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quoteThe new speed limits in France have generated some uncertainties for drivers and the French police. We’ve investigated and found that in typically government and indeed French style, the new code is complex, long and in legal jargon but we’ve summarised it below.
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.
There is an element of confusion amongst the French authorities on whether 80 and 90 “speed” stickers should be displayed on the rear of the vehicle, including motorhomes, towing at the lower limits. It appears that the stickers are not mandatory, but the speed limits are compulsory.
What is the Gross Train Mass?
In general terms, this is the gross vehicle weight of your car plus its towing limit. The information can be found in the owner’s handbook, on a plate on the vehicle or ask your vehicle’s manufacturer.
What is the Gross Train Weight?
This is the laden weight of the caravan (or trailer) plus the laden weight of the towing vehicle.
What is the Gross Vehicle Weight?
It is the weight of the vehicle, loaded with luggage and passengers to its maximum permitted capacity.
Where do I find this information?
In your vehicle’s handbook or ask your retailer or manufacturer.
Where do I find the weight of my caravan, motorhome or trailer?
In the handbook or ask your retailer or manufacturer.
Weight restrictions apply when caravanning in France:
For caravans (and motorhomes) under 3.5 tonnes, the limit is 50kmh in built up areas, 90kmh on single carriageway /trunk roads, 110 kmh on dual carriageways and 130kmh motorways.
For caravans (and motorhomes) over 3.5 tonnes the limits are a little different. It’s 50kmh in built up areas, 80kmh on single carriageway /trunk roads, 90 kmh on dual carriageways and 90kmh on motorways.
Sorry have I misinterpreted your speed restrictions. Solo Motorhomes over 3.5 tonnes
Section 11
Reads 110 / 100 / 80 / 50
At the end it reads weight restrictions in France over 3.5 tonnes
90 / 90 80 / 50
Trying to keep my licence clean and my wallet intact
(A true Scot).
As stated be someone earlier driving licenses are indeed important. It is worth investigating B, B+E entitlements. Also dates of license acquisition by our younger co-drivers. Often they can drive a small car light trailer combination on a B license without having to take the B+E test. If they are still in their two year probation period special conditions apply; in some EU countries the probation period is extended to three years. I often see old UK trailers in poor condition in EU countries; if trailers have brakes fitted they must be fully serviceable even if they are less than 750kg. Small trailers are exempt from having brakes, however if they do they must work. Do watch the ‘wet road rule’. This applies when there is visible tyre spray, caused, say, by water from fields long after rain stopped and the sun came out. Drive to arrive.
This says it was posted on 17/8/2010 but seems to include the July 2018 update. Is it current today? – as it truly is the most helpful and well presented explanation I’ve been able to find. Including from the ‘clubs’!
Thanks James. Yes we updated the speed limits which were introduced in July.
Is a 3500kg plated motorhome under or over when it comes to speed limits
Motorhome legislation relates to “up to 3500kg” – so 3501kg would be captured in any restriction. This often applies if you’ve had your base vehicle upgraded.
thanks Lucie,
I received this email from the caravan club this morning it seems the every one has a deferent idea of what the law is in this case,
Dear Mr Budge
Thank you very much for your recent enquiry.
I can confirm that our information is correct, I have confirmed it with the legal department of the Automobile Club de France (ACF) and a motorcycle policeman that I met in France earlier this year.
If you are a solo motorhome (not towing a trailer/car/caravan etc..) and the weight of your motorhome is over 3.5t and under 12t then the following speed limits apply:
Motorway: 110kmph
Priority road/dual carriageways: 100kph
Other roads: 80kph
If you are towing anything behind your motorhome the following limits will apply:
Motorway: 90kmph
Priority road/dual carriageways: 90kph – but if the total weight is over 12t then it reduces to 80kph
Other roads: 80kph – but if the total weight is over 12t the then it reduces to 60kph.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you require any further assistance.
Best Regards
Travel Service Information Officer
The Caravan Club
East Grinstead House
East Grinstead
West Sussex
RH19 UA
Direct Dial: +44 (0) 1342 336766
http://www.caravanclub.co.uk
Thanks John. Clearly there’s need for clarification on this topic. I’ll do some investigating. Thanks
Caravan Guard
can you tell me which is correct my motorhome 5 tons you say I can drive on the French motorways at 110kph yet when I was stopped by the French police on the 6/8/2014 they said it’s only 90kph and 80kph on other roads
Hi John,
Thanks for getting in touch.
I referred your query to our specialist leisure vehicle security adviser Tim Booth who tells us that weight restrictions do apply when caravanning in France.
For caravans (and motrohomes) under 3.5 tonnes, the limit is 50kmh in built up areas, 90kmh on single carriageway /trunk roads, 110 kmh on dual carriageways and 130kmh motorways.
For caravans (and mortorhomes) over 3.5 tonnes the limits are a little different. It’s 50kmh in built up areas, 80kmh on single carriageway /trunk roads, 90 kmh on dual carriageways and 90kmh on motorways.
I hope this helps – I’ve added this information to the article in case anyone else had a similar query.
Many thanks
Lucie
The French system is a good one, One can find all the information in the car handbook and it assumes the car & caravan are fully laden.Any caravan is capable of de-stabilising the towing vehicle whether the car is large or small or the caravan is heavy or light.
Dear Sir.
Apart from the legal requirements above for speed limits have you thought about the driving licence requirements for vehicle and trailer gross weights over 3.5 tons?
Very well presented, easy to understand considering the complexity of the subject. Thank you very much.
So, if I get this straight. If I have a heavy car for example, the volvo mentioned above, and a nice light 2 berth caravan. that only weights say, 900kg, the size of the caravan and it’s weight is basically ignored and the speed limit is based on the maximum PERMISSIBLE towing weight of the car limiting the top speed to 90kph yet I could also tow a caravan that weighs say 1500kg on a car weighing 1500kg (providing the car can tow it) even though the outfit would be normally unsafe at speeds up to 130kph?? hmmm a lot of wine was consumed at that meeting.