Driving in Antigua and Barbuda vs. France: Key Differences
When traveling from Antigua and Barbuda to France, understanding the distinct rules of the road is essential for ensuring a secure driving experience. Key differences include driving on the left in Antigua and Barbuda, versus the right in France, as well as varied speed limits and the presence of exclusive bus and cycle lanes in France. Stay informed and drive safely abroad!
Lanes
| Antigua and barbuda | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Not commonly used; used for temporary markings during roadworks. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Used for temporary markings during roadworks; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Overtaking is done on the right. | Allowed only in specific conditions, such as heavy traffic; not generally recommended. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | No exclusive bus lanes; regular traffic lanes used by buses. | Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes cyclists. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Bicycles share the road with motor vehicles. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
antigua and barbuda:
Left
france:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
antigua and barbuda:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
france:
Not commonly used; used for temporary markings during roadworks.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
antigua and barbuda:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
france:
Used for temporary markings during roadworks; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
antigua and barbuda:
No
france:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
antigua and barbuda:
Overtaking is done on the right.
france:
Allowed only in specific conditions, such as heavy traffic; not generally recommended.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
antigua and barbuda:
Use leftmost lane.
france:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
antigua and barbuda:
Limited
france:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
antigua and barbuda:
No exclusive bus lanes; regular traffic lanes used by buses.
france:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes cyclists.
Bus Lanes: Markings
antigua and barbuda:
N/A
france:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
antigua and barbuda:
Limited
france:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
antigua and barbuda:
Bicycles share the road with motor vehicles.
france:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
antigua and barbuda:
N/A
france:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
antigua and barbuda:
No
france:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
antigua and barbuda:
N/A
france:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Antigua and barbuda | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 20-30 mph | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 mph | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 40-50 mph | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 40-50 mph | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 40-50 mph | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 50-55 mph | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 50-55 mph | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 50-55 mph | 90 km/h |
| Speed Units | mph | km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Limited | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
antigua and barbuda:
20-30 mph
france:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
antigua and barbuda:
20 mph
france:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
antigua and barbuda:
40-50 mph
france:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
antigua and barbuda:
40-50 mph
france:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
antigua and barbuda:
40-50 mph
france:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
antigua and barbuda:
50-55 mph
france:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
antigua and barbuda:
50-55 mph
france:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
antigua and barbuda:
50-55 mph
france:
90 km/h
Speed Units
antigua and barbuda:
mph
france:
km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
antigua and barbuda:
No
france:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
antigua and barbuda:
N/A
france:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
antigua and barbuda:
Limited
france:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
antigua and barbuda:
Yes
france:
Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Antigua and barbuda | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not used in France |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged especially at night; local ordinances may apply |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | N/A | Fines may apply for misuse |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | French; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border and white background | Triangular with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
antigua and barbuda:
Not used
france:
Not used in France
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
antigua and barbuda:
Signal when exiting
france:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
antigua and barbuda:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
france:
Unnecessary use discouraged especially at night; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
antigua and barbuda:
N/A
france:
Fines may apply for misuse
Traffic Signs: Language
antigua and barbuda:
English; symbols are standard
france:
French; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
antigua and barbuda:
Triangular-shaped with red border and white background
france:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Antigua and barbuda | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless signed otherwise | Allowed if not specifically prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
antigua and barbuda:
Prohibited
france:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
antigua and barbuda:
Permitted unless signed otherwise
france:
Allowed if not specifically prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Antigua and barbuda | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Periodic inspections required | Yes, an MOT style test is required periodically |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on vehicle | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory in vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory in vehicle |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
antigua and barbuda:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
france:
Accepted for short visits
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
antigua and barbuda:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
france:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
antigua and barbuda:
Periodic inspections required
france:
Yes, an MOT style test is required periodically
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
antigua and barbuda:
Displayed on vehicle
france:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
antigua and barbuda:
Not mandatory
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
antigua and barbuda:
Not mandatory
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
Road Etiquette
| Antigua and barbuda | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Reserved mainly for use in emergencies |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
antigua and barbuda:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
france:
Reserved mainly for use in emergencies
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
antigua and barbuda:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
france:
Pull over and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Antigua and barbuda | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | Zero tolerance; 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial penalties for DUI | Can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
antigua and barbuda:
0.08%
france:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
antigua and barbuda:
0.00%
france:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
antigua and barbuda:
Zero tolerance; 0.00%
france:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
antigua and barbuda:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
france:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
antigua and barbuda:
Substantial penalties for DUI
france:
Can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Antigua and barbuda | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal when entering if turning right |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
antigua and barbuda:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
france:
Signal when entering if turning right
Signaling: Exiting
antigua and barbuda:
Signal left when preparing to exit
france:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Antigua and barbuda | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 for emergencies; local numbers may vary | 17 or through local police |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider or assistance service |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
antigua and barbuda:
911
france:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
antigua and barbuda:
911 for emergencies; local numbers may vary
france:
17 or through local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
antigua and barbuda:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
france:
Check with your insurance provider or assistance service
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
antigua and barbuda:
Not mandatory, but recommended
france:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
antigua and barbuda:
Not mandatory, but recommended
france:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Antigua and barbuda | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $500, possible license points | Varies; typically €68 to €3750, license points |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time, and license confiscation |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $25 to $200, points in some cases | €135 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $300, points in some cases | €135 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $500, points on license | €135 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can be paid immediately | Possible; fines can be paid directly to police for minor offenses |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 45 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
antigua and barbuda:
Varies; $50 to $500, possible license points
france:
Varies; typically €68 to €3750, license points
Common Fines: Alcohol
antigua and barbuda:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
france:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time, and license confiscation
Common Fines: Seat Belts
antigua and barbuda:
$25 to $200, points in some cases
france:
€135
Common Fines: Phone Use
antigua and barbuda:
$50 to $300, points in some cases
france:
€135
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
antigua and barbuda:
$100 to $500, points on license
france:
€135
Payment: On The Spot
antigua and barbuda:
Yes; fines can be paid immediately
france:
Possible; fines can be paid directly to police for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
antigua and barbuda:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
france:
Varies; typically 45 days to pay