Driving in Argentina vs. France: Key Safety Differences
Discover the unique aspects of road regulations between Argentina and France in our detailed comparison. From speed limits to lane usage, each country exhibits distinct driving customs. Notably, Argentina allows overtaking in various scenarios, while France emphasizes strict adherence to variable speed limits. Stay informed to enhance your travel safety and navigation abroad.
Lanes
| Argentina | France | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Allowed only in specific conditions, such as heavy traffic; not generally recommended. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes cyclists. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with signs and road markings. | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
argentina:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
france:
Not commonly used; used for temporary markings during roadworks.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
argentina:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
france:
Used for temporary markings during roadworks; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
argentina:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
france:
Allowed only in specific conditions, such as heavy traffic; not generally recommended.
Bus Lanes: Usage
argentina:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
france:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes cyclists.
Bus Lanes: Markings
argentina:
Labeled with signs and road markings.
france:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
argentina:
No
france:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
argentina:
N/A
france:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Argentina | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-110 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110-130 km/h | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
argentina:
40-60 km/h
france:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
argentina:
40 km/h
france:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
argentina:
80-110 km/h
france:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
argentina:
80-100 km/h
france:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
argentina:
110-130 km/h
france:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
argentina:
90-100 km/h
france:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
argentina:
80-90 km/h
france:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
argentina:
No
france:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
argentina:
N/A
france:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
argentina:
Yes
france:
Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Argentina | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Argentina | 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 |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | French; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
argentina:
Not used in Argentina
france:
Not used in France
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
argentina:
Signal when exiting
france:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
argentina:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
france:
Unnecessary use discouraged especially at night; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
argentina:
Spanish; symbols are standard
france:
French; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
argentina:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
france:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Argentina | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Usually not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed if not specifically prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
argentina:
Usually not allowed unless indicated by a sign
france:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
argentina:
Varies by locality; check for signs
france:
Allowed if not specifically prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Argentina | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with an International Driving Permit | Accepted for short visits |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with an International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required | Yes, an MOT style test is required periodically |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory in vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Mandatory in vehicle |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
argentina:
Accepted with an International Driving Permit
france:
Accepted for short visits
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
argentina:
Accepted with an International Driving Permit
france:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
argentina:
Required
france:
Yes, an MOT style test is required periodically
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
argentina:
Mandatory
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
argentina:
Mandatory
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
Road Etiquette
| Argentina | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in some areas | Reserved mainly for use in emergencies |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
argentina:
Frequent use in some areas
france:
Reserved mainly for use in emergencies
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
argentina:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
france:
Pull over and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Argentina | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Can be substantial |
Limits: Professional Drivers
argentina:
0.00%
france:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
argentina:
Common
france:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
argentina:
Varies; can be substantial
france:
Can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Argentina | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal when entering if turning right |
Signaling: Entering
argentina:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
france:
Signal when entering if turning right
Emergency Services
| Argentina | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 101 | 17 or through local police |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or ACA | Check with your insurance provider or assistance service |
Contact: General Emergency
argentina:
911
france:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
argentina:
101
france:
17 or through local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
argentina:
Check with your insurance provider or ACA
france:
Check with your insurance provider or assistance service
Penalties And Fines
| Argentina | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial | Varies; typically €68 to €3750, license points |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time, and license confiscation |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | €135 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply | €135 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply | €135 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Sometimes; fines can also be paid later | 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
argentina:
Varies; can be substantial
france:
Varies; typically €68 to €3750, license points
Common Fines: Alcohol
argentina:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
france:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time, and license confiscation
Common Fines: Seat Belts
argentina:
Fines apply
france:
€135
Common Fines: Phone Use
argentina:
Fines apply
france:
€135
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
argentina:
Fines apply
france:
€135
Payment: On The Spot
argentina:
Sometimes; fines can also be paid later
france:
Possible; fines can be paid directly to police for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
argentina:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
france:
Varies; typically 45 days to pay