Driving in France vs. India: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of France and India, drivers encounter distinct rules and practices that shape their experience behind the wheel. Key contrasts include driving sides, speed limits, and road etiquette. Understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey in each country.
Lanes
| France | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; used for temporary markings during roadworks. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used for temporary markings during roadworks; passing permitted when safe. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed only in specific conditions, such as heavy traffic; not generally recommended. | Yes, but only when safe. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, in some metropolitan areas |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes cyclists. | Reserved for buses; usage time restrictions may apply. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS'; often marked with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, in some areas |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Driving Side
france:
Right
india:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
france:
Not commonly used; used for temporary markings during roadworks.
india:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
france:
Used for temporary markings during roadworks; passing permitted when safe.
india:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
france:
Yes
india:
No
Overtaking: On Right
france:
Allowed only in specific conditions, such as heavy traffic; not generally recommended.
india:
Yes, but only when safe.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
france:
Use rightmost lane.
india:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
france:
Yes
india:
Yes, in some metropolitan areas
Bus Lanes: Usage
france:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes cyclists.
india:
Reserved for buses; usage time restrictions may apply.
Bus Lanes: Markings
france:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
india:
Labeled 'BUS'; often marked with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
france:
Yes
india:
Yes, in some areas
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
france:
Yes
india:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
france:
Electronic signs display current limits.
india:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| France | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 60-70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 80-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Yes, in major cities and highways |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation | Yes, commonly used |
Urban Areas: Standard
france:
50 km/h
india:
40-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
france:
80 km/h
india:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
france:
80 km/h
india:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
france:
80 km/h
india:
60-70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
france:
130 km/h
india:
80-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
france:
100 km/h
india:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
france:
90 km/h
india:
60-80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
france:
Yes
india:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
france:
Electronic signs display current limits
india:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
france:
Yes
india:
Yes, in major cities and highways
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
france:
Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation
india:
Yes, commonly used
Signals
| France | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in France | Not used in India |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged especially at night; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary and excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | More common due to varied vehicle conditions |
| Traffic Signs: Language | French; symbols are standard | English and local languages; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
france:
Not used in France
india:
Not used in India
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
france:
Signal when entering and exiting
india:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
france:
Unnecessary use discouraged especially at night; local ordinances may apply
india:
Unnecessary and excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Hand Signals: Common Usage
france:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
india:
More common due to varied vehicle conditions
Traffic Signs: Language
france:
French; symbols are standard
india:
English and local languages; symbols are standard
Turns
| France | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited unless otherwise stated by a sign |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Permitted; always yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed if not specifically prohibited by signs | Allowed in designated areas; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
france:
Not allowed
india:
Prohibited unless otherwise stated by a sign
Left Turn: General
france:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
india:
Permitted; always yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians
U- Turns Allowed
france:
Allowed if not specifically prohibited by signs
india:
Allowed in designated areas; check for signs
Documentation
| France | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, an MOT style test is required periodically | Mandatory; proof required with Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | PUC sticker displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory in vehicle | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory in vehicle | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
france:
Accepted for short visits
india:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
france:
Yes, an MOT style test is required periodically
india:
Mandatory; proof required with Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
france:
Displayed on windshield
india:
PUC sticker displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
india:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
india:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| France | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Discouraged, but common due to heavy traffic and mixed vehicle conditions |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Reserved mainly for use in emergencies | Frequent use compared to other countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at marked and zebra crossings |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over and stop if necessary | Move to the side and allow emergency vehicles to pass |
Use Of Horn: Limited
france:
Only in emergency situations
india:
Discouraged, but common due to heavy traffic and mixed vehicle conditions
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
france:
Reserved mainly for use in emergencies
india:
Frequent use compared to other countries
Pedestrians Priority
france:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
india:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked and zebra crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
france:
Pull over and stop if necessary
india:
Move to the side and allow emergency vehicles to pass
Alcohol
| France | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used regularly | Common in cities; checkpoints are regularly used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Varies by state; fines can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
france:
0.05%
india:
0.03%
Limits: Professional Drivers
france:
0.02%
india:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
france:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
india:
Common in cities; checkpoints are regularly used
Enforcement: Fines
france:
Can be substantial
india:
Varies by state; fines can be substantial
Test Refusal
france:
Can result in license suspension
india:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| France | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal when entering if turning right | Signal if turning upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
france:
Signal when entering if turning right
india:
Signal if turning upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
france:
Signal right when preparing to exit
india:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| France | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 17 or through local police | Varies by state; local helpline numbers may apply |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or assistance service | Commonly through insurance providers or automotive associations |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
france:
17 or through local police
india:
Varies by state; local helpline numbers may apply
Contact: Roadside Assistance
france:
Check with your insurance provider or assistance service
india:
Commonly through insurance providers or automotive associations
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
france:
Mandatory
india:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
france:
Mandatory
india:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| France | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically €68 to €3750, license points | Varies; ₹1,000 to ₹2,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time, and license confiscation | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €135 | ₹500 to ₹1,000, points in some states |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €135 | ₹1,000 to ₹5,000, points in some states |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €135 | ₹500 to ₹2,000, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can be paid directly to police for minor offenses | Common; fines often paid at the time of the offense |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 45 days to pay | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
france:
Varies; typically €68 to €3750, license points
india:
Varies; ₹1,000 to ₹2,000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
france:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time, and license confiscation
india:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
france:
€135
india:
₹500 to ₹1,000, points in some states
Common Fines: Phone Use
france:
€135
india:
₹1,000 to ₹5,000, points in some states
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
france:
€135
india:
₹500 to ₹2,000, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
france:
Possible; fines can be paid directly to police for minor offenses
india:
Common; fines often paid at the time of the offense
Payment: Deadline
france:
Varies; typically 45 days to pay
india:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay