Road surfaceFrance

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

88. Road surface

A road surface warning indicates that the road ahead may be uneven, damaged or in poor condition and could affect the stability, steering or braking of a vehicle. The hazard may include bumps, depressions, potholes, broken pavement or other irregularities in the road surface.

Drivers should reduce speed where necessary, maintain a safe distance and avoid sudden steering or braking when passing over an irregular surface. The exact meaning and appearance of the warning sign vary between countries, so drivers must follow the local traffic signs and regulations.

Uneven road warning sign A2a with supplementary panel M9z for four road depressions. (Arpavon, Drôme, France)
Wikimedia.org • Marc Mongenet • CC BY-SA

What does a road surface warning mean?

A road surface warning indicates that the surface ahead may be uneven, damaged or otherwise capable of affecting the safe movement of vehicles.

What kinds of road defects can the warning indicate?

Depending on the country, it may warn of bumps, depressions, potholes, broken pavement, uneven repairs or other surface irregularities.

What should you do when you see a road surface warning?

Reduce speed where necessary, increase your awareness of the road ahead and be prepared for changes in the vehicle's stability or direction.

Does a road surface warning impose a specific speed limit?

Not normally. A warning sign alerts drivers to a hazard rather than establishing a numerical speed limit. A separate speed-limit sign may be used where a particular maximum speed is required.

Should you brake before reaching an uneven road surface?

Where slowing is necessary, it is generally safer to reduce speed before reaching the irregular surface rather than braking sharply while travelling over it.

Why can an uneven road surface be dangerous?

A severe surface irregularity can affect tyre contact, steering, braking and vehicle stability. It can also damage tyres, wheels or suspension components.

Are motorcycles and bicycles particularly affected by uneven surfaces?

Yes. Two-wheeled vehicles can be particularly sensitive to potholes, ridges and other irregularities because these hazards may disturb their balance or alter their direction suddenly.

Is an uneven-road warning the same as a slippery-road warning?

No. An uneven-road warning concerns the physical condition or shape of the road surface. A slippery-road warning concerns reduced tyre grip caused by the surface or conditions such as water, ice, mud or other substances.

Can the warning apply over a longer section of road?

Yes. A supplementary sign may indicate the distance to the hazard or the length of the affected section, depending on the country's traffic-sign system.

Should you increase your following distance on a poor road surface?

Yes, when conditions require it. Additional distance provides more time to react if the vehicle ahead slows suddenly to avoid a pothole or other surface defect.

Uncontrolled crossroad

Ring road

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 ...