Motorway driving

Characteristics of the motorway

The motorway is a fast road made up of single-direction carriageways separated by a central reservation. It has no intersections and does not pass through built-up areas. It is identified by its blue sign and the letter 'A' followed by a number. Certain users are not permitted: pedestrians, cyclists, moped riders, microcars, agricultural tractors and unregistered vehicles. Their low speed would pose a danger to others.

Entering the motorway: the acceleration lane

Entry takes place in two stages. First, you take a slip road, often curved and with a speed limit. Then you accelerate in the merging lane to approach the speed of the traffic. This lane always ends with a 'Give Way': you therefore do not have priority over vehicles already on the motorway.

During merging, activate your indicator, check your mirrors and blind spot, then choose the right moment to slot into the flow. If the lane is congested, adjust your speed to find a gap, but never stop in the merging lane except in an emergency.

Driving on the motorway

In normal driving, always use the right-hand lane. The left-hand lanes are only for overtaking. On a three-lane carriageway, vehicles over 3.5 tonnes or over 7 metres long may not use the left-hand lane. To use this lane, you must be travelling at a minimum of 80 km/h.

Overtaking is only permitted on the left. Before overtaking, check your mirrors and blind spot several times, activate your indicator and keep it on throughout the manoeuvre. Move back when the overtaken vehicle appears entirely in your interior mirror. On a motorway, you may overtake several vehicles in one go.

Speeds and limits

Maximum speeds on the motorway vary according to conditions. In dry weather, the general limit is 130 km/h (110 km/h on peri-urban sections). In rain or for a driver in the probationary period, these limits are lowered to 110 km/h and 100 km/h respectively. When visibility drops below 50 metres, the maximum speed becomes 50 km/h regardless of the section.

Strictly prohibited manoeuvres

On the motorway, certain actions are formally prohibited and result in immediate licence suspension: making a U-turn, reversing (even on the hard shoulder), driving on the hard shoulder to overtake, or crossing the central reservation. If you miss your exit, continue to the next one.

Leaving the motorway

The exit is prepared in advance. Move back to the right-hand lane as soon as you spot the exit signs, activate your indicator and only begin to slow down once you are in the deceleration lane. The limit there is often 90 km/h, sometimes 70 or even 50 km/h: check the signs. After a long high-speed journey, your perception of speed is distorted: check your speedometer regularly.

Breakdown and emergency stop

In the event of a breakdown, switch on your hazard lights, slow down and pull onto the hard shoulder or an emergency lay-by. Put on your high-visibility vest and stand behind the safety barriers. On a motorway, it is too dangerous to place the warning triangle. Contact the emergency services via the emergency phones located every 2 km: they allow precise location.

Toll booths and rest areas

Most motorways have toll booths. You generally take a ticket at the entrance and pay at the exit, according to the distance and vehicle category. Identify the open lanes (green arrow) and closed ones (red cross). Do not confuse the 'T' logo for ticket collection with the orange 'T' for electronic tolling: the latter allows you to pass without stopping, provided you do not exceed 30 km/h. If you find yourself in the wrong toll lane, never reverse: switch on your hazard lights and use the intercom to contact staff.

For long journeys, take a break of at least 15 minutes every 2 hours. Simple rest areas offer a space to relax and have a picnic, whilst service areas also provide filling stations, restaurants and play areas. Fatigue and drowsiness are responsible for a third of fatal motorway accidents: at the slightest sign of tiredness, stop.