Width limitFrance

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

48. Width limit

A width limit prohibits vehicles or vehicle combinations whose total width exceeds the value shown from entering or passing a road section, bridge, tunnel, gateway or other narrow passage. The width includes the vehicle’s load and any equipment or objects extending from its sides.

Drivers must know the maximum travelling width of their vehicle and load, observe advance warnings and use an alternative route when necessary. They should never enter when sufficient lateral clearance is uncertain.

Width-restriction sign on Rue des Douhaires. (France)
Wikimedia.org • Tabl-trai • CC BY-SA

What does a posted vehicle-width restriction mean in France?

A width restriction limits entry to a passage that cannot legally accommodate vehicles above the indicated width. Look for the local sign near historic centres, tunnels and older bridges and read any advance warning or exception plate. Measurements are generally given in metres.

🔗 legifrance.gouv.fr • French Road Code — R411-25; 1967 order B11–B13

Vehicles wider than indicated prohibited.

English • Traffic sign B11 • No vehicles wider than indicated, including their load.

Français • Panneau B11 • Accès interdit aux véhicules dont la largeur, chargement compris, est supérieure au nombre indiqué.

Sources

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

Image via Commons.wikimedia.org
Roulex 45 • CC BY-SA 4.0 • Source revision 2013-04-26. Wikimedia original unmodified.

How should you check the width of a loaded vehicle in France?

Check the vehicle and any projecting load or equipment. The legal measurement may exclude particular fittings such as mirrors, depending on local rules, but those fittings still need physical space to pass safely. Never assume the statutory measurement guarantees sufficient real-world clearance.

🔗 legifrance.gouv.fr • French Road Code — R411-25; 1967 order B11–B13

Can a driver ignore a width restriction if the road looks wide enough in France?

No. A regulatory width limit must be obeyed unless an applicable exemption or authorised arrangement permits entry. Check your route before driving a wide van, trailer or load through a narrow town, bridge or roadworks section.

🔗 legifrance.gouv.fr • French Road Code — R411-25; 1967 order B11–B13

Height limit

Length limit

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 ...