International Road Transport Operations in France
Operational Activities
Cabotage
UK hauliers may carry goods to, through or from the country, goods can also be carried from France to a third country and vice versa if
permitted by the terms of any agreement between the three countries. Cabotage is permitted.
Dangerous Goods
France is a party to ADR, however, there are restrictions on the movement of Dangerous Goods on bridges and in tunnels.
Restrictions are applicable in the following areas, fines for any contravention are heavy:
- Region of Haute Savoie
- Coastal Roads of Lake Geneva (Lac Leman)
- All Alpine Tunnels
- Saturday and days preceeding a Public Holiday
Abnormal Loads
Special authorisations are required for all abnormal load movements which exceed French vehicle dimensions (including weight). Applications
for authorisations must be made to the 'Directorate of Equipment' of the prefecture of entry into France and every prefecture where
the load is to move through en route to its destination.
Abnormal loads cannot move if the weather conditions include snow, ice and fog or when visibility is below 150 metres.
Customs
TIR carnets are accepted for vehicles crossing France. ATA Carnets are accepted for certain temporary imports. CMR documents should be
used at all times.
Movement Restrictions
There is a general ban which applies all year long, to the entire national road network. The ban affects all vehicles with a maximum
authorised weight exceeding 7.5 tonnes. Restrictions apply as follows:
- Saturday 22:00 until Sunday 22:00;
- The day prior to public holidays from 22:00
- Public Holidays to 22:00
| Public Holidays | |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 2012 |
|
|
Vehicle/Load Exemptions
Transport operations that are exempt from requiring special authorisation include goods carried that fall under the categories listed below;
- Vehicles transporting, to the exclusion of all else, live animals or perishable goods or foodstuffs, provided that the quantity of
goods constitutes at least half of the truck's payload or occupies at least half of the loading surface or volume of the vehicle. In the
case of multiple deliveries, these minimum loading conditions no longer apply beyond the first point of delivery provided that further
deliveries occur within a zone restricted to the region of origin of the first delivery point and the neighbouring departments or the
region of origin of the first delivery point and adjacent regions within a distance of 150 kilometres.
a) The vehicles concerned are not subject to minimum load conditions and may travel empty if their movements consist of loading operations restricted to a zone consisting of the region of origin and its neighbouring departments or the region of origin and adjacent regions within a distance of 150 kilometres.
b) Vehicles transporting racehorses are not subject to minimum load conditions.
c) Vehicles which have been used to transport homing pigeons are authorised to travel empty throughout the road network.
d) Perishable goods and products: eggs; live fish, crustaceans and shellfish; foodstuffs requiring refrigeration; frozen and deep frozen foodstuffs, in particular meat products, seafood, milk and dairy products, egg-based products, yeast and vegetable products including refrigerated fruit juices and ready-to-use chopped raw vegetables; all foodstuffs which must be kept warm; fresh fruit and vegetables, including potatoes, onions and garlic; cut flowers, and potted plants and flowers; honey; animal carcasses. - Vehicles engaged in the seasonal collection and transport of agricultural produce from the place of harvesting to the place of storage, processing, packaging or transformation, within an area made up of the region of origin and the neighbouring departments or the region of origin and adjacent regions within a distance of 150 kilometres.
- Vehicles engaged in the seasonal transport of beet pulp from the processing plant to the place of storage or use. These vehicles may not use the motorway network.
- Vehicles whose load is indispensable for the installation of economic, sporting, cultural, educational or political events which have been duly authorised, on condition that the said event is to take place on the same day or, at the latest, on the day following the transport.
- Vehicles transporting fireworks, the use of which has been duly authorised for the same day or the following day.
- Vehicles transporting hydrocarbon gas mixture, liquefied, NOS, UN1965, or petroleum products, UN 1202, 1203, 1223, necessary for duly authorised sporting competitions, on condition that the event justifying the transport operation is to be held on the same day as or, at the latest, the day after the transport operation.
- Vehicles transporting newspapers and magazines only.
- Vehicles carrying out office or factory removals in an urban area.
- Vehicles specially equipped for the itinerant sale of the goods transported, within an area made up of the region of origin and the neighbouring departments or the region of origin and adjacent regions within a distance of 150 kilometres.
- Vehicles belonging to tradesmen and which are used for the sale of their produce at fairs or markets within an area made up of the region of origin and the neighbouring departments or of the region of origin and adjacent regions within a distance of 150 kilometres.
- Vehicles used for the transport of air freight, under cover of an air waybill.
- Vehicles used for the transport of hospital waste or goods necessary for the operation of medical establishments.
- Vehicles transporting medical gases.
- Vehicles transporting industrial gamma radiography equipment.
Regional Movement Prohibitions
There are numerous additional movement prohibitions which exist for vehicles 7.5 tonnes and above. These restrictions are regional and
apply to specific roads. The link to the pdf file below has comprehensive details of these restrictions, indicating the regions and roads
that are affected.
Road, Tunnel & Bridge Tolls
Road Tolls
French Motorway companies have (from January 2007) introduced the electronic device TIS-PL, which has replaced the previously used
Caplis card. The TIS-PL electronic device is issued against the trucks registration number, which allows the vehicle to cross France
without stopping to pay road, tunnel or bridge tolls.
The term TIS-PL refers to the French electronic toll system for class 3 and 4 HGVs. Modelled on the 'Liber-t' system
designed for light vehicles in France, the TIS-PL system is a badge which is fitted to the windscreen which simplifies toll payments
(motorways, tunnels, bridges etc).
This system heralds the use of electronic toll facilities throughout Europe. Initially available for use in France, TIS-PL will
gradually be accepted on motorways across different countries throughout Europe. Although the TIS-PL system is the preferred method of
many operators, for those companies who operate infrequently in France, cash, credit cards and most fuel cards are still accepted as payment.
Road Tolls or Peage booths, operate on some but not all motorways. To determine whether tolls are applicable on a French motorway, look out for the Peage sign on direction boards. Alternatively you can visit the www.autoroutes.fr website which will enable you to plan and cost your route across the French road network as well as keeping abreast of traffic information.
Bridge and Tunnel Tolls
There are a number of road tunnels and bridges in France. The most formidable barrier to negotiate however are the Alps which are home of
the two most famous tunnels in Europe, being that of the Frejus and Mont Blanc Tunnels.
Tunnels
- Frejus (A43) - Connects to A32 M/Way in Italy
- Mont Blanc (A40) - Connects Haute Savoie region (F) to Aosta Valley (I)
- Maurice Lemaire (N59 Lorraine Region) - Connects Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines and Saint-Dié
- Puymorens (N20 Pyrénées Region) - Connects Worn-Puymorens (Pyrénées-Orientales) and L'Hospitalet-près-l'Andorre (Ariège)
Bridges
- Pont de Normandie (A29) - Normandie at the Seine river delta, eastern part of Le Havre, near Honfleur
- Pont de Tancarville (A15) - Tancarville at the Seine river delta
Vehicle Requirements
Documentation
Green Card required, plus original vehicle registration docs. A GB plate must be fitted to rear of vehicle/trailer.
| Maximum Weights & Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Height | There is no fixed height. However, we suggest that operators conform to 4 metres, or plan there vehicles routes accordingly |
| Width | 2.55 metres (Fridges 2.6 metres) |
| Length |
Artic 16.5 metres
Road Train 18.75 metres There are also other maximum lengths on vehicles and trailers according to the number of axles. |
| Weight |
Artic 40 tonnes (ISO containers (40ft) - 44 tonnes)
Road Train 44 tonnes There are also various maximum permitted weights on vehicles, trailers and road trains which are applicable according to the number of axles. |
Safety Equipment
In the best interest of road safety the following compulsory safety equipment or requirements and advise should be adhered to:-
- Warning Triangle
- Seat belts must be worn at all times
- Reflective jackets must be worn (day or night) if driver leaves the cab in the event of accident or breakdown
- Dipped headlights in adverse weather conditions or restricted visibility
- First Aid Kit
- Fire Extinguisher
- The use of snow chains is advisable in snow/icy conditions
Driver Requirements
Legal Documents
Full passport required but no visa required. Full UK driving Licence. Letter from employer giving driver permission to drive vehicle -
Attestation letter and form.
Speed Limits
| Vehicles Concerned | Built-Up Areas (kms) | Outside Built-Up Areas (kms) | Expressways / Dual Carraigeways (kms) |
Motorways (kms)
Max 80 kms in left lane |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Trucks 3.5 tonnes to 12 tonnes | 50 | 80 | 90 | 90 |
| Rigid Truck over 12 tonnes | 50 | 80 | 80 | 90 |
| Artics/Road Trains over 12 tonnes | 50 | 60 | 80 | 90 |
| Dangerous Goods Transport 3.5 tonnes to 12 tonnes | 50 | 80 | 90 | 90 |
| Dangerous Goods Transport over 12 tonnes | 50 | 60 | 70 (Only if ABS fitted) | 80 |
| Indivisible Loads (Cat 1) | 50 | 60 | 60 | 80 |
| Indivisible Loads (Cat 2) | 40 | 60 | 60 | 80 |
| Indivisible Loads (Cat 3) | 30 | 50 | 50 | 60 |
Country Contact Info
British Embassy
35, rue du Faubourg St Honore, 75363 Paris Cedex 08 Paris. Tel: +33 (1) 44 51 31 00 Website:
www.ukinfrance.fco.gov.uk
Transport Organisation
Association Francais du Routier International (AFTRI), 48 rue de la Bienfaisance, 75008 Paris
Tel: +33 (1) 53 53 02 40 Website: www.aftri.com
