ExpresswayFrance

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.


3. Expressway

An expressway is a road intended to carry through traffic efficiently, usually at higher speeds than ordinary roads. Expressways often have limited access, multiple lanes, separated carriageways or grade-separated junctions, but their design and legal status vary between countries.

An expressway is not always a motorway. It may have intersections, traffic lights or direct access, and the permitted road users, speed limits and special rules depend on local signs and regulations.

Start of a road reserved for motor vehicles on the D903, with bicycles and mopeds prohibited. (Cranves-Sales, Haute-Savoie, France)
Wikimedia.org • Marc Mongenet • CC BY-SA
How do people refer to an expressway in France?

The legal French term is route à accès réglementé. Access is restricted to designated entry points. The legal classification can also exclude particular categories of road user or vehicle; check the restrictions on the road you enter.

🔗 legifrance.gouv.fr • Légifrance, Road Infrastructure Code, Articles L151-1 and L151-2

Start of an expressway. Start of an expressway.

English • Traffic sign C107 • Road with regulated access.

Français • Panneau C107 • Route à accès réglementé.

Sources

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

© Gigillo83 et les contributeurs Wikimedia • CC BY-SA 4.0 • SVG original non modifié.

Image via Commons.wikimedia.org
Gigillo83 • CC BY-SA 4.0 • Source revision 2010-07-10. Wikimedia original unmodified.

End of the expressway. End of the expressway.

English • Traffic sign C108 • End of road with regulated access. This sign marks the end of the corresponding requirements.

Français • Panneau C108 • Fin de route à accès réglementé. Ce panneau indique la fin des prescriptions correspondantes.

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 2011-08-06. Wikimedia original unmodified.

What speed limit applies to cars on an expressway in France?

On a non-motorway road with physically separated carriageways, the usual car maximum outside built-up areas is 110 km/h, reduced to 100 km/h in rain. Other layouts have different limits. Follow signs and any lower novice-driver or vehicle limit.

🔗 legifrance.gouv.fr • French Road Code — Code de la voirie routière L151-1–2; R413-2

🔗 service-public.gouv.fr • Service Public — car speed limits, rain, visibility and probationary drivers

Who may use an expressway in France?

Check the restrictions for the particular road. Under Article R151-2, the order conferring expressway status lists the categories of vehicles or users permanently prohibited on all or part of that route. Follow the applicable entry controls.

🔗 legifrance.gouv.fr • Légifrance, Road Infrastructure Code, Articles R151-1 to R151-3, expressway classification and excluded users

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 ...