Driving Differences: France vs Slovenia Explained
When comparing the road regulations of France and Slovenia, distinct contrasts emerge that are vital for safe navigation. Notably, speed limits differ significantly—80 km/h in rural France versus 90 km/h in Slovenia. Additionally, while both nations emphasize signaling in roundabouts, their approaches to alcohol limits for professional drivers vary greatly. Understanding these nuances is crucial for a secure driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| France | Slovenia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Right | Allowed only in specific conditions, such as heavy traffic; not generally recommended. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes cyclists. | Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
france:
Not commonly used; used for temporary markings during roadworks.
slovenia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
france:
Used for temporary markings during roadworks; passing permitted when safe.
slovenia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
france:
Allowed only in specific conditions, such as heavy traffic; not generally recommended.
slovenia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
france:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes cyclists.
slovenia:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
france:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
slovenia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
france:
Yes
slovenia:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
france:
Electronic signs display current limits.
slovenia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| France | Slovenia | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation | Yes, fines are often issued directly by police |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
france:
80 km/h
slovenia:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
france:
90 km/h
slovenia:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
france:
Yes
slovenia:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
france:
Electronic signs display current limits
slovenia:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
france:
Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation
slovenia:
Yes, fines are often issued directly by police
Signals
| France | Slovenia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in France | Not used in Slovenia |
| 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: Language | French; symbols are standard | Slovenian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
france:
Not used in France
slovenia:
Not used in Slovenia
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
france:
Signal when entering and exiting
slovenia:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
france:
Unnecessary use discouraged especially at night; local ordinances may apply
slovenia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
france:
French; symbols are standard
slovenia:
Slovenian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
france:
Triangular with red border
slovenia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| France | Slovenia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed if not specifically prohibited by signs | Allowed where not prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
france:
Not allowed
slovenia:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
france:
Allowed if not specifically prohibited by signs
slovenia:
Allowed where not prohibited by signs
Documentation
| France | Slovenia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits | Accepted; no International Driving Permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended, but not mandatory for short visits |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, an MOT style test is required periodically | Yes, periodic inspections required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory in vehicle | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory in vehicle | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
france:
Accepted for short visits
slovenia:
Accepted; no International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
france:
International Driving Permit recommended
slovenia:
International Driving Permit recommended, but not mandatory for short visits
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
france:
Yes, an MOT style test is required periodically
slovenia:
Yes, periodic inspections required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
slovenia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
slovenia:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| France | Slovenia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
slovenia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
france:
Pull over and stop if necessary
slovenia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| France | Slovenia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used regularly | Common; roadside checks conducted |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Severe fines; varies based on offense |
Limits: Professional Drivers
france:
0.02%
slovenia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
france:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
slovenia:
Common; roadside checks conducted
Enforcement: Fines
france:
Can be substantial
slovenia:
Severe fines; varies based on offense
Roundabouts
| France | Slovenia | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal when entering if turning right | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
france:
Signal when entering if turning right
slovenia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| France | Slovenia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 17 or through local police | 113 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or assistance service | 1987 for AMZS |
Contact: Traffic Police
france:
17 or through local police
slovenia:
113
Contact: Roadside Assistance
france:
Check with your insurance provider or assistance service
slovenia:
1987 for AMZS
Penalties And Fines
| France | Slovenia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically €68 to €3750, license points | Varies; €40 to €1200, 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 | Fines apply, €120 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €135 | Fines apply, €120 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €135 | Fines apply, €250 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can be paid directly to police for minor offenses | Yes, often fines are paid directly or within a deadline |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 45 days to pay | Varies; typically 8 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
france:
Varies; typically €68 to €3750, license points
slovenia:
Varies; €40 to €1200, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
france:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time, and license confiscation
slovenia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
france:
€135
slovenia:
Fines apply, €120
Common Fines: Phone Use
france:
€135
slovenia:
Fines apply, €120
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
france:
€135
slovenia:
Fines apply, €250
Payment: On The Spot
france:
Possible; fines can be paid directly to police for minor offenses
slovenia:
Yes, often fines are paid directly or within a deadline
Payment: Deadline
france:
Varies; typically 45 days to pay
slovenia:
Varies; typically 8 days to pay