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Original poster

Someone reassure me about driving in France please

88 replies

zippyswife · 02/08/2022 08:08

We are going on a family holiday to France, dh now can’t go due to commitments with his parents. We go to France most years but he has always driven (it’s been about 10 years since I’ve driven in France). I do most of the driving here and am comfortable driving places I don’t know/long distances/motorways but feel so daunted by the prospect of driving in France. I’m scared I’ll go the wrong way on a roundabout or drive on the wrong side etc! Not sure if I should cancel the holiday but I’d lose the money and dcs would be gutted. Just wanted some advice/reassurance I guess. It’s an 8 hour drive in France to campsite and we’re staying overnight half way down. On the return journey I’d be doing it in a day.

OP posts:
AnOldCynic · 02/08/2022 08:10

You'll be fine. Just just need an extra level of vigilance, the same you had when you started driving. (And which we probably all should have all the time!)

If you are a confident driver here you'll gain that confidence in France pretty quickly I should think.

littlematchstickgirl · 02/08/2022 08:12

Please don't cancel your holiday! It's fine to drive in Europe. Just remember to stay on the right, put a sticker on the steering wheel if you have to, to remind yourself.

Majority of the time, there will be other cars on the road, so you'll be following them, so won't be in danger of driving on the wrong side anyway.

Have a lovely time.

PuttingDownRoots · 02/08/2022 08:14

Motorways... getting on is a bit more tricky (as you are the wrong side) but once on, its straightforward.

Most roads, you just follow everyone else.

Watch out on return, as its easy to relax into your new driving position and drive on the right in the UK too.

Original poster
zippyswife · 02/08/2022 08:15

Thank you! I know it’s crazy to need reassurance from people on the internet but that actually has helped!
the sticker on the car is a great idea. Thank you

OP posts:
itrytomakemyway · 02/08/2022 08:15

I don't enjoy driving very much bu I drive in France pretty much every year. It is really easy. The roads are good and well signposted. The toll roads are a dream to drive on. I am not a fast driver but very rarely do other drivers get impatient with me.

AuditAngel · 02/08/2022 08:15

I tend to do the driving abroad as DH hates driving. I have driven in France a few times . The only time I was concerned was when I knew I had to drive on the Periferique (sp?). I was pleasantly surprised how courteous the French drivers were.

Don’t cancel your holiday

JassyRadlett · 02/08/2022 08:16

The only times I ever got confused or had issues when I was first driving in France was when there was no other bugger around to follow. Which meant that the consequences were limited/nil. (I went the wrong way onto a roundabout once when there wasn't another car around for miles. No issues when there were other cars on the roundabout.)

MillicentMargaretAmanda · 02/08/2022 08:16

Also remember with roundabouts the road is 'leading' you the right way most of the time anyway. So it will be taking you in the direction you need to go round the roundabout. To go the wrong way is, pn most roundabouts, pretty hard.

Seriously, you'll be fine.

cestlavielife · 02/08/2022 08:17

Stay in lane
Dont get riled by someone beeping
Stop on way back if you need to

endofthelinefinally · 02/08/2022 08:18

Always stop at a stop sign for 5 seconds. There is an on the spot fine if you dont. Make sure you have a warning triangle and yellow jackets in the car. Check whether you still have to carry a breathaliser test.

PuttingDownRoots · 02/08/2022 08:20

Make sure your car has UK not GB stickers.

notacooldad · 02/08/2022 08:20

You will pick it up really quick.
My main advice would be to take extra care and think where you want to be when pulling out of a junction to turn left, especially on to a busy road.

orbitalcrisis · 02/08/2022 08:21

Roundabouts usually have an arrow on them telling you which way to go and keep reminding yourself to hug the kerb. Unless you're a truly terrible driver you should be fine.

HerkyBaby · 02/08/2022 08:21

I’ve driven through France several times on my own .OP put your wrist watch on your right wrist as you get on the ferry / are in the tunnel. It’s a brilliant visual aid - watch to curb at all times . You will be fine .

Whitney168 · 02/08/2022 08:23

Because the roads are set up for the side you drive on, it really does all make sense and flow. Most are great roads, with nowhere near the level of traffic we see here, so I find driving in France very pleasant indeed - it's coming back to the UK that is the shock.

The time I really have to think about the side of the road is when I just set off/in car parks, so worth some extra vigilance there, but otherwise not an issue. If you look at roundabouts here, you will see that it would be difficult to go in the wrong direction due to how the roads lead in to them, and it's the same over there in the opposite direction.

KathieFerrars · 02/08/2022 08:25

Have you got a competent passenger at the front who can deal with the tolls?

MrsMitford3 · 02/08/2022 08:27

Also get the thing for tolls that you put on your windscreen and then you can just zoom through and avoid the faff of paying on the wrong side etc

notimagain · 02/08/2022 08:27

I'm sure you'll be fine on main roads, autoroutes, etc...

IMO a couple of things to be consciously defensive about:

Firstly pulling out of side roads/garages to join a standard two way road - make sure you select the correct side...passengers can help with that by nagging "drive on the right"

The second one is the quaint "give way to the right rule" if there are no markings/signs to indicate priority... these days that only really comes into play in towns at some junctions in built up areas but worth being just a bit defensive.

Other than that the driving is generally to a good standard.

FrothyB · 02/08/2022 08:28

I drive in Europe most weeks for work. I'm actually sat in the passanger seat as we drive through France right now.

You'll be absolutely fine. You'll get off the train/ferry and you'll already be the correct side of the road. Follow what the other vehicles are doing at roundabouts etc if you feel unsure.

8 hours is a fair old drive though for people who aren't used to it, or with kids in the car, so take breaks as you need them.

France is quite a decent country to drive in if you're not confident as the roads are nice and big, traffic isn't too heavy compared to Belgium/The Netherlands and whilst the French do tend to speed, you won't have Audis and Porches suddenly appearing behind you at 140mph as you move out to overtake like in Germany.

The journey down is all part of the holiday, so take it easy and enjoy it!

Justleaveitblankthen · 02/08/2022 08:28

How does the steering wheel sticker work? I think I would need an arrow pointing right 🔜
I like the watch idea! I use a big fat scrunchiebracelet on my right hand 😁

MyCatIsNotFittingMyKitchen · 02/08/2022 08:29

If you’re a confident driver, you’ll be fine. I did it for the first time a few years ago and was super nervous but it was fine. Just concentrate on the approach to roundabouts if there’s nobody else around (not uncommon, especially early morning). I found slip roads a bit trickier but it was ok.

Good luck!

Tiggy321 · 02/08/2022 08:35

You will be fine. I live in Belgium and drive a lot in France and then come back to UK and drive my mums car- it takes about 10 secs to get used to driving on "wrong"side of the road! Also drive my own car (left hand drive) in UK. Mildly annoying for car park tickets etc but other than that all good ! Have a great holiday!

ZooMount · 02/08/2022 08:35

I'm the same, my dh always drove in France but one year got ill so I ended up driving for a journey of about an hour and I have to admit I was white knuckled the whole time, but I soon got used to it and I'm sure if I carried on going I would have relaxed eventually. It's really not that different you just have to concentrate. I wouldn't cancel your holiday for it, just take your time.

Chocoqueen · 02/08/2022 08:36

Agree with ask the above - I found it surprisingly easy (but admittedly didn't go into any cities and was mainly on motorways apart from the beginning and end of the journey). The only other thing to add was that your sat nav needs to have speed camera awareness turned off, and speed cameras are hidden unlike in the UK.

SheldontheWonderSchlong · 02/08/2022 08:37

The scariest bit for me is the first roundabout off the ferry - after that it gets easier!

The sticker other people have recommended is fantastic for reminding you and giving reassurance at junctions.

Also, I've noticed if you're just overtaking, the French seem to keep their indicator on - I guess to show that you're not staying in the lane.

Their slip roads etc seem to be set out much more clearly and they have some great rest spots.

Good luck- you'll be fine!