Driving Differences: Armenia vs. France Explained
Discover the essential contrasts between driving in Armenia and France, crucial for ensuring your safety on the road. From speed limits and overtaking regulations to traffic signals and documentation, this comparison highlights significant distinctions, such as Armenia's more lenient right turn rules versus France's stringent traffic enforcement. Equip yourself with knowledge for a smoother journey!
Lanes
| Armenia | 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. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
armenia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
france:
Not commonly used; used for temporary markings during roadworks.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
armenia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
france:
Used for temporary markings during roadworks; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
armenia:
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
armenia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
france:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes cyclists.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
armenia:
No
france:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
armenia:
N/A
france:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Armenia | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common | Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
armenia:
40-60 km/h
france:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
armenia:
20 km/h
france:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
armenia:
90 km/h
france:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
armenia:
90 km/h
france:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
armenia:
70 km/h
france:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
armenia:
110 km/h
france:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
armenia:
90 km/h
france:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
armenia:
No
france:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
armenia:
N/A
france:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
armenia:
Common
france:
Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Armenia | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Armenia | Not used in France |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged | Unnecessary use discouraged especially at night; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Armenian; symbols are standard | French; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border | Triangular with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
armenia:
Not used in Armenia
france:
Not used in France
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
armenia:
Signal when exiting
france:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
armenia:
Unnecessary use discouraged
france:
Unnecessary use discouraged especially at night; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
armenia:
Armenian; symbols are standard
france:
French; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
armenia:
Triangular-shaped with red border
france:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Armenia | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed if not specifically prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
armenia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
france:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
armenia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
france:
Allowed if not specifically prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Armenia | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Yes, an MOT style test is required periodically |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield or license plate | Displayed on windshield |
| 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
armenia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
france:
Accepted for short visits
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
armenia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
france:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
armenia:
Annual inspection required
france:
Yes, an MOT style test is required periodically
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
armenia:
Displayed on windshield or license plate
france:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
armenia:
Mandatory
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
armenia:
Mandatory
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
Road Etiquette
| Armenia | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Reserved mainly for use in emergencies |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
armenia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
france:
Reserved mainly for use in emergencies
Alcohol
| Armenia | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.04% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
armenia:
0.04%
france:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
armenia:
Common
france:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
armenia:
Varies; can be substantial
france:
Can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Armenia | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal when entering if turning right |
Signaling: Entering
armenia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
france:
Signal when entering if turning right
Emergency Services
| Armenia | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 104 | 17 or through local police |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or assistance service |
Contact: General Emergency
armenia:
911
france:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
armenia:
104
france:
17 or through local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
armenia:
Check with your insurance provider
france:
Check with your insurance provider or assistance service
Penalties And Fines
| Armenia | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines and points on license | 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 | Varies; fines apply | €135 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applied | €135 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applied, points on license | €135 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | 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
armenia:
Varies; fines and points on license
france:
Varies; typically €68 to €3750, license points
Common Fines: Alcohol
armenia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
france:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time, and license confiscation
Common Fines: Seat Belts
armenia:
Varies; fines apply
france:
€135
Common Fines: Phone Use
armenia:
Fines applied
france:
€135
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
armenia:
Fines applied, points on license
france:
€135
Payment: On The Spot
armenia:
Common
france:
Possible; fines can be paid directly to police for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
armenia:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
france:
Varies; typically 45 days to pay