Basic information

from 22:00 on Saturdays and the day before public holidays to 22:00 on Sundays and public holidays

Vehicles

heavy goods vehicles of over 7.5t maximum permissible weight (MPW) with the exception of special vehicles and agricultural vehicles

Applies to roads

throughout the road and motorway network

Detailed information

a.During the summer period:

Vehicles concerned: heavy goods vehicles and combination vehicles of over 7.5t MPW, with the exception of special vehicles and agricultural vehicles.

Prohibition is in effect:

on Saturdays 25 July and 1, 8, 22, 29 August 2020 from 07:00 to 19:00,

Note: driving is allowed on these Saturdays from 19:00 to 24:00.

In effect on the following routes (in both directions, if not otherwise specified):

Bourg-en-Bresse - Chamonix

A40 from Pont d'Ain (junction A40/A42) to Passy-le-Fayet (junction A40/RD1205)
RD1084 from Pont d'Ain (junction RD1084/RD1075) to Bellegarde
RD1206 from Bellegarde to Annemasse
RD1205 from Annemasse to Passy-le-Fayet
RN205 from Passy-Le-Fayet to Chamonix

Lyon - Chambéry - Tarentaise - Maurienne

A43 from the A46 south/A43 interchange to the A43/A432 interchange in the direction Lyon-Chambéry
A43 from the A43/A432 interchange to the Fréjus Tunnel
A430 from Pont Royal (junction A43/A430) to Gilly-sur-Isere (junction A430/RN90)
RD1090 from Pont-Royal to Gilly-sur-Isere (junction A430/RN90)
RN90 from Gilly-sur-Isere (junction A430/RN90) to Bourg-Saint-Maurice
RD1090 from Bourg-Saint-Maurice to Séez
RD306 (Rhône) and RD1006 (Isere and Savoie) from Saint-Bonnet- de-Mure to Freney
RN201 transit of Chambéry (VRU - urban rapid transit route)

Lyon - Grenoble - Briançon

A48 from Coiranne (junction A48/A43) to St Egreve (junction A48/A480)
A480 from St Egreve (junction A480/A48) to Pont-de-Claix (junction A480/RN85)
RN85 from Pont-de-Claix (junction A480/RN85) to Vizille (junction RN85/RD1091)
RD1091 from Vizille (junction RN85/RD1091) to Briançon

Bellegarde and St Julien-en-Genevois - Annecy – Albertville

A41 north from St Julien-en-Genevois (A40/A41 north junction) to Cruseilles (A410/A41 north junction)
RD1201 from St Julien-en-Genevois to Annecy
RD1508 from Bellegarde to Annecy
RD3508 Annecy bypass
RD1508 from Annecy to Ugine
RD1212 from Ugine to Albertville

Annemasse – Sallanches - Albertville

RD1205 from Annemasse to Sallanches
RD1212 from Sallanches to Albertville

Chambéry - Annecy – Scientrier

A410 from Scientrier (A410/A40 junction) to Cruseilles (A410/A41 north junction)
A41 north from Cruseilles (A410/A41 north junction) to the junction with the A43 at Chambéry
RD1201 between Chambéry and Annecy
RD1203 between Annecy and Bonneville

Grenoble - Chambéry

A41 south between Grenoble and the A43 (Francin interchange) at Montmélian northbound
RD1090 between Montmélian (73) and Pontcharra (38)

Provisions applicable to certain road sections in the Ile-de-France region

Concerns heavy goods vehicles and combination vehicles of over 7.5t MPW with the exception of special vehicles and agricultural vehicles. In the Ile-de-France region there exist, apart from general and additional restrictions, also detailed ones. There are no exemptions from these restrictions.

In effect on the following sections of the Ile-de-France motorway network:

A6a, A6b from the Boulevard Périphérique in Paris to their junction with the A6 and A10 (commune of Wissous)
A106 from its junction with the A6b to Orly airport
A6 from its junction with the A6a and A6b to its junction with the RN104-East (commune of Lisses)
A10 from its junctions with the A6a and A6b to the RN20 (commune of Champlan)
A13 from the Paris ring road to the Poissy-Orgeval interchange (commune of Orgeval)
A12 from its junction with the A13 (Rocquencourt triangle) to the RN10 (commune of Montigny-le-Bretonneux)

Prohibition outwards from Paris

on Fridays from 16:00 to 21:00
on the eve of a public holiday from 16:00 to 24:00
on Saturdays from 10:00 to 18:00 and from 22:00 to 24:00
on Sundays or public holidays from 00:00 to 24:00

Prohibition inwards to Paris

on Saturdays and on the eve of a public holiday from 22:00 to 24:00
on Sundays or public holidays from 00:00 to 24:00
on Mondays or the day after a public holiday from 06:00 to 10:00

Not applicable for five Saturdays in the summer period.

PERMANENT DEROGATIONS

Permanent derogations, which are not subject to special authorisation, are granted for the following transport operations:

1. vehicles transporting livestock or perishable goods or foodstuffs, provided that the quantity of goods constitutes at least half of the truck's load or occupies at least half of the loading surface or volume of the vehicle. In the case of multiple deliveries, these minimum loading conditions no longer apply beyond the first point of delivery provided that further deliveries occur within a zone restricted to the region of origin of the first
delivery point and the neighbouring departments or the region of origin of the first delivery point and adjacent regions within a distance of 150 kilometres.
The vehicles concerned are not subject to minimum load conditions and may travel empty if their loading operations are restricted to a zone consisting of the region of
origin and its neighbouring departments or the region of origin and adjacent regions within a distance of 150 kilometres.
Vehicles transporting racehorses are not subject to minimum load conditions.
Vehicles which have been used to transport homing pigeons are authorised to travel empty throughout the road network.
PERISHABLE GOODS AND PRODUCTS
(annex 1, regulation from 2006)
a) The following perishable goods and products or subjected to the environment temperature: eggs; live fish, crustaceans and molluscs; frozen and deep-frozen foodstuffs, in particular meat products, seafood, milk and dairy products, egg-based products, yeast and vegetable products including refrigerated fruit juices and ready-to-use chopped raw vegetables; all foodstuffs which must be kept warm
b) The following perishable goods:
fresh fruit and vegetables, including potatoes, onions and garlic; cut flowers, potted plants and flowers; honey; animal carcasses.
2a Vehicles engaged in the seasonal collection and transport of agricultural produce from the place of harvesting to the place of storage, processing or packaging, within an area made up of the region of origin and the neighbouring departments or the region of origin and adjacent regions within a distance of 150 kilometres.
2b Vehicles engaged in the seasonal transport of beet pulp from the processing plant to the place of storage or use. These vehicles may not use the motorway network.
3a Vehicles whose load is indispensable for the installation of economic, sporting, cultural, educational or political events which have been duly authorised, on condition that the said event is to take place on the same day or, at the latest, on the day following the transport.
3b Vehicles transporting fireworks, the use of which has been duly authorised for the same day or the following day.
3c Vehicles transporting hydrocarbon gas mixture, liquefied, NOS, UN1965, or petroleum products, UN 1202, 1203, 1223, necessary for duly authorised sporting competitions, on condition that the event justifying the transport operation is to be held on the same day as or, at the latest, the day after the transport operation.
4. Vehicles transporting newspapers and magazines only.
5. Vehicles carrying out office or factory removals in an urban area.
6. Vehicles authorised for the itinerant sale of the goods transported, within an area made up of the region of origin and the neighbouring departments or the region of origin and adjacent regions within a distance of 150 kilometres.
7. Vehicles belonging to tradesmen and which are used for the sale of their produce at fairs or markets within an area made up of the region of origin and the neighbouring departments or of the region of origin and adjacent regions within a distance of 150 kilometres.
8. Vehicles used for the transport of air freight, under cover of an air waybill.
9. Vehicles used for the transport of hospital waste or goods necessary for the operation of medical establishments.
10. Vehicles transporting medical gases.
11. Vehicles transporting industrial gamma radiography equipment.

For all vehicles benefiting from a permanent derogation, empty return is authorized within a zone restricted to the region of the last delivery point and the neighbouring departments or the region of the last delivery point and adjacent regions within a distance of 150 kilometres.

The vehicles mentioned under points 3, 6 and 7 may travel laden at the end of the event or the sale, within a zone restricted to the region of the place where the event or sale took place and its neighbouring departments or the region of the place where the event or sale took place and adjacent regions within a distance of 150 kilometres.

Detailed information about the obligatory conditions is mentioned in the derogation section on www.bison-fute.gouv.fr.

Short-term derogations

Derogations to the driving restrictions laid down in articles 1 and 2 above (permanent and additional derogations), so-called short-term prefectural derogations, may be granted for:

vehicles performing a transport operation considered as indispensable and urgent, namely those engaged in a goods transport operation to meet the needs caused by exceptional circumstances such as drought, flooding, or natural or catastrophes
vehicles engaged in waste transport for the clearing of rubbish dumps or slaughterhouses
vehicles used to supply clean laundry to and remove dirty laundry from hotel complexes (of a combined capacity of 1000 rooms and more)
tanker vehicles used for the supply of service stations situated along motorways and airports with aviation fuel
vehicles transporting dangerous goods destined for urgent loading or resulting from urgent unloading in maritime ports.

The corresponding authorizations are issued by the Prefect of the department of departure for a period not exceeding the duration of the prohibition for which the derogations are requested. For transport operations originating outside France, the authorization is issued by the Prefect of the department of entry into France.

Long-term derogations

Derogations to the driving restrictions laid down in articles 1 and 2 above (permanent and additional derogations), so-called long-term prefectural derogations, may be granted for

vehicles necessary to ensure the non-stop operation of certain production services or units. If dangerous goods transport is involved, these authorizations can only be issued subject to the approval of the interministerial committee on the transport of dangerous goods. Authorizations for the transport operations are issued by the Prefect of the department of loading (or of entry into France) subject to the approval of the Prefect of the department of destination (or of exit from France).
vehicles contributing to the provision of public services or emergency services to meet immediate collective needs. Authorizations for the transport operations are issued by the Prefect of the department of departure

Long-term authorizations are issued for a maximum of one year.

Lifting of restrictions in border zones

In order to mitigate the consequences of the lack of harmonisation of traffic bans with those of neighbouring states, the Prefects of border departments have the possibility of granting derogations to the driving restrictions foreseen in articles 1 and 2 above (concerns permanent and additional derogations).

Lifting of restrictions under exceptional circumstances In the case of exceptional circumstances, if the vehicles mentioned in article 1 have been

immobilised during the 12 hours preceding the beginning of a period of restriction foreseen in articles 1, 2 or 3 above (concerns permanent and additional derogations and some road sections in the Ile-de-France region), the departmental Prefects may, in coordination with the Prefects of the neighbouring departments, authorize them to travel during all or part of the period of restriction within a specific zone.

Conditions of use of derogations

For any vehicle granted a permanent derogation or a short or long-term individual prefectural derogation, the person in charge of the vehicle must be able to prove to the officers responsible for road traffic checks that the transport operation complies with the provisions of the derogation concerned.

The authorization must be kept on board of the vehicle. For it to be valid, it must be completed by the holder prior to the vehicle’s departure, indicating the date of the transport operation and the vehicle’s registration number.

An authorization may be withdrawn by the issuing authority if the holder does not observe its terms of use or has provided erroneous information in order to obtain it.

Regulation on the delivery and loading of goods in Paris

This regulation on the delivery and loading of goods applies to professional transport operators carrying out a delivery and/or loading goods in Paris; companies transporting, delivering or loading goods in the framework of their activity; persons occasionally transferring goods.

Vehicles concerned: vehicles with a surface of less than 29m2 and propelled by an electric, gas or hybrid engine or which meet the Euro 3 standard (until 31st December 2008), Euro 4 standard (from 1st January 2009) or Euro 5 standard (from 1st January 2010)

Deliveries authorized 24h a day

For vehicles with a surface of less than 29m deliveries authorized from 22:00 to 17:00

For vehicles with a surface of 43m or less deliveries authorized from 22:00 to 07:00

Permanent derogation for vehicles used for the following functions:

security vans
supply of markets
deliveries of flour
tankers
car transporters
vehicles transporting materials to or from building sites
road maintenance vehicles
refuse collection
removals

Notes: Stopping in Parisian delivery zones is limited to 30 minutes.

PERMANENT TRAFFIC BANS

For safety reasons there is heavy goods vehicles traffic ban in parts of national road network in France. Below there are specified main routes under the restriction issued by the Prefect for heavy goods vehicles of over 7.5t MPW (or of another specified weight).

Restrictions concerning collective transport of people are also given (the list is not exhaustive).

Île-de-France Region

motorway tunnel A14 under La Défense

East Region

state road N59 between Lunéville (54) and Sélestat (67) traffic ban of all vehicles in transit of over 3.5t total weight

state road N66

traffic ban of vehicles of over 3.5t total weight between Remiremont (88) and Cernay (68)

traffic ban of vehicles or combined transport of 19t MPW, from 06:00 to 22:00 whose loading or unloading point is situated in Alsace or Lorraine

North Region

A22 motorway (12 km), state road N356 (5 km), state road N227 (3-4 km) traffic ban of vehicles in transit of over 3.5t total weight heading for the exit of A1 motorway in the South – North direction.

Vehicles in transit are vehicles coming from A1 motorway southbound from interchange No. 20 (Faches-Thumesnil), heading for Belgium, which between the interchange of A14 and A17 motorways in Belgium (interchange in Aalbeke) do not load or unload, stop at their company’s premises or undergo customs control.

These vehicles are directed from A1 motorway (Paris) onto the route in the direction of Belgium by the common section of A22 (PR 0 – 2) motorway, and further A27 motorway to Belgium.

South Region

A557 motorway: traffic ban for vehicles of over 3.5t MPW from Arenc exit (13) and Les Ports, in the direction from A7 to A55.
A55 motorway (4km): traffic ban for vehicles of over 3.5t MPW in Marseille (13) between the interchange in Vieux Port and the interchange in Cap Pinède.
Connection between the A50 (Toulon est/east) and A57 (Toulon ouest/west) motorways. Traffic ban in the tunnel in Toulon (83) for vehicles of over 19t MPW transporting goods and for coaches in the direction of Marseille.
A8 motorway. Round-the-clock ban of transporting ethylene oxide on the section of A8 motorway between toll point in Antibes and the Italian border, except for exceptional exclusions due to force majeure. In case of such transports the sea route Lavera – Tavazzano is recommended.
State road N7: traffic ban for vehicles of over 6t MPW on transit route through Orange agglomeration (84), between junction with RD976 and junction with RD950, traffic ban for vehicles of over 16t MPW on transit route through Mondragon agglomeration (84).
State road N85: traffic ban for vehicles of over 25t MPW in Avignon (84), on bridges Pont du Royaume and Pont Daladier.
State road N94: Montgenèvre Pass (05) (9 km): traffic ban for vehicles or loaded combination vehicles of over 26t MPW, traffic ban for vehicles or loaded combination vehicles of over 26t MPW, not equipped in cruise controls, from southern Embruns roundabout (05) to the border with Italy.

South-east region

A7 and A6 highways (25km): traffic ban between Ternay (69) and Limonest Dardilly (69).
N205 state road(74): traffic ban in Mont-Blanc tunnel concerning vehicles transporting dangerous goods.
A43 highway (73): traffic ban in Fréjus tunnel concerning vehicles transporting Class 1 dangerous goods and different classes, depending on the kind of their packaging.
A47 highway: traffic ban on the junction connecting A47 motorway (east-west direction) and A7 motorway in the direction of Lyon city centre / interchange in Ternay (69).
N7 state road: traffic ban for vehicles of over 6t MPW from 22:00 to 06:00 in Tain l’Hermitage (26).
N7 state road: traffic ban for vehicles of over 3.5t MPW between Vienne (38) and Péage de Roussillon in the north-south direction.
N85 state road Laffrey exit: traffic ban for vehicles of over 7.5t MPW and public transport vehicles.
North part of Lyon ring road (69): traffic ban for vehicles of over 4.5m height, traffic ban for vehicles of over 19t MPW
Fourviére tunnel (69): traffic ban for vehicles of over 7.5t MPW and of over 4.5m height, traffic ban concerning vehicles transporting dangerous goods

Child public transport

Public transport of children in vehicles intended for public transport (vehicles of over 9 seats) is transport of people mainly under 18, regardless of its cause.

In 2020 public transport of children is forbidden on Saturdays 1 and 8 August from 00:00 to 24:00 outside the area of department from which the transport originates and adjacent departments.

compulsory list of passengers (Art. 60 point 3 of the regulation of 2nd July 1982 concerning public transport of people)

From 2009 for safety reasons in all coaches intended for public transport of people there has to be a list of names of all passengers. The list is prepared and given to the carrier by the transport organizer. It must be presented on every request of officers carrying out road controls. The document may be prepared in any form, however it should contain specified information, such as: name and surname of every passenger, and in case of public transport of children, next to the names there has to be a contact phone number. Such document is not obligatory in the department of the transport origin and in adjacent departments.

Breathalyzers

Coaches introduced to road traffic since 2010 should be equipped in breathalyzers preventing from starting the vehicle.

Special transport

Transport or flow of the special goods, machines or vehicles due to their size or weight exceeding regular limits, has to be subject to authorization in advance.

There are two types of authorizations: an individual personal authorization and a local authorization. To get information concerning services responsible for considering the authorization applications, one should apply to a relevant prefecture or in case of different countries – to the prefecture of the department in which entering French territory takes place.

Traffic ban for convoys possessing authorizations:

on a motorway, except for derogation announced by the Prefect, provided in art. 11 of the Regulation of 4th May 2006 (Journal of Laws RF no. 110 of 12th May 2006, page 6923, entry 33),
on the whole road and motorway network from 12:00 on Saturday or the day before a public holiday to 06:00 on Monday or the day after a public holiday except for derogations announced by the Prefect in case of absolute necessity and with regard to local situation, after obtaining, if it is essential, the opinions of the Prefects of the departments through which the transport is supposed to be carried out
during traffic restrictions on specified routes due to thaw
during snowfalls and hoar frost or at limited visibility.

These regulations do not apply for military convoys or transports or to training vehicles and interventionist civil safety services, which are subject to special regulations.

More information concerning special transport and the way of obtaining an authorization can be found onwww.securiteroutiere.gouv.fr

Transport of logs

Logs are all parts of trunks and branches obtained through cutting. Traffic is permitted with the maximum limit of 57t (6 axles) or 48t (5 axles) in case of vehicles possessing the certifications about the lack of economically reasonable alternative for road transport in conditions and on routes specified by the department’s Prefect’s regulation in advance.

Regardless of this, traffic remains banned:

on motorways, for all vehicles which cannot attain permanent speed of 50kph
on all road and motorway network from 12:00 on Saturday or the day before a public holiday to 06:00 on Monday or the day after a public holiday. The Prefect may, however, in case of absolute necessity and with regard to local situation, annul the ban.
during snowfalls and hoar frost or at limited visibility.

Holidays

Public holidays 2026

1st January - New Year's Day
21st April - Easter Monday
1st May - Labor Day / May Day
8th May - WWII Victory Day
29th May - Ascension Day
9th June - Whit Monday
14th July - Bastille Day
15th August - Assumption of Mary
1st November - All Saints' Day
11th November - Armistice Day
25th December - Christmas Day

Tires

There are no general regulations. Exceptions signposted.

Chains

Obligation of using snow chains as signposted.

Studded tires permitted from the beginning of November to the end of March, if there is a sticker on the vehicle.

Source: Continental Information

Good to know

BRAKING DISTANCE

At the speed of 50kph of dry road, heavy goods vehicles need 44m to stop, and on a thin snow layer the distance equals at least 100m.

Traffic on a snowy road:

If a road has three or more lanes in one direction, it is forbidden for drivers of loaded heavy goods vehicles of over 3.5t MPW and of over 7m length to move on different lanes than the two extreme lanes, except for situations when they prepare to change the direction, with possibly lowest impediment for other drivers (Art. R 412-25 and R 414-17 of Highway Code).

Dipped headlights. Using dipped headlights in built-up area as well as outside built-up area are advised 24h for all engine vehicles.

Maximum blood – alcohol content – 0,05‰ except for drivers of public transport vehicles and coaches for which maximum blood – alcohol content is 0,02‰.

Detecting alcohol in blood in the limits:

0,05‰ – 0,08‰ – is fined from 135 Euro and 6 penalty points and possible withdrawal of the driving license for up to 3 years

Over 0,08‰ – may be penalized in the following ways: immediate withdrawal of the driving license for at least 72 hours; fine of up to 4.500 Euro; withdrawal of the driving license for 3 to 5 years; being imprisoned for up to 2 years; confiscation of the vehicle; to these 6 penalty points are added. Each sanction is increased in consequence of an accident involving seriously injured.

Drivers of public transport and coaches with over 0,02‰ of blood – alcohol content are fined with 135 Euro, 6 penalty points and withdrawal of the driving license for up to 3 years.

Driving under the influence of intoxicants or alcohol is fined with 6000 Euro and withdrawal of the driving license for 3 years and/or being imprisoned for up to 3 years.

NOTE!!!

From 1st July 2012 every car driving in France has to be equipped with breathalyzers. Minimal fine is 11 Euro.

Exemplary fines for other road offences, in Euro:

wrong parking – from 35 to 135
parking causing danger for other users of roads – 135 and 3 penalty points and possible withdrawal of the driving license for 3 years
ignoring STOP sign – 135 and 4 penalty points and withdrawal of the driving license for up to 3 years
failure to fasten one’s seatbelts – 135 and 3 penalty points
speeding: over 20kph – 135 and 1 penalty point; from 20 to 50kph – from 135 to 1.500 and from 2 to 4 penalty points.

Note: at the same offence repeated twice the fines are increased by 100%.

Offence Code also includes a regulation according to which a fine for causing corporal injuries unintentionally may amount to 1.500 Euro and a possible withdrawal of the driving license for 3 years.

In the case of being caught at other drivers’ safety violation again, the fine is increased to 15.000 Euro, 1 year of prison and withdrawal of the driving license for 5 years.

If a driver claims he did not commit an offence, he is asked to pay a deposit fee (amende forfaitaire) the amount of which depends on the kind of the offence; failure to pay the above – mentioned fee may cause confiscation of the vehicle until the time of paying the fee.

A police officer is entitled to impose and collect a fine of up to 375 Euro.

Note: Drivers are obliged by the law to keep a safe distance between the vehicles in traffic. The distance is equivalent to the time of 2 seconds of moving vehicles (i.e. at the speed of 50kph – 28m; at 90kph – 50m; at 110kph – 62m; at 130kph – 73m). A failure to comply with these regulations is fined with 90 Euro.

IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS

Assistance breakdown service - in case of a breakdown a driver uses emergency telephones (orange colour) situated along the motorways every 2 km calling the police or assistance breakdown service of the given motorway. He may call a garage or a service of his own choice only after the exit of the motorway.

Police - 17

Fire brigade - 18

Emergency (SAMU) – 15

Or the unified number - 112

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