Driving in the Czech Republic vs. France: What to Know
Discover the unique driving regulations and road customs of the Czech Republic and France in this comprehensive comparison. Key distinctions include varying speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol tolerance levels, all essential for ensuring a safe and pleasant journey. Whether you're navigating urban landscapes or rural roads, understanding these nuances is crucial for your driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Czech republic | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used for marking no-parking zones. | Not commonly used; used for temporary markings during roadworks. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used for temporary traffic situations. | Used for temporary markings during roadworks; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Only 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 'BUS' or specific road signs. | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
czech republic:
Used for marking no-parking zones.
france:
Not commonly used; used for temporary markings during roadworks.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
czech republic:
Used for temporary traffic situations.
france:
Used for temporary markings during roadworks; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
czech republic:
Only 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
czech republic:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
france:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes cyclists.
Bus Lanes: Markings
czech republic:
Labeled 'BUS' or specific road signs.
france:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Speeds Limits
| Czech republic | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 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 | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, commonly applied | Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
czech republic:
20-30 km/h
france:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
czech republic:
90 km/h
france:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
czech republic:
90 km/h
france:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
czech republic:
90 km/h
france:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
czech republic:
80-90 km/h
france:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
czech republic:
Electronic signs display current limits.
france:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
czech republic:
Yes, commonly applied
france:
Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Czech republic | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used. | Not used in France |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents. | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use prohibited in most areas. | Unnecessary use discouraged especially at night; local ordinances may apply |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse. | Fines may apply for misuse |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking. | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not to be used to signal other messages. | Not to be used to signal other messages |
| Hand Signals: Permitted | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning. | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected. | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Czech; symbols are standard. | French; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Priority | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed. | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border. | Triangular with red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
czech republic:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
france:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
czech republic:
Not used.
france:
Not used in France
Horn Usage: Allowed
czech republic:
Only in cases to avoid accidents.
france:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
czech republic:
Unnecessary use prohibited in most areas.
france:
Unnecessary use discouraged especially at night; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
czech republic:
Fines may apply for misuse.
france:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
czech republic:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking.
france:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
czech republic:
Not to be used to signal other messages.
france:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Hand Signals: Permitted
czech republic:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning.
france:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
Hand Signals: Common Usage
czech republic:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected.
france:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
czech republic:
Czech; symbols are standard.
france:
French; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Priority
czech republic:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed.
france:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed
Traffic Signs: Warning
czech republic:
Triangle-shaped with red border.
france:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Czech republic | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Generally not allowed unless specifically indicated by a green arrow. | Not allowed |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs. | Permitted unless prohibited by signs |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left. | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs. | Allowed if not specifically prohibited by signs |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows. | Yes, marked with arrows |
| Overtaking While Turning | Prohibited. | Prohibited |
Right Turn On Red
czech republic:
Generally not allowed unless specifically indicated by a green arrow.
france:
Not allowed
Left Turn: General
czech republic:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs.
france:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
Left Turn: At Intersections
czech republic:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left.
france:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
U- Turns Allowed
czech republic:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs.
france:
Allowed if not specifically prohibited by signs
Special Turn Lanes
czech republic:
Yes, marked with arrows.
france:
Yes, marked with arrows
Overtaking While Turning
czech republic:
Prohibited.
france:
Prohibited
Documentation
| Czech republic | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid driver's license required. | Valid driver's license required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted without International Driving Permit. | Accepted for short visits |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended or required. | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory. | Liability insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection mandatory. | Yes, an MOT style test is required periodically |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield. | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory. | Mandatory in vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory. | Mandatory in vehicle |
Driver's License: Requirement
czech republic:
Valid driver's license required.
france:
Valid driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
czech republic:
Accepted without International Driving Permit.
france:
Accepted for short visits
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
czech republic:
International Driving Permit recommended or required.
france:
International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
czech republic:
Liability insurance mandatory.
france:
Liability insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
czech republic:
Annual inspection mandatory.
france:
Yes, an MOT style test is required periodically
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
czech republic:
Displayed on the windshield.
france:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
czech republic:
Mandatory.
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
czech republic:
Mandatory.
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
Road Etiquette
| Czech republic | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake. | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake |
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Discouraged, fines may apply. | Discouraged, fines may apply |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic. | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
| Lane Courtesy: Blocking | Discouraged and may be penalized. | Discouraged and may be penalized |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations. | Only in emergency situations |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries. | Reserved mainly for use in emergencies |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks. | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary. | Pull over and stop if necessary |
| Emergency Vehicles: Awareness | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights. | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights |
Flashing Lights: Usage
czech republic:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
france:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Flashing Lights: Misuse
czech republic:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
france:
Discouraged, fines may apply
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
czech republic:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
france:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
czech republic:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
france:
Discouraged and may be penalized
Use Of Horn: Limited
czech republic:
Only in emergency situations.
france:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
czech republic:
Less frequent use compared to some countries.
france:
Reserved mainly for use in emergencies
Pedestrians Priority
czech republic:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
france:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
czech republic:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary.
france:
Pull over and stop if necessary
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
czech republic:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.
france:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
Alcohol
| Czech republic | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Zero Tolerance: Drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs. | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs |
| Zero Tolerance: Medications | Check if medication affects driving ability. | Check if medication affects driving ability |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, often at checkpoints. | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial. | Can be substantial |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses. | Possible for severe offenses |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension. | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
czech republic:
0.00%
france:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
czech republic:
0.00%
france:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
czech republic:
0.00%; zero tolerance
france:
0.00%
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
czech republic:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
france:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Zero Tolerance: Medications
czech republic:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
france:
Check if medication affects driving ability
Enforcement: Random Checks
czech republic:
Common, often at checkpoints.
france:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
czech republic:
Can be substantial.
france:
Can be substantial
Enforcement: Imprisonment
czech republic:
Possible for severe offenses.
france:
Possible for severe offenses
Test Refusal
czech republic:
Can result in license suspension.
france:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Czech republic | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Priority: Entering | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout. | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout |
| Priority: Inside | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly. | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly |
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry. | Signal when entering if turning right |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit. | Signal right when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight. | Use for first exit or straight |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe. | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe |
Priority: Entering
czech republic:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
france:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
Priority: Inside
czech republic:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
france:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
Signaling: Entering
czech republic:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry.
france:
Signal when entering if turning right
Signaling: Exiting
czech republic:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
france:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
czech republic:
Use for first exit or straight.
france:
Use for first exit or straight
Lane Usage: Left
czech republic:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe.
france:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Czech republic | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 158 | 17 or through local police |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 1230—UAMK; additional providers can be used depending on insurance. | Check with your insurance provider or assistance service |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory. | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory. | Mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
czech republic:
158
france:
17 or through local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
czech republic:
1230—UAMK; additional providers can be used depending on insurance.
france:
Check with your insurance provider or assistance service
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
czech republic:
Mandatory.
france:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
czech republic:
Mandatory.
france:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Czech republic | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically €50 to €600 depending on severity. | 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 | €50 or more. | €135 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €50 or more. | €135 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €100 or higher, points on license. | €135 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common, cash preferred. | Possible; fines can be paid directly to police for minor offenses |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay. | Varies; typically 45 days to pay |
| Foreign Drivers: Fines | Same as residents; must be paid. | Same as residents; must be paid |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid. | Possible if fines are not paid |
Common Fines: Speeding
czech republic:
Varies; typically €50 to €600 depending on severity.
france:
Varies; typically €68 to €3750, license points
Common Fines: Alcohol
czech republic:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time.
france:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time, and license confiscation
Common Fines: Seat Belts
czech republic:
€50 or more.
france:
€135
Common Fines: Phone Use
czech republic:
€50 or more.
france:
€135
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
czech republic:
€100 or higher, points on license.
france:
€135
Payment: On The Spot
czech republic:
Common, cash preferred.
france:
Possible; fines can be paid directly to police for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
czech republic:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay.
france:
Varies; typically 45 days to pay
Foreign Drivers: Fines
czech republic:
Same as residents; must be paid.
france:
Same as residents; must be paid
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
czech republic:
Possible if fines are not paid.
france:
Possible if fines are not paid