Driving in France vs. Monaco: Key Differences Explained
When comparing road regulations in France and Monaco, notable distinctions arise that can impact your travel experience. Key differences include the presence of variable speed limits in France, the unique rules at roundabouts, and varying enforcement policies. Understanding these nuances is crucial for ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey in these beautiful regions.
Lanes
| France | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; used for temporary markings during roadworks. | Not commonly used in Monaco. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used for temporary markings during roadworks; passing permitted when safe. | Not commonly used in Monaco. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed only in specific conditions, such as heavy traffic; not generally recommended. | Allowed if traffic conditions permit. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited, mostly on main roads |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes cyclists. | Predominantly for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled ‘BUS’. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Shared with small vehicles or buses. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols or shared lane markings. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | Standard speed limits apply |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
france:
Not commonly used; used for temporary markings during roadworks.
monaco:
Not commonly used in Monaco.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
france:
Used for temporary markings during roadworks; passing permitted when safe.
monaco:
Not commonly used in Monaco.
Overtaking: On Right
france:
Allowed only in specific conditions, such as heavy traffic; not generally recommended.
monaco:
Allowed if traffic conditions permit.
Bus Lanes: Presence
france:
Yes
monaco:
Limited, mostly on main roads
Bus Lanes: Usage
france:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes cyclists.
monaco:
Predominantly for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
france:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
monaco:
Labeled ‘BUS’.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
france:
Yes
monaco:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
france:
Exclusive for bicycles.
monaco:
Shared with small vehicles or buses.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
france:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
monaco:
Bicycle symbols or shared lane markings.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
france:
N/A
monaco:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
france:
Yes
monaco:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
france:
Electronic signs display current limits.
monaco:
Standard speed limits apply
Speeds Limits
| France | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | N/A |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | N/A |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | N/A |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | N/A |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | N/A |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | Standard speed limits apply |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation | Common for traffic violations |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
france:
80 km/h
monaco:
N/A
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
france:
80 km/h
monaco:
N/A
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
france:
80 km/h
monaco:
N/A
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
france:
130 km/h
monaco:
N/A
Highways: Buses And Vans
france:
100 km/h
monaco:
N/A
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
france:
90 km/h
monaco:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
france:
Yes
monaco:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
france:
Electronic signs display current limits
monaco:
Standard speed limits apply
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
france:
Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation
monaco:
Common for traffic violations
Signals
| France | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 in France | Rare in Monaco, usually not used |
| 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 use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
france:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
monaco:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
france:
Not used in France
monaco:
Rare in Monaco, usually not used
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
france:
Signal when entering and exiting
monaco:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
france:
Unnecessary use discouraged especially at night; local ordinances may apply
monaco:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Warning
france:
Triangular with red border
monaco:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| France | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed if not specifically prohibited by signs | Permitted where indicated; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
france:
Not allowed
monaco:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
france:
Allowed if not specifically prohibited by signs
monaco:
Permitted where indicated; check for signs
Documentation
| France | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, an MOT style test is required periodically | Required annually; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the vehicle windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory in vehicle | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory in vehicle | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
france:
Accepted for short visits
monaco:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
france:
International Driving Permit recommended
monaco:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
france:
Yes, an MOT style test is required periodically
monaco:
Required annually; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
france:
Displayed on windshield
monaco:
Displayed on the vehicle windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
monaco:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
monaco:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| France | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Reserved mainly for use in emergencies | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
france:
Reserved mainly for use in emergencies
monaco:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
france:
Pull over and stop if necessary
monaco:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| France | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used regularly | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Can be substantial; varies by severity |
Enforcement: Random Checks
france:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
monaco:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
france:
Can be substantial
monaco:
Can be substantial; varies by severity
Roundabouts
| France | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal when entering if turning right | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
france:
Signal when entering if turning right
monaco:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| France | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 112 or 18 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 17 or through local police | Local police also available on 911 using GSM |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or assistance service | Available through service providers or insurance |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
france:
112
monaco:
112 or 18
Contact: Traffic Police
france:
17 or through local police
monaco:
Local police also available on 911 using GSM
Contact: Roadside Assistance
france:
Check with your insurance provider or assistance service
monaco:
Available through service providers or insurance
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
france:
Mandatory
monaco:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| France | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically €68 to €3750, license points | Varies; fines are substantial |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time, and license confiscation | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €135 | Fine applies if not used |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €135 | Substantial fines issued |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €135 | High fines, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can be paid directly to police for minor offenses | Possible; varies |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 45 days to pay | Varies; typically must be settled soon |
Common Fines: Speeding
france:
Varies; typically €68 to €3750, license points
monaco:
Varies; fines are substantial
Common Fines: Alcohol
france:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time, and license confiscation
monaco:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
france:
€135
monaco:
Fine applies if not used
Common Fines: Phone Use
france:
€135
monaco:
Substantial fines issued
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
france:
€135
monaco:
High fines, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
france:
Possible; fines can be paid directly to police for minor offenses
monaco:
Possible; varies
Payment: Deadline
france:
Varies; typically 45 days to pay
monaco:
Varies; typically must be settled soon