Driving in france...is there any way I can practice?

Question

I'm driving abroad for the first time in September and getting a bit nervous about it.

Have read some other answers on here with people saying it's not that bad but I wondered if there was some way to practice to put my mind at ease?

Some kind of french driving simulator / computer game would be ideal. Does anyone know of any?

Answer 1

Go for a drive around Turin or Barcelona - after them, France is a doddle.

Answer 2

Take it steady, once you have gone around your first 'roundabout' the wrong way you will find the rest easy. Be careful when leaving shopping centres/hotel car parks for the first time, it is easy to 'revert' to UK mode.

Remember you need all original driving doscuments (including both parts of your lcence) + spare bulb kit + warning triangle + yellow reflective waist coat which MUST be carried in the passenger area of your car (suggest you drape over the back of the drivers seat). Also rember that France has a LOT of static and fixed speed detection cameras - some disguised as rubbish bins + cameras for traffic lights and stop signs. The first aid kit is not compulsory

Take it slow and easy and you will be fine.

Answer 3

you don't have to worry, when you get out of the boat, you will just have to follow the other cars and you'll quick get used driving on the right... I came to England and got used very quick and it's a lot of fun!

Answer 4

I have found that the biggest problem was returning to the UK and trying to drive on the right.

Having spent a month concentrating hard about driving on the right it was difficult to break the habit.

Answer 5

take it easy! lots of signposts when exiting ferry terminal, just in case you forget where you are.don't forget to convert headlight beams & carry spare bulbs & first aid kit.have a nice time & drive safely!

Answer 6

Just take your time and don't let other motorists rush you.

Answer 7

Having lived in France for years, I'll make one simple suggestion:  Just do it.  Even in the US driving rules do change from state to state (being allowed to make a right turn after yeilding at a red light for example).  But we dont overthink it when driving across state lines.

The only two pieces of advice I would give you are these:

1- The French driver tends NOT to give adequate spacing between vehicles.  So (especially if you are driving in the city) please understand that allowing a "normal" amount of room between you and the car ahead of you will translate to an invitation for any car to merge in between you.  Frustrating; but true.

2- Yeild priority to cars coming from the right, always.  Unless of course there is a red light, stop sign, etc giving you priority.  This means that if you are on a main road and there is a smaller road intersecting yours (on your right hand side)... any car coming in from the right hand side will have priority.  This includes smaller roads, etc.  This takes a bit of getting used to; but you'll do fine.

So in summary: Priority to the right, and be stingy with the space you leave between you and the car in front of you unless you want company between you.

Use extra caution, relax and you'll be fine :-)