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Turn prohibitionFrance

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

35. Turn prohibition

A turn prohibition prevents drivers from turning in the direction indicated by a traffic sign. It may prohibit a left turn, a right turn or a U-turn at an intersection or along a specified section of road.

Drivers must continue along a permitted route and follow any lane arrows or mandatory-direction signs. A turn prohibition does not itself determine priority or speed, and any exemption for cyclists, public transport or other road users must be expressly indicated.

No-left-turn sign at the A40–A41 motorway connection. (France)
Wikimedia.org • Marc Mongenet • CC BY-SA
What does a no-turn sign prohibit in France?

It prohibits the left, right or other turn shown at the junction or position controlled by the sign in France. Follow any supplementary panel or authorised direction and choose another legal route.

🔗 legifrance.gouv.fr • French Road Code — R411-25, R412-10, R415-11; 1967 order article 4

Does a no-left-turn sign always prohibit a U-turn in France?

The French B2a sign prohibits turning left at the next junction. The separate B2c sign prohibits U-turns on the road up to the next junction. Check all applicable signs and road controls before considering a U-turn; a left-turn restriction alone is not a complete statement of the controls that apply.

🔗 equipementsdelaroute.cerema.fr • French road-sign order, Article 5-8, signs EB10 and EB20 — Order Article4 B2a next-junction left-turn restriction and B2c U-turn ban until next junction.

🔗 equipementsdelaroute.cerema.fr • Cerema current IISR part 4 consolidation

Turning left prohibited. Turning left prohibited.

English • Traffic sign B2a • No left turn at the next junction.

Français • Panneau B2a • Interdiction de tourner à gauche à la prochaine intersection.

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 • CC BY-SA 3.0 • Source revision 2019-10-04. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Turning around prohibited (U-turn). Turning around prohibited (U-turn).

English • Traffic sign B2c • No U-turns on the road being followed until the next junction.

Français • Panneau B2c • Interdiction de faire demi-tour sur la route suivie jusqu'à la prochaine intersection.

Sources

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

© Roulex 45 et les contributeurs Wikimedia • CC BY-SA 4.0 • SVG original non modifié.

Image via Commons.wikimedia.org
Roulex 45 • CC BY-SA 4.0 • Source revision 2019-10-04. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Can a no-turn restriction apply only to certain vehicles or hours in France?

Yes, where the local sign system provides a supplementary condition or exemption, such as a vehicle class, time or authorised access. Without a valid exception, comply with the prohibited movement shown.

🔗 legifrance.gouv.fr • French Road Code — R411-25, R412-10, R415-11; 1967 order article 4

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 ...