French road sign question

[activecampers]

On an n road.
Speed limit is 90.
Down hill section.
One post has a 70 limit with wording underneath saying at times of rain. Fine.
Next post has a 70 limit with a picture of car towing and 3.5T.

So in my mind, that means if you are towing it's 70 and if your are over 3.5t it's 70. But under 3.5t it's 90. There was no < or >. If van was 3.3t its would not worry me.

I'm 3.5t mgw.

I believe it's 90 not 70.

An I right? I did see the camera flash in the mirror and I was doing under 90.

(tracker data and dashcam saved just in case)

Van is motorcaravan on V5.

 

[David and Sally]

It may have thought you were a lorry. I don’t think DVLA give out info to them now anyway. I suspect they will view the picture and do nothing as you are a Moho.

 

[yodeli]

if your are over 3.5t it's 70

I suppose your Moho papers says the weight to take in consideration. If it is UNDER 3,5t then 90km/h .
But if your papers say you are 3,5t then it is 70kms/h. The 3,5t is included in the sign "3,5t"
I have 3,2t so I can drive 90 kms/h

 

[EuroTrotters]

It’s only 70 if towing or over 3.5t on the first image.

2nd image is for anything when raining.
With the added risk of falling rocks .

E&OE

 

[activecampers]

The two answers above are in conflict lol.
So not just me!
Red circle with 3 5t in means (I'm sure) maximum weight 3.5t eg blocking vehicles over 3.5t.
so hence always seen 3.5t signs as not applying and really meaning only applies to bigger vehicles over 3.5t.

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[rb62]

The speed limit refers to vehicles 3.5t and over so you should have been doing under 70 but I wouldn't worry about it unless you applied for a crit air sticker,
the red circle 3.5t

means no vehicle 3.5t or over which is why you don't see many French vans with angle morts stickers on as it gives the game away

 

[activecampers]

The speed limit refers to vehicles 3.5t and over so you should have been doing under 70 but I wouldn't worry about it unless you applied for a crit air sticker,
the red circle 3.5t
View attachment 631925 means no vehicle 3.5t or over which is why you don't see many French vans with angle morts stickers on as it gives the game away

I do have an air thingie

Is your answer "certain" or opinion? I obviously thought the 3.5t is to separate "light" from "heavy" with the different rules applied. Would seem (to me) to be odd to apply lower limit.
Though I'd not put money either way!

My quick phone google before asking here has lots of articles saying "under 3.5t then xxxx" an "over 3.5t then yyyy" but not when you are exactly 3.5t. I'd assume the lower applies as per other laws/regs (UK at least)

I'll see if I can find a definitive source....

 

[rb62]

I do have an air thingie

Is your answer "certain" or opinion? I obviously thought the 3.5t is to separate "light" from "heavy" with the different rules applied. Would seem (to me) to be odd to apply lower limit.
Though I'd not put money either way!

My quick phone google before asking here has lots of articles saying "under 3.5t then xxxx" an "over 3.5t then " but not when you are exactly 3.5t. I'd assume the lower applies as per other laws/regs (UK at least)

I'll see if I can find a definitive source....

Good luck,I always err on the side of caution

 

[Paul and Val]

It’s only 70 if towing or over 3.5t on the first image.

2nd image is for anything when raining.
With the added risk of falling rocks .

The above is 100% correct.
Just a note. Many French Departments have (stupidly in my opinion) retained the 80kmph limit. It is not always clear.

 

[ED O'DARAC]

My V5 says 3499kg for my van so the revenue weight is actually under 3.5t (by one very important kg).
Check your V5 as that exact weight is what will show on their system.
Also, if your taxation class is PLG (and not PHGV) you are going to be ok.

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[activecampers]

The above is 100% correct.
Just a note. Many French Departments have (stupidly in my opinion) retained the 80kmph limit. It is not always clear.

That's what I think but it's that written in an authoritative place? Seems the general population is split lol

 

[activecampers]

My V5 says 3499kg for my van so the revenue weight is actually under 3.5t (by one very important kg).
Check your V5 as that exact weight is what will show on their system.
Also, if your taxation class is PLG (and not PHGV) you are going to be ok.

3500 be plg

 

[ceejayt]

If it says 3.5t with a picture of a lorry then I believe you are oK in a motorhome over 3.5t - otherwise there are some Aires in villages yoiu would never be able to get to

 

[Fragle]

If it says 3.5t with a picture of a lorry then I believe you are oK in a motorhome over 3.5t - otherwise there are some Aires in villages yoiu would never be able to get to

We are sat at Canterbury aire and fortunately there is a British gentleman that drives coaches in the south of France to Spain. A few vans along.
I thought I’d ask him

His answer is as you said. It applies to commercial vehicles not Motorhome’s and as was said before if it was the 3.5t sign alone it applies to all vehicles. If it shows a lorry as well then it only applied to commercial vehicles.
Apparently as a coach driver they get flashed all the time as they have a 100kph limit. So will be faster than the lorry 90kph max setting off the speed cam. He said just ignore it. Unless obviously there was a 90 limit for everyone

 

[jongood]

If it says 3.5t with a picture of a lorry then I believe you are oK in a motorhome over 3.5t - otherwise there are some Aires in villages yoiu would never be able to get to

I completely agree that the signs with a picture of a truck on don't apply to motorhomes but there are quite a few aires notably Le Crotoy and St Valery En Caux which have a general 3500kgs limit that everyone ignores.

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[ceejayt]

I completely agree that the signs with a picture of a truck on don't apply to motorhomes but there are quite a few aires notably Le Crotoy and St Valery En Caux which have a general 3500kgs limit that everyone ignores.

I guess that is ‘except for access’

 

[jongood]

I guess that is ‘except for access’

Its a red circle with 3.5 t written in it.

But probably allowing for the french interpretation

 

[Bessy765]

It is 70 for over 3.5 tons or anything towing anything. The signs with a picture of it raining require a lower speed as shown by the sign

 

[yodeli]

Red circle with 3 5t in means (I'm sure) maximum weight 3.5t eg blocking vehicles over 3.5t.

Well, I would say , do as you pleased.
I, as a FRENCH (do you remember?), won't take the risk because most of the mohos don't have their right weight on their papers. Then you go on hols and you don't even realise that you only have a little payload and you over load your Moho. So if you're found with ...1 kg over the 3,5t.... then you'll be outlaw.
IMO, better safe then sorry, and after all.. you're supposed to be on holidays. Reducing your speed might also save your life... who knows?

 

[Fragle]

The two answers above are in conflict lol.
So not just me!
Red circle with 3 5t in means (I'm sure) maximum weight 3.5t eg blocking vehicles over 3.5t.
so hence always seen 3.5t signs as not applying and really meaning only applies to bigger vehicles over 3.5t.

They read that way don’t they. But what you say is correct. The sign applies to.
All vehicles over 3.5t and cars towing caravan. If you are a motorhome over 3.5t you are PHGV and pay £165 road tax for clarification and the sign applies to you in this case

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[yodeli]

All vehicles over 3.5t and cars towing caravan. If you are a motorhome over 3.5t you are PHGV and pay £165 road tax for clarification and the sign applies to you in this case

Aren't we talking about a French road sign? Tax road ?? £ ? No road tax in France, and the money is euros

 

[nicholsong]

Aren't we talking about a French road sign? Tax road ?? £ ? No road tax in France, and the money is euros

Frankie

In France does the Gendarme on the street have the authority, or even knowledge(e.g weight plates etc.) over moving traffic offences? Or even interest for that matter?

You do realise a 'Non' response could kill off many threads on several forums.

Geoff

 

[Fragle]

Aren't we talking about a French road sign? Tax road ?? £ ? No road tax in France, and the money is euros

We are.
I thought the for clarification would help to identify the fact that if you pay this as tax and the V5 says PHGV. The sign applies to you as we I assume are talking about a British motorhome and a French sign.

 

[dunnah01]

My French moho has a plate on the side showing the PV, PTAC etc so easy to check but I doubt anybody will bother

 

[yodeli]

Frankie

In France does the Gendarme on the street have the authority, or even knowledge(e.g weight plates etc.) over moving traffic offences? Or even interest for that matter?

You do realise a 'Non' response could kill off many threads on several forums.

Geoff

Yes....! Of course the young recruit might be less at ease but don't bet on that.
One thing you might ignore is the difference between Police and Gendarmes.
The latter are soldiers. They are part of the army. They have all the possible licences for car motorbike bus truck etc... They don't pay for those so of course they want to have them all. Consequently they have all the knowledge about each category. Gendarmes are taught much much more as soldiers then a simple policeman is, so don't doubt they might get you into troubles.

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[ashley 1340]

Here in France your campervan is a "camping car" and for that reason is treated as a car, for instance the "mot" is every 2 years but a van of same size is every year. If you pass through a peage you can press the assistance button and explain you are a "camping car " and the toll is less. ( because the toll is based on your height ) A few years ago the speed limits were reduced to 80 kph , some counties re-instated the 90 kph limits but not many. I would suggest you be cautious with speed limits as you can rarely explain your way out of a fine when caught by the Gendarmerie, they are military not police and are very strict in applying the law. I hope this helps

 

[See-u-later.co.uk]

My understanding is that n roads are all 80km unless there is a 90km sign. Am currently in Dordogne an experience driving down bears this out. Some n roads change with only sections of them designated as 90km.

 

[yodeli]

My understanding is that n roads are all 80km unless there is a 90km sign. Am currently in Dordogne an experience driving down bears this out. Some n roads change with only sections of them designated as 90km.

Yes and no.
Mainly 80kms/h applies to roads with only 2 lanes , one for each way and which have no construction to separate them (mortar or metallic).
So you must take it for granted when on such roads unless there is a sign indicating you a different one.

 

[bexleyjohn]

As Ashley has pointed out and Yodeli has said, the 80kph rule was altered but ONLY in the regions who wanted to go back to 90kph. You will find French speed limits change all the time away from Autoroutes. 30, 50, 70, 80, 90, 110, 130 and further “instructions” depending on weight and weather conditions.
Be alert all the time. There has been a HUGE increase in the number of speed cameras and the b****y awful speed bumps over the last two years - driving around France this year was lovely BUT constantly changing speed restrictions etc are a nightmare. (Not to mention French tailgaters and free for alls at roundabouts)

 

[Ian Bosman]

The triangular sign is in effect “Beware of falling rocks” ie a warning sign

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