on autoroutes
- Speeding fines
- km/h to mph
- FAQs
French speed limits for cars are 130 km/h (81 mph) on autoroutes, 110 km/h (68 mph) on dual carriageways, 80 km/h (50 mph) on ordinary roads, or 90 km/h where signs say so, and 50 km/h (31 mph) in towns. In rain the autoroute and dual carriageway limits drop to 110 and 100 km/h, and in fog with visibility under 50 metres the limit is 50 km/h on every road. Signs always take priority.
Find the speed limit
From Service-Public and the Code de la route, checked 9 October 2026. Signs always take priority.
French speed limits for cars
| Road | Dry | Rain | Probationary licence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autoroute | 130 km/h (81 mph) | 110 km/h (68 mph) | 110 km/h, or 100 where the limit is under 130 |
| Dual carriageway with a central reservation | 110 km/h (68 mph) | 100 km/h (62 mph) | 100 km/h |
| Road with two or more lanes in your direction | 90 km/h (56 mph) | 80 km/h (50 mph) | 80 km/h |
| Two-way road with no central separation | 80 km/h (50 mph), or 90 where signed | 80 km/h, or 90 where signed | 80 km/h |
| Towns and villages | 50 km/h (31 mph) | 50 km/h | 50 km/h |
With visibility under 50 metres, in fog for example, the limit is 50 km/h on every road. Source: Service-Public, the French government’s official guide.
80 or 90 km/h on country roads?
In 2018 France cut the limit on two-way roads without a central reservation from 90 to 80 km/h. Since then, local authorities have been allowed to put some of their roads back to 90 km/h, so the limit on similar-looking roads can change as you cross from one area to another. The rule for drivers is simple: it’s 80 km/h unless a sign shows 90. Watch for the signs after junctions and village exits, and for the word rappel (reminder) under a speed limit sign, which repeats the limit you’re already under.
The limit doesn’t drop in the rain on these roads: 80 stays 80 and 90 stays 90. Some UK websites say it falls to 70 km/h, but Service-Public’s table shows it doesn’t.
Towns and villages
The 50 km/h limit starts at the town’s name sign, even if there’s no speed limit sign, and ends at the sign with the name crossed out. Many towns set lower limits, such as 30 km/h, on some or all of their streets. These are shown by signs, and you must follow them.
Lower limits for new drivers
Drivers on a French probationary licence, in their first three years, have lower limits: 110 km/h on autoroutes (100 km/h where the limit is lower than 130), 100 km/h on dual carriageways and 80 km/h on other roads outside towns. Service-Public ties these to the French probationary licence and doesn’t say how they apply to visitors who passed their test recently, so if you’ve held your licence for less than three years, keeping to them is the safe choice.
Towing a caravan or trailer, and motorhomes
Under the French Code de la route, a car-and-trailer or car-and-caravan combination whose total authorised weight is over 3.5 tonnes is limited to 90 km/h on autoroutes, whatever the car on its own is allowed. The French government confirmed this in an answer published in the Journal officiel on 27 July 2021. Lower limits can also apply to heavier outfits on other roads, so follow any signs for vehicles over 3.5 tonnes. Outfits of 3.5 tonnes or less follow the car limits. See caravans and motorhomes in France for the full towing rules.
Vans and motorhomes
Vans and motorhomes with a maximum authorised weight of 3.5 tonnes or less, the kind you can drive on a normal car licence, follow the same limits as cars. Heavier vehicles, and outfits over 3.5 tonnes, have lower limits, shown on signs with a weight plate. Check your vehicle’s V5C for its maximum weight: it’s the figure that counts, not how much you’re carrying. See caravans and motorhomes in France for the full rules.
How much over the limit can you go?
None: the limit is the limit. But French cameras do allow a technical margin for measuring error. The French government set it out in an answer published in the Journal officiel on 20 May 2008: 5 km/h where the limit is under 100 km/h, and 5% of the measured speed where the limit is over 100 km/h. So a camera on a 130 km/h autoroute that records 140 km/h treats you as doing 133 km/h, which is still a fine.
Don’t drive to the margin. It covers measuring error, not deliberate speeding, it’s an old official figure, and police with handheld devices and radar cars can still stop you.
How strict is France on speeding?
Stricter than many UK drivers expect. France uses fixed, mobile, average-speed and in-car cameras, small speeding offences carry a €68 or €135 fine with no warning letter first, and camera fines can reach your UK address. At 40 km/h over, the police can take your licence on the spot; at 50 km/h over, it’s a criminal offence.
Minimum speed on autoroutes
In the outside (left-hand) lane of an autoroute you must drive at 80 km/h or more when traffic is flowing and conditions are good. Driving too slowly there is a €35 fine.
Speeding fines
| Over the limit by | Fixed fine | Other penalties |
|---|---|---|
| Less than 20 km/h | €68, or €135 where the limit is 50 km/h or less | 1 point on a French licence (none under 5 km/h) |
| 20 to 29 km/h | €135 | 2 points |
| 30 to 39 km/h | €135 | 3 points; licence suspension of up to 3 years possible |
| 40 to 49 km/h | €135 | 4 points; licence can be retained on the spot for up to 72 hours |
| 50 km/h or more | Criminal offence: up to €3,750 and 3 months in prison | 6 points; the car can be impounded or confiscated |
Points apply only to French licences, not to your UK licence. Speed camera fines can be sent to your UK address. More in speed cameras and fines.
km/h to mph
| km/h | mph (approximately) |
|---|---|
| 30 | 19 |
| 50 | 31 |
| 80 | 50 |
| 90 | 56 |
| 100 | 62 |
| 110 | 68 |
| 130 | 81 |
Many UK cars can show km/h on the dashboard or digital display: look in the settings menu before you go, and switch it over before you leave the port. It’s much easier than converting in your head. On older analogue speedometers, the smaller inner numbers are usually km/h.
French speed limits: every road, in km/h and mph FAQs
What is the speed limit on French motorways?
130 km/h (81 mph) on autoroutes in dry weather, and 110 km/h (68 mph) in rain. Drivers on a French probationary licence are limited to 110 km/h.
What is the speed limit in France when it rains?
110 km/h on autoroutes, 100 km/h on dual carriageways, 80 km/h on roads with two lanes in your direction. On ordinary two-way roads it stays at 80 km/h (or 90 where signed), and in towns at 50 km/h. In visibility under 50 metres, it's 50 km/h everywhere.
Is the speed limit on French country roads 80 or 90 km/h?
80 km/h unless a sign shows 90. Since 2018, local authorities have been able to raise some two-way roads back to 90 km/h, so follow the signs.
What does 'rappel' mean on French speed signs?
Rappel means 'reminder'. It's shown under a speed limit sign to repeat the limit that already applies.
Where does the 50 km/h town limit start in France?
At the town's name sign, even with no speed limit sign. It ends at the sign with the town's name crossed out. Lower limits, such as 30 km/h, are shown by signs.
How much over the speed limit can you go in France?
None, legally. French cameras allow a technical margin for measuring error, which the French government set at 5 km/h below 100 km/h and 5% of the measured speed above 100 km/h (Journal officiel, 2008). Don't rely on it: you can still be fined, and police checks don't work the same way.
What is the speed limit for vans and motorhomes in France?
Vans and motorhomes of 3.5 tonnes or less follow the car limits. Heavier vehicles and outfits over 3.5 tonnes have lower limits shown on signs; on autoroutes, outfits over 3.5 tonnes are limited to 90 km/h.
What is the speed limit for towing a caravan in France?
On autoroutes, a car-and-caravan or car-and-trailer combination over 3.5 tonnes in total is limited to 90 km/h. Outfits of 3.5 tonnes or less follow the car limits. Follow the signs for vehicles over 3.5 tonnes on other roads.
Do new drivers have lower speed limits in France?
Drivers on a French probationary licence have lower limits: 110 km/h on autoroutes, 100 on dual carriageways, 80 elsewhere outside towns. Service-Public doesn't say how they apply to visitors, so if you've held your licence for under three years, keep to them.
Is there a minimum speed on French autoroutes?
In the outside (left) lane, at least 80 km/h when traffic is flowing and conditions are good. Driving slower there is a €35 fine.
What is the fine for speeding in France?
€68 for less than 20 km/h over where the limit is above 50 km/h, otherwise €135. Driving 50 km/h or more over the limit is a criminal offence, with up to €3,750 and 3 months in prison.
What is 130 km/h in mph?
About 81 mph. 110 km/h is about 68 mph, 90 km/h about 56 mph, 80 km/h about 50 mph and 50 km/h about 31 mph.
How strict is France on speeding?
Strict. France uses fixed, mobile, average-speed and in-car cameras, fines start at €68 with no warning first, camera fines can reach UK addresses, and 50 km/h over the limit is a criminal offence.