Speed at the wheel
Verified 29 December 2025 - Public Service / Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
Wondering what is the maximum speed allowed on the different types of roads? We tell you what you need to know.
The rules vary depending on the weather conditions.
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In general
Taxiway | General rule | Young driver |
|---|---|---|
Motorway | 130 km/h | 110 km/h (100 km/h on sections of motorway where the maximum authorized speed is less than 130 km/h) |
2-carriageway road separated by 1 central median | 110 km/h | 100 km/h |
Section of road with at least 2 lanes assigned to the same direction of travel | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
Two-way road, without central divider | 80 km/h | 80 km/h |
Agglomeration | 50 km/h | 50 km/h |
However, the local traffic authority may fix at 90 km/h (instead of 80 km/h) the maximum speed permitted on sections of two-way roads without a central divider which depend on its competence.
Please note
The local traffic authority can reduce these speeds.
In rainy weather or other precipitation
Taxiway | In rainy weather |
|---|---|
Motorway | 110 km/h |
2-carriageway road separated by 1 central median | 100 km/h |
Section of road with at least 2 lanes assigned to the same direction of travel | 80 km/h |
Two-way road, without central divider | 80 km/h |
Agglomeration | 50 km/h |
However, the local traffic authority may fix at 90 km/h (instead of 80 km/h) the maximum speed permitted on sections of two-way roads without a central divider which depend on its competence.
Please note
The local traffic authority can reduce these speeds.
In case of visibility less than 50 m
Taxiway | Visibility less than 50 m |
|---|---|
Motorway | 50 km/h |
2-carriageway road separated by 1 central median | 50 km/h |
Section of road with at least 2 lanes assigned to the same direction of travel | 50 km/h |
Two-way road, without central divider | 50 km/h |
Agglomeration | 50 km/h |
Please note
The local traffic authority can reduce these speeds.
Penalties vary depending on the extent of speeding.
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Speeding below 5 km/h
The penalty varies according to the maximum speed allowed.
Maximum authorized speed greater than 50 km/h
Speeding less than 5 km/h when the maximum permitted speed is greater than 50 km/h is a contravention of 3e class.
You have to pay a flat-rate fine from €68.
No points are removed from your driving license.
Maximum authorized speed not exceeding 50 km/h
Speeding less than 5 km/h when the maximum permitted speed is less than or equal to 50 km/h is a contravention of 4e class.
You have to pay a flat-rate fine from €135.
No points are removed from your driving license.
Speeding between 5 and 19 km/h
The penalty varies according to the maximum speed allowed.
Maximum authorized speed greater than 50 km/h
Speeding less than 20 km/h when the maximum permitted speed is greater than 50 km/h is a contravention of 3e class.
You have to pay a flat-rate fine from €68.
You lose 1 point on your driver's license.
maximum authorized speed not exceeding 50 km/h
Speeding less than 20 km/h when the maximum permitted speed is less than or equal to 50 km/h is a contravention of 4e class.
You have to pay a flat-rate fine from €135.
You lose 1 point on your driver's license.
Speeding between 20 km/h and 29 km/h
Speeding between 20 km/h and 29 km/h is a contravention of 4e class.
You have to pay a flat-rate fine from €135.
You lose 2 points on your driver's license.
Speeding between 30 km/h and 39 km/h
Speeding between 30 km/h and 39 km/h is a contravention of 4e class.
You have to pay a flat-rate fine from €135.
You lose 3 points on your driver's license.
You also risk additional penalties following:
- Suspension of the permit for a maximum of 3 years, with possible arrangement outside the professional activity
- Prohibition to drive certain vehicles, including vehicles without a license, for a maximum period of 3 years
- Obligation to perform, at your expense, a road safety awareness course.
Speeding between 40 km/h and 49 km/h
Speeding between 40 km/h and 49 km/h is a contravention of 4e class.
You have to pay a flat-rate fine from €135.
You lose 4 points on your driver's license.
You also risk additional penalties following:
- Suspension of the permit for a maximum of 3 years, with possible adaptation outside the professional activity
- Prohibition to drive certain vehicles, including vehicles without a license, for a maximum period of 3 years
- Obligation to perform, at your expense, a road safety awareness course.
Speeding exceeding 50 km/h or more
Speeding greater than or equal to 50 km/h is a offense punished by a penalty of 3 months in prison maximum and by one fine up to €3,750 of a fine.
Your vehicle can be immobilized and impounded upon authorization of the prefect or public prosecutor.
6 points shall be withdrawn from the driving license.
You also risk additional penalties following:
- Confiscation of your vehicle. Confiscation is mandatory in case of recurrence. The court may, however, refrain from imposing that penalty by a specially reasoned decision
- Suspension a driving license for a maximum of 3 years, without any possibility of adjustment outside the professional activity
- Prohibition to drive certain vehicles for a maximum of 5 years
- Obligation to perform, at your expense, a road safety awareness course
- Cancelation of the permit and prohibition to apply for a new permit for a maximum of 3 years.
The possession, transport and use of a radar detector is forbidden.
You risk a fine up to €1,500.
6 points shall be withdrawn from the driving license.
The radar detector is captured. If placed, adapted or applied to the vehicle, the vehicle shall be seized.
You also risk additional penalties following:
- Suspension of driving license for a maximum of 3 years. The suspension may be limited to driving outside the professional activity.
- Confiscation of the vehicle when the radar warning device is placed, adapted or applied to the vehicle.
You must adapt your speed depending on the condition of the road, traffic difficulties, particularly on the tracks adjacent, and foreseeable obstacles.
You must reduce your speed in particular in the following situations:
- When passing or passing pedestrians, including those who have left a vehicle or cyclists alone or in groups
- When passing or passing any vehicle, stationary or traveling at low speed on a shoulder, an emergency lane or a roadway, equipped with special lights or whose driver uses his hazard lights
- When passing convoys at standstill
- When passing or passing public transit vehicles or vehicles used for the transport of children, at the time of descent and climb of passengers
- In all cases where the road does not appear completely clear, or may be slippery
- When visibility conditions are insufficient (rain and other precipitation, fog, etc.)
- In the bends
- In the fast descents
- In sections of narrow or congested roads or bordered by dwellings
- Approaching rib tops and intersections where visibility is not ensured
- When using special lighting devices and in particular your dipped beam headlamps
- When crossing or passing animals.
Failure to comply with these rules is a contravention of 4e class sanctioned by a flat-rate fine from €135.
You must not do not interfere with the normal operation of other vehicles traveling at an abnormally reduced speed without valid reason.
Thus, on motorwayHowever, if you are using the leftmost lane, you must travel at least 80 km/h when traffic is fluid and weather conditions are good.
Failure to comply with these rules is a contravention of 2e class sanctioned by a flat-rate fine from €35.
On the same subject
Powers of the Mayor in respect of traffic
Maximum authorized speed set by the local authority (article L3221-4-1)
Excess speed of 50 km/h or more and
General principles of circulation
Maximum permitted speeds
Control of speed
FAQ
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Ministry of the Interior
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Ministry of the Interior