Driving in Cambodia vs. France: Key Differences Explained
When exploring the roadways of Cambodia and France, travelers will encounter distinct regulations and practices that shape their driving experiences. Key contrasts include speed limits, traffic signals, and the presence of dedicated bus lanes. Understanding these variances is crucial for ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey in each country.
Lanes
| Cambodia | 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: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes cyclists. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
cambodia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
france:
Not commonly used; used for temporary markings during roadworks.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
cambodia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
france:
Used for temporary markings during roadworks; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
cambodia:
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: Presence
cambodia:
No
france:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
cambodia:
N/A
france:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes cyclists.
Bus Lanes: Markings
cambodia:
N/A
france:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
cambodia:
N/A
france:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
cambodia:
No
france:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cambodia:
N/A
france:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Cambodia | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 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
cambodia:
30-40 km/h
france:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
cambodia:
90 km/h
france:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
cambodia:
70 km/h
france:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
cambodia:
100 km/h
france:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
cambodia:
90 km/h
france:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
cambodia:
80 km/h
france:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
cambodia:
No
france:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cambodia:
N/A
france:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
cambodia:
Yes
france:
Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Cambodia | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | N/A | 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 | Khmer and English; 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
cambodia:
N/A
france:
Not used in France
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
cambodia:
Signal when exiting
france:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
cambodia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
france:
Unnecessary use discouraged especially at night; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
cambodia:
Khmer and English; symbols are standard
france:
French; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
cambodia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
france:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Cambodia | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies, check for signs | Allowed if not specifically prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
cambodia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
france:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
cambodia:
Varies, check for signs
france:
Allowed if not specifically prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Cambodia | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit required | Accepted for short visits |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; proof may be required | Yes, an MOT style test is required periodically |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the vehicle | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended but not mandatory | Mandatory in vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory in vehicle |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
cambodia:
International Driving Permit required
france:
Accepted for short visits
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
cambodia:
International Driving Permit required
france:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
cambodia:
Mandatory; proof may be required
france:
Yes, an MOT style test is required periodically
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
cambodia:
Displayed on the vehicle
france:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
cambodia:
Recommended but not mandatory
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cambodia:
Not mandatory
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
Road Etiquette
| Cambodia | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use as means of communication | 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
cambodia:
Frequent use as means of communication
france:
Reserved mainly for use in emergencies
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
cambodia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
france:
Pull over and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Cambodia | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance for underage drivers | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Strict and substantial | Can be substantial |
Limits: Professional Drivers
cambodia:
0.00%
france:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
cambodia:
0.00%; zero tolerance for underage drivers
france:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
cambodia:
Common; checkpoints used
france:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
cambodia:
Strict and substantial
france:
Can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Cambodia | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal when entering if turning right |
Signaling: Entering
cambodia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
france:
Signal when entering if turning right
Emergency Services
| Cambodia | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 117 | 17 or through local police |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | 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
cambodia:
119
france:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
cambodia:
117
france:
17 or through local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
cambodia:
Check with your insurance provider
france:
Check with your insurance provider or assistance service
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
cambodia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
france:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cambodia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
france:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Cambodia | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines are 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 | Varies; penalties applied | €135 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Varies; penalties applied | €135 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; substantial fines | €135 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, on the spot payment | Possible; fines can be paid directly to police for minor offenses |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a specified period | Varies; typically 45 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
cambodia:
Varies; fines are substantial
france:
Varies; typically €68 to €3750, license points
Common Fines: Alcohol
cambodia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
france:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time, and license confiscation
Common Fines: Seat Belts
cambodia:
Varies; penalties applied
france:
€135
Common Fines: Phone Use
cambodia:
Varies; penalties applied
france:
€135
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
cambodia:
Varies; substantial fines
france:
€135
Payment: On The Spot
cambodia:
Yes, on the spot payment
france:
Possible; fines can be paid directly to police for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
cambodia:
Varies; typically within a specified period
france:
Varies; typically 45 days to pay