Tips for Driving in France

France is one of the world's most popular destinations with numerous attractions spread across the entire country. Get familiar with local rules, signs, and types of rental cars available before you embark on your journey.

France Car Rental Locations

You’ll find an Enterprise Rent-A-Car location perfect for your adventure.
• Airport: Begin the trip as soon as you arrive. Airports are usually located near major roadways that will allow you to get on the road quickly.
• Neighborhood: Great for day trips or to begin your journey after a visit to a major city.
• Train Station: Rent at a train station to explore a region further.

Fuel Your Adventure

Almost all petrol stations in France accept Visa and MasterCard. Some 24-hour automatic pumps in supermarket forecourts only take credit cards that include an integrated chip and PIN number.

Unique Road Signs

The word ‘Bis’ on road signs indicates a holiday route. These usually offer a more scenic and less crowded drive.

France Street Signs

Park Smart

• Parked vehicles must be parked in the same direction as the traffic flow.
• On one-way streets, parking is permitted on both sides of the street.
• Paid Parking: Road signs will indicate the areas where parking is restricted and must be paid for, either at meters or auto machines, called ‘stationnement à la carte’.

France

Driving Tips

• Traffic travels on the right in France. The French rules for priorité â droite (yield right-of-way) are the opposite of the US: a vehicle entering from the right has priority in cities and towns.
• On steep hills, uphill traffic has priority – downhill traffic must yield.
• U-turns are not permitted, nor is crossing a solid white line. A flashing red light means do not enter.
• Horns must only be used where there is immediate danger. During the hours of darkness, warnings should be given by flashing lights.
• Unless otherwise indicated you must give way to vehicles entering from the right hand side.

Avoid Congestion

Paris is one of the most visited cities in the world, and the roads are especially crowded on Saturdays in July and August. It’s advisable to avoid city driving at these times.

Automatic and Manual Transmissions

While most cars in the U.S. have an automatic transmission, many vehicles in France are manual. When renting, be sure to designate an automatic if you can’t drive a manual.

Cross Border Regulations

• Renters picking up a vehicle in France will have unlimited travel in mainland France.
• Renters wanting to travel outside of the mainland to authorised countries must make arrangements directly with the Enterprise branch and must return the vehicle to a location in mainland France.

Legal Requirements for Driving in France

• Proof of ID – usually a passport.
• Minimum age to rent a vehicle is 21.

Roadside Assistance

We offer 24-hour roadside assistance where permissible. On motorways, however, only the official breakdown service (police and service vehicles) may be used. Make contact via orange emergency phones placed every 2km.

Loyalty Club Information

Enterprise Plus
•Include the Enterprise Plus number at the time of reservation to earn points on qualifying rentals in Europe. Members can redeem points for free rental days at thousands of participating Enterprise® locations worldwide.

Emerald Club
• Emerald Club® makes the car rental experience faster with Priority Service. Include the Emerald Club member number at the time of reservation to earn credits toward free days on qualifying rentals.