Speed feedbackFrance

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.


61. Speed feedback

Speed feedback is a traffic-safety system that measures an approaching vehicle's speed and displays it back to the driver. The display may show the measured speed together with a message, colour or symbol indicating whether the vehicle is travelling within the applicable speed limit.

Speed feedback displays are intended primarily to make drivers aware of their speed and encourage them to slow down when necessary. They normally serve a preventive or educational purpose rather than establishing a new speed limit.

Speed feedback
Vehicle speed-feedback display. (France)
Wikimedia.org • Julien Bertrand • CC0
What does a speed-feedback display show drivers in France?

A French speed-feedback display can show the approaching vehicle’s measured speed. When the permitted speed is exceeded, the prescribed display gives an alert, which may be accompanied by that speed or a danger warning. The reading is indicative: check your own speed and obey the applicable legal limit.

🔗 equipementsdelaroute.cerema.fr • French road-sign order, Article 5-8, signs EB10 and EB20 — Current Order Article10-A individual indicative speed reading/alert; current IISR9 Articles163/191 alerts; Cerema radar-pedagogique report verifies awareness rather than sanction role. Historical study is not used to assert a current blanket smiley prohibition.

🔗 equipementsdelaroute.cerema.fr • Cerema current IISR part 9 consolidation

🔗 doc.cerema.fr • Cerema, radar pédagogique definition, permitted displays and no sanction role

Does the number on a speed-feedback board set the legal speed limit in France?

Normally no. A reading showing your measured speed is not itself a new regulatory limit. The limit comes from applicable laws and legally prescribed fixed or variable speed-limit signs; a separate enforceable speed sign must still be obeyed.

🔗 equipementsdelaroute.cerema.fr • French road-sign order, Article 5-8, signs EB10 and EB20 — Current Order Article10-A individual indicative speed reading/alert; current IISR9 Articles163/191 alerts; Cerema radar-pedagogique report verifies awareness rather than sanction role. Historical study is not used to assert a current blanket smiley prohibition.

🔗 equipementsdelaroute.cerema.fr • Cerema current IISR part 9 consolidation

🔗 doc.cerema.fr • Cerema, radar pédagogique definition, permitted displays and no sanction role

Is every speed-feedback board an enforcement camera in France?

No. Many feedback signs are installed for education and speed awareness. Speed enforcement may occur separately or nearby, so do not assume there is no enforcement; observe the legal limit regardless of whether you see a camera.

🔗 equipementsdelaroute.cerema.fr • French road-sign order, Article 5-8, signs EB10 and EB20 — Current Order Article10-A individual indicative speed reading/alert; current IISR9 Articles163/191 alerts; Cerema radar-pedagogique report verifies awareness rather than sanction role. Historical study is not used to assert a current blanket smiley prohibition.

🔗 equipementsdelaroute.cerema.fr • Cerema current IISR part 9 consolidation

🔗 doc.cerema.fr • Cerema, radar pédagogique definition, permitted displays and no sanction role

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 ...