Support us

Ring roadFrance

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.

Traffic signs
Traffic rules
France

89. Ring road

A ring road is a road or connected system of roads that runs around or partly around a city, town or urban area. It is designed to distribute traffic between different parts of the area and to allow through traffic to bypass congested central streets.

A ring road is not necessarily a motorway or expressway. It may consist of motorways, divided highways, ordinary roads or a combination of different road types. The applicable speed limits, access restrictions, priority rules and lane rules therefore depend on the individual section and the local traffic signs and regulations.

Ring road
Sign indicating ring road A46. Start of a motorway in 300 metres. (Rhône, France)
Wikimedia.org • Sebleouf • CC BY-SA
What is a ring road?

A ring road is a road or connected route that runs around or partly around an urban area and helps distribute traffic between different destinations without requiring all traffic to pass through the centre.

🔗 wetten.overheid.nl • Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals, Annex 1, section G, directions and temporary detours; sign-system reference

🔗 wetten.overheid.nl • Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, Articles 13–14 and 25; international framework subject to national law

🔗 gov.uk • Great Britain Highway Code, Rules 259 and 263–274; national guidance example

What is the speed limit on a ring road?

There is no universal ring-road speed limit. The applicable speed depends on the country, road classification, location and posted traffic signs.

🔗 wetten.overheid.nl • Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals, Annex 1, section G, directions and temporary detours; sign-system reference

🔗 wetten.overheid.nl • Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, Articles 13–14 and 25; international framework subject to national law

🔗 gov.uk • Great Britain Highway Code, Rules 259 and 263–274; national guidance example

What should you do if you miss an exit on a ring road?

Continue safely to the next suitable junction or exit. Never reverse, make an unsafe U-turn or cross restricted areas in an attempt to return to a missed exit.

🔗 wetten.overheid.nl • Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals, Annex 1, section G, directions and temporary detours; sign-system reference

🔗 wetten.overheid.nl • Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, Articles 13–14 and 25; international framework subject to national law

🔗 gov.uk • Great Britain Highway Code, Rules 259 and 263–274; national guidance example

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 ...