Speed limits in France

[JeffH]

Hi. We are in France making our way south. I know the French reduced the speed limit to 80kph on ordinary roads if over 3500kg. However, what are the speed limits on dual carriageways and autoroutes. I googled it and got different answers if over 3500kg. Hope someone can help and put a definitive answer as I don't want to get fined for speeding! Many thanks. Jeff

 

[Whitebirdyman]

Section I) For vehicles towing a caravan (or trailer) where the vehicle has a gross train mass of less than 3.5 tonne and for a solo motorhome which has a gross vehicle weight under 3.5 tonne; unless otherwise signposted and on dry roads the speed limit in kilometres per hour (kph) is: –

• On autoroutes (motorway) 130kph (80mph); (reduce to 110kph (68mph) in adverse weather or rain)
• On dual carriageways and autoroutes without tolls 110kph (68mph); (reduce to 100kph (62mph) in adverse weather or rain)
• Single carriageway roads without a central reservation separator 80kph (50mph); (reduce to 70kph in adverse weather or rain) This came into effect from July 1st 2018.
• In towns 50kph (31mph). The town name starts the limit; a red diagonal bar through the town name is the derestriction sign.

Section II) A solo motorhome which has a gross vehicle weight over 3.5 tonne; unless otherwise signposted and on dry roads the speed limit in kilometres per hour is: –

• On autoroutes (motorway) 110kph (68mph);
• On dual carriageways 100kph (62mph);
• Single carriageway 80kph (50mph);
• In towns 50kph (31mph). The town name starts the limit; a horizontal bar through the town name is the derestriction sign.

Section III) If a motorhome has a trailer, then the speed limit will be based on the gross train mass, the same as a vehicle towing a caravan.

For example:
Ford Focus Style 5 door 1.8 Duratec
Gross Vehicle Weight: 1895kg
Towing Limit: 1160kg
Gross Train Mass: 2995kg (i.e. under 3.5 tonne see Section I)

Volvo X590 D5 manual
Gross Vehicle Weight: 2740kg
Towing Limit: 2250kg
Gross Train Mass: 4990kg (i.e. over 3.5 tonne see Section IV)

Section IV) Any vehicle which has a gross train mass over 3.5 tonne, towing a trailer or caravan; unless otherwise signposted and on dry roads the speed limit in kilometres per hour is: –

• On autoroutes (motorway) 90kph (55mph);
• On dual carriageways 90kph (55mph);
• Single carriageway 80kph (50mph);
• In towns 50kph (31mph). The town name starts the limit; a horizontal bar through the town name is the derestriction sign.

From <https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/threads/french-speed-limits-if-over-3-5t.194371/#post-3272013>

 

[Casper46]

They brought the limit back up to 90k, but at the discretion of each Region or maybe each Department, so some are still 80k.
I think motorways are 130 unless it's raining when it's 110.

 

[eurajohn]

Not quite so simple, the French government now allow Departments to resort to 90 Kph on D roads if they wish, whereas if an N (RN) road then if two lane with no central divider 80Kph, otherwise if a two (or sometimes 3) lane roads with central divider it will be 90 unless signed otherwise, normally 4 lane (2 each direction) with central divider will be 110 Kph unless signed otherwise and Autoroutes 130Kph unless signed otherwise.
Poor weather (rain, fog) always drops them by 10 Kph.
Something else to be aware of is that many towns and villages have now adopted 30 Kph in the main built up area, but to further confuse as you enter some towns you will see a sign telling you that the limit is 30 Kph unless a specific roadside or road surface signage tells you it is 50 Kph.
Just stay aware all of the time

 

[HarryML7]

Not to hijack your thread but one a lot of people are unaware of in the UK.

Motorhomes or motor caravans (more than 3.05 tonnes maximum unladen weight)	30 (48)	Single Carriageway 50 (80)	Dual Carriageway 60 (96)	Motorway 70 (112)

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[Jerome]

Section I) For vehicles towing a caravan (or trailer) where the vehicle has a gross train mass of less than 3.5 tonne and for a solo motorhome which has a gross vehicle weight under 3.5 tonne; unless otherwise signposted and on dry roads the speed limit in kilometres per hour (kph) is: –

• On autoroutes (motorway) 130kph (80mph); (reduce to 110kph (68mph) in adverse weather or rain)
• On dual carriageways and autoroutes without tolls 110kph (68mph); (reduce to 100kph (62mph) in adverse weather or rain)
• Single carriageway roads without a central reservation separator 80kph (50mph); (reduce to 70kph in adverse weather or rain) This came into effect from July 1st 2018.
• In towns 50kph (31mph). The town name starts the limit; a red diagonal bar through the town name is the derestriction sign.

Section II) A solo motorhome which has a gross vehicle weight over 3.5 tonne; unless otherwise signposted and on dry roads the speed limit in kilometres per hour is: –

• On autoroutes (motorway) 110kph (68mph);
• On dual carriageways 100kph (62mph);
• Single carriageway 80kph (50mph);
• In towns 50kph (31mph). The town name starts the limit; a horizontal bar through the town name is the derestriction sign.

Section III) If a motorhome has a trailer, then the speed limit will be based on the gross train mass, the same as a vehicle towing a caravan.

For example:
Ford Focus Style 5 door 1.8 Duratec
Gross Vehicle Weight: 1895kg
Towing Limit: 1160kg
Gross Train Mass: 2995kg (i.e. under 3.5 tonne see Section I)

Volvo X590 D5 manual
Gross Vehicle Weight: 2740kg
Towing Limit: 2250kg
Gross Train Mass: 4990kg (i.e. over 3.5 tonne see Section IV)

Section IV) Any vehicle which has a gross train mass over 3.5 tonne, towing a trailer or caravan; unless otherwise signposted and on dry roads the speed limit in kilometres per hour is: –

• On autoroutes (motorway) 90kph (55mph);
• On dual carriageways 90kph (55mph);
• Single carriageway 80kph (50mph);
• In towns 50kph (31mph). The town name starts the limit; a horizontal bar through the town name is the derestriction sign.

From <https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/threads/french-speed-limits-if-over-3-5t.194371/#post-3272013>

I have been fined ex g three times and I do my damndest to stay within the limits. It’s a minefield. Be aware that the French Police contact theDVLA and you will get points as bet the UK. I suppose you should also contact your insurance. Different Departments different limits. We have a house there and Brits owning cars with French number plates seem to suffer far less than those with British plates. On the bright side, you can pay fines at the local news and tobacconists if you are still there when you get the bumf. A quick guide to the limits is to multiply the speed shown on the sign by six ie 80x6=480 and knock off the 0. It’s accurate enough. French roads are now far better than ours and it’s easy to overstep the mark. There are a lot of unmarked cars and it is said that they are kept cleaner than the average car. Watch out. We are in the Vienne ear Confolens.
Jerome.

 

[JeffH]

What great answers - thank you every one. Puts my mind at ease now. Jeff

 

[Manic]

On some of the sections which have 2 lanes one way and one lane the other on the two lane side it’s 90kph but my Avtex tourer one has shown 80kph and a motorhome symbol.

 

[Lenny HB]

The OP asked about over 3.5t
Single carriageway 80kph, dual carriage way with 110 limit its 100, motorway with 130 limit its 110. Motorway with 120 limit I've never been able to confirm but I think it's 110.

Motorhomes 3.5t and under its the same as cars.

 

[Fontie]

I have been fined ex g three times and I do my damndest to stay within the limits. It’s a minefield. Be aware that the French Police contact theDVLA and you will get points as bet the UK. I suppose you should also contact your insurance. Different Departments different limits. We have a house there and Brits owning cars with French number plates seem to suffer far less than those with British plates. On the bright side, you can pay fines at the local news and tobacconists if you are still there when you get the bumf. A quick guide to the limits is to multiply the speed shown on the sign by six ie 80x6=480 and knock off the 0. It’s accurate enough. French roads are now far better than ours and it’s easy to overstep the mark. There are a lot of unmarked cars and it is said that they are kept cleaner than the average car. Watch out. We are in the Vienne ear Confolens.
Jerome.

I didn't think the French had access to the DVLA database since Brexit ?

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[Googlebot]

My view is regardless of the possibility of being fined, if it’s the law, I try and stick to it. Not a dig at Fontie in the slightest, I have no idea either if they can still fine me.

I have a satnav with speed limit I use all the time so I don’t go over.

I couldn’t even tell you what the limits are as I am under 3.5T so the satnav is spot on for me.

 

[yodeli]

80kph on ordinary roads if over 3500kg.

Sorry didn't take any time at all to read all the posts but this is wrong! 80 is for everyone on "routes départementales" with only a line in the middle... motorbikes cars vans lorries...etc... But it can be 90 in some place/villages and this is up to the town decisions, in this case you are meant to stick to 80 if over 3,5t. Sorry if it has been said, but as we say in French : 1 tiens bon vaut mieux que 2 tu l'auras.1 "hold it tight" is better than 2 "you might get it"

 

[huck999]

I dont care what the speed limit is. With derv at ridiculous prices, we are pootling along as slow as possible