Priority over oncoming trafficFrance

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.

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Traffic signs

Traffic rules

France

30. Priority over oncoming traffic

Priority over oncoming traffic means that drivers travelling in one direction have priority through a narrow section of road over drivers approaching from the opposite direction. The rule is normally indicated by a priority sign facing one direction and a corresponding give-way sign facing the other.

Drivers with priority must still approach cautiously and must not force their way through when the passage is blocked or already occupied. The signs regulate priority through the narrow section, not speed, parking or priority at nearby intersections.

Priority-over-oncoming-traffic sign. (Cranves-Sales, Haute-Savoie, France)
Wikimedia.org • Marc Mongenet • CC BY-SA

How is priority over oncoming traffic controlled in France?

France’s priority-over-oncoming indication applies to the particular narrow section, with an opposing give-way control for the other direction. Read it separately from a road-narrowing warning and from junction-priority signs.

🔗 legifrance.gouv.fr • French Road Code — R414-1–3, R411-25; 1967 order B15/C18

Road narrowing, oncoming drivers have to give way.

English • Traffic sign C18 • Priority over oncoming traffic.

Français • Panneau C18 • Priorité par rapport à la circulation venant en sens inverse.

Sources

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

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

Can you enter an occupied narrow passage when you have priority in France?

Do not force a conflict. Check the full available width and let a vehicle already committed to the passage clear it when both vehicles cannot pass safely. A priority control does not permit creating danger or disregarding a red signal or authorised instruction.

🔗 legifrance.gouv.fr • French Road Code — R414-1–3, R411-25; 1967 order B15/C18

Does priority through a narrow passage extend to nearby junctions in France?

No. A control releasing your direction or giving priority over opposing traffic concerns that passage. Junction priority, speed limits, crossings and any later restriction must be assessed separately from their own signs and rules.

🔗 legifrance.gouv.fr • French Road Code — R414-1–3, R411-25; 1967 order B15/C18

Road narrowing

Give way to oncoming traffic

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 ...