Advisory speedFrance

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of France. Learn about driving, road safety and much more in our illustrated book, with answers to frequently asked questions.

For informational purposes only. Always follow official regulations. Some content and images were created with AI assistance.


8. Advisory speed

An advisory speed is a recommended speed for a particular road section or hazard rather than a legally imposed maximum speed. It may be shown near bends, junctions, steep gradients, roadworks or other locations where a lower speed can help drivers negotiate the road safely.

Drivers should treat an advisory speed as guidance for safe driving conditions and should travel even more slowly when weather, visibility, traffic or road conditions require it. A separate legally binding speed limit must still be obeyed.

Advisory speed
Advisory speed of 30 km/h in front of a dead end street. (Rhône, France)
Wikimedia.org • Sebleouf • CC BY-SA
What does an advisory-speed sign mean in France?

The blue square sign indicates a recommended speed in km/h. Official French wording is Vitesse conseillée. It differs from the circular red-bordered sign imposing a maximum.

🔗 equipementsdelaroute.cerema.fr • French IISR part5, indications and services, September2025 consolidation — IISR5 Article70-2, C4a recommended speed and C4b end; distinct from B14.

🔗 equipementsdelaroute.cerema.fr • French road-sign order, Article 5-8, signs EB10 and EB20

Advisory speed limit. Advisory speed limit.

English • Traffic sign C4a • Recommended speed. This sign indicates the advised speed where conditions permit and no lower limit applies to the vehicle category. Drivers must remain in control of their speed in all circumstances, in accordance with article R. 413-17 of the Highway Code.

Français • Panneau C4a • Vitesse conseillée. Ce panneau indique la vitesse à laquelle il est conseillé de circuler si les circonstances le permettent et si l'usager n'est pas tenu de respecter une vitesse inférieure spécifique à la catégorie de véhicule qu'il conduit. En toutes circonstances, l'usager doit rester maître de sa vitesse, conformément à l'article R. 413-17 du code de la route.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Equipementsdelaroute.cerema.fr • Arrêté du 24 novembre 1967

© Roulex 45 et les contributeurs Wikimedia • CC BY-SA 3.0 • SVG original non modifié.

Image via Commons.wikimedia.org
Roulex 45 self-made from source above • CC BY-SA 3.0 • Source revision 2013-04-27. Wikimedia original unmodified.

End of the advisory speed limit. End of the advisory speed limit.

English • Traffic sign C4b • End of recommended speed.

Français • Panneau C4b • Fin de vitesse conseillée.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Equipementsdelaroute.cerema.fr • Arrêté du 24 novembre 1967

© Roulex 45 et les contributeurs Wikimedia • CC BY-SA 3.0 • SVG original non modifié.

Image via Commons.wikimedia.org
Roulex 45 self-made from source above • CC BY-SA 3.0 • Source revision 2013-04-27. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Can an advisory speed override a lower legal limit in France?

No. A recommendation does not authorise exceeding an applicable legal maximum, including a lower vehicle-specific limit. Follow the binding restriction and use a still lower speed if the hazard or conditions require it.

🔗 legifrance.gouv.fr • French Road Code — R413-1–5, R413-17–19; 1967 order article 5 C4a/C4b

Must I maintain an advisory speed in poor conditions in France?

No. A recommendation is not a compulsory minimum or a guarantee that its number is safe in all conditions. Reduce speed for poor grip, restricted visibility, traffic or another hazard, and retain control of the vehicle.

🔗 legifrance.gouv.fr • French Road Code — R413-1–5, R413-17–19; 1967 order article 5 C4a/C4b

What does France’s end-of-advisory-speed sign mean?

The official wording is Fin de vitesse conseillée. It ends the indicated recommendation, rather than a regulatory speed limit. Continue to obey any applicable maximum and choose a speed suitable for the road.

🔗 equipementsdelaroute.cerema.fr • French IISR part5, indications and services, September2025 consolidation — IISR5 Article70-2, C4a recommended speed and C4b end; distinct from B14.

🔗 equipementsdelaroute.cerema.fr • French road-sign order, Article 5-8, signs EB10 and EB20

1 France 2 Motorway 3 Expressway 4 Residential area 5 Zone 6 Speed limit 7 Minimum speed 8 Advisory speed 9 Footpath 10 Bike path 11 Pedestrian warning 12 Tunnel 13 Bridge 14 Cycling street 15 Pedestrian zone 16 Speed bump 17 Toll road 18 Customs 19 One-way traffic 20 Quay 21 Slope 22 Bus lane 23 Bus stop 24 Dead end 25 Stop sign 26 Give way 27 Roundabout 28 Priority road 29 Road narrowing 30 Priority over oncoming traffic 31 Give way to oncoming traffic 32 Pedestrian crossing 33 Railway crossing 34 Mandatory direction 35 Turn prohibition 36 School area 37 Overtaking 38 Crossing animals 39 Slippery road 40 Rockfall 41 Aircraft 42 Curve 43 Chevron 44 Wrong-way driving 45 Roadworks 46 Crosswind 47 Height limit 48 Width limit 49 Length limit 50 Weight limit 51 Radar speed sign 52 Selective barriers 53 Low-emission zone 54 Priority at the next junction 55 Traffic lights 56 Traffic lights warning 57 Pedestrian lights 58 Road markings 59 Junction layout 60 Bike box 61 Speed feedback 62 Driving licence 63 Location marker 64 Road number 65 Countdown markers 66 Public toilet 67 Rest area 68 Traffic mirror 69 Emergency telephone 70 International border 71 Cycling route 72 End of restriction 73 Parking 74 No parking 75 No stopping 76 Parallel parking 77 Alternate-side parking 78 Parking meter 79 Parking disc 80 Disabled parking 81 Traffic management 82 Merging 83 Reversing 84 U-turn 85 Carpool 86 Traffic jam 87 Uncontrolled crossroad 88 Road surface 89 Ring road 90 Exit 91 Information point 92 Horse riding 93 Provisional licence 94 Hazardous cargo 95 Emergency exit 96 Runaway truck ramp 97 Radio service 98 Oversize load 99 Lane 100 Tyre inflation station ...