Driving in France
If you're planning to drive in France it's crucial that you gen up on the road rules. For example, the use or possession of devices that can detect police radar is illegal in most European countries. Penalties can include a fine, driving ban, and even imprisonment. Make sure you're up-to-date with all the restrictions.
Breakdown advice
Driving in Europe without breakdown cover can be a gamble. For example, some French motorways are privately owned and most won't allow breakdown assistance and recovery services to rescue you.
While some may be fluent in French, the majority of us would struggle if our cars broke down. And let's face it the French phrase book may not stretch to 'clutch'.
If you need breakdown assistance in France
Please note it's compulsory to travel with a warning triangle and a fluorescent high visibility vest in France . Learn more about French driving requirements.
Before you call anyone
- Stop your car in a safe place where possible
– out of the way of traffic.
- Switch on your car's hazard lights and sidelights
- Put on your high visibility jacket
- Put up your a warning triangle
It should be clearly visible behind your vehicle
- French roads: approximately 30 metres behind the car
- French motorways: approximately 100 metres behind the car
- You and all passengers must be safely away from moving traffic.
If you break down on a French motorway
Motorways in France are privately managed, so if your car breaks down, we can't send assistance to you, even if it's at a motorway service area. Instead, call one of the French assistance numbers below:
- an emergency telephone
Press the button and the French police will send assistance to your location
- a public phone
Dial 17
- a mobile phone
Dial 112
- Once you've been towed off the motorway/service area, call the AA's 24-hour helpline for assistance if you have AA European Breakdown Cover.
Elsewhere in France
Call the AA's 24-hour helpline for breakdown assistance. It is important that you contact the AA helpline first. If you contact a garage direct, you'll have to settle their bill and the AA won't be obliged to reimburse you.
If you have a road traffic accident in France
Report the accident to your insurer – only they can issue instructions for the car's repair or recovery.
Please give us your motor vehicle insurance details when asked.
English-speaking breakdown assistance
Perhaps all this sounds a little daunting.
Don't let a car breakdown put you off driving in France. If you're unsure what to expect, perhaps another customer's experiences can reassure you.
Here's what happened when a person's car broke down during a skiing trip in France.
Day 1 of the breakdown in France
Someone rang back to arrange for a French mechanic to come the next day.
Day 2 of the breakdown in France
Though the mechanic spoke little English, he knew the nature of the problem before he arrived. Someone on the end of a mobile phone acted as a translator. The car was fixed.
Tot up the cost of call-out charges to a remote ski resort, plus the actual car repairs, and suddenly the value of paying from £9.05 a day for European breakdown cover becomes obvious.
If you're driving to France, AA European Breakdown Cover gives you the reassurance of 24-hour English-speaking assistance in the event of a car breakdown.
