I know someone who boasts that he made a lifelong friend of the French driver with whom he collided, when driving on the wrong side of the road, many years ago. Unfortunately it is easier than you think to end up driving on the left, especially when pulling away from petrol stations or restaurants on the left-hand side of the road when instinct tends to take over. Without wishing to sound off-putting, it can be stressful driving in France but there are many compensations and with a little planning it should not be a problem. The best advice is to find out as much as possible about their rules of the road, drive defensively, don't rush and take frequent rests.

Preparing your vehicle

It goes without saying that before leaving the UK you should have the car serviced. If your car is laden down with luggage, check that your tyre pressure is correct and make sure that you do not overload your roof-rack. To avoid dazzling oncoming traffic in France your headlamps must be fitted with deflectors, even if you do not plan to drive at night. If your car does not have Euro-plates you must display a GB sticker.

There are then various items of equipment to think of which are either required by French law or recommended for driving in France. A warning triangle must be carried even though you may think your hazard lights are sufficient, the rationale being that hazard lights are not much good in case of electrical breakdown. Since it is illegal to drive with a broken light a spare set of replacement bulbs is also a must, as are a flash light and first aid kit. Visibility vests are not yet compulsory in France but will give you peace of mind in case of a breakdown at night. Also recommended are a spare set of fuses, spare keys and a fan belt.

It may seem rather over-the-top to suggest taking a car manual with you but several years ago we broke down in an isolated part of Brittany and as the local garage was unable to repair the car in time, we ended up taking a taxi, fortunately at the insurance company's expense, for the 300 mile journey back to the port and the car followed (still not working) at a later date. The problem turned out to be the French mechanic's lack of familiarity with the Ford electronic ignition. Had he had the manual available, complete with diagrams, it would not have been a problem. A mobile telephone is obviously useful but do not be tempted to use it whilst driving as on the spot fines can be imposed.

Paperwork

So long as you have the modern photo licence you do not need a special driving licence for holidaying in France. You must have at least third-party insurance and your insurance company must have been notified. The old green cards are no longer required. You will also need a European accident report form which is available from your insurance company. Your licence and insurance documents must be carried with you in the car at all times as should the car registration document and, if you are not the owner of the car, you must have evidence of permission from the owner. This applies too to company cars. All these documents can be requested by the police at any time and there is no period of grace to produce them. It is obviously advisable to have vehicle recovery insurance and this can be obtained from the AA or RAC and various other organisations.

Speed Limits

Speed limits in France are at times enforced in a draconian fashion (hefty on-the-spot fines payable by cash only, confiscation of your licence and possible prison sentence according to how fast you were driving) so it is vital that you know what they are.

• Motorways – 130 km per hour (110 if wet)
• Dual Carriageways – 110 km per hour (100 if wet)
• Open Road – 90 km per hour (80 if wet)
• Town – 50 km per hour (same when wet)

If you have held your licence for less than two years or are towing a trailer which brings your combination weight over 3.5 tons, the "wet" speed limits apply.

Town speed limits start as soon as you see the town sign and not necessarily when you see the first 50 km per hour sign.

Don't think you can cheat the system by bringing a radar detector. They are illegal in France even when switched off and if you are caught you will not only have it confiscated but you will be banned from driving in France for three years. This could be bad news if you are the only driver as you will have to arrange for your car to be repatriated to the UK. The good news is that speed cameras in France are always well signposted and usually several hundred yards before the actual camera.

Headlights must be switched on in fog, mist or other poor visibility.

Giving way

Unless directed otherwise, give way to traffic on your left. One of the most notorious exceptions to this rule is the Arc de Triomphe roundabout in Paris where you give way to traffic on the right, meaning that cars on the roundabout have to stop to let traffic join. If you see a sign like an upended yellow square beware! This is the infamous "Priorite a droite" sign meaning that you must give way to traffic joining your road from the right, even if you are travelling at speed down the main road. This happens predominantly in villages and country roads but be aware at all times that it is a possibility that someone will come careering out of a side-turning so make sure you are prepared to stop.

Breakdowns and emergencies

If you break down you should pull over on the right, put on your hazard lights and put your warning triangle 30 metres behind the vehicle, making sure that it is clearly visible 100 metres away. The emergency telephone numbers are as follows:-

• Police 17
• Fire service 18
• Ambulance 15
• Local emergency services 112

On motorways there are free emergency phones (orange in colour) every two km but if you do not feel safe leaving your car there are regular patrols who will help you.

Drinking and driving

The best advice is don't! The acceptable limit is much less than in the UK (0.5 mg/ml rather than 0.8 mg/ml) and equates roughly, depending on all sorts of other factors, to two small glasses of wine. All drink driving offences in France now go to court and it is simply not worth taking the risk. One of the joys of self-catering holidays is of course that you can enjoy a relaxing meal at home whilst taking advantage of the very reasonably priced wine, without one of your number having to abstain.

Seat Belts

As in the UK, safety belts are compulsory for front and back seat passengers. Children under 10 must be in the back of the car and if they are between 9kg and 15kg they must have a special child seat. So long as they are more than 15 kg they can use a booster seat.

Parking

It can often be confusing abroad, trying to work out where you are allowed to park and the following phrases may be useful

• Parking gratuit – free parking
• Parking payant – paying parking
• Stattionement interdit – parking forbidden
• Stattionement alterne semi-mensal – alternate side parking (signs showing the numbers 1 to 15 and 16 to 31 mean that you cannot park on that side between these dates)

Parking in a Zone Bleu is permissible only if you have the sticker which is usually sold in a tobacconists or a garage.

Conditions vary from place to place but parking is sometimes permitted between 7pm and 9am (except on market days), public holidays and in the month of Aug. It is not worth risking a fine though if you are in any doubt.

Tolls

On the autoroutes des peage tolls are charged which make this a more expensive way of travelling but probably worth it for the saving in time, danger and frustration as it can often be difficult overtaking on single carriage roads especially with so many lorries. Tickets are issued at the start of the section of motorway that you are using and you pay at the end, either with cash or credit card. The payment booths are of course on the left (apart from some near Calais where there are separate lanes for right hand drive cars) so make sure your front seat passenger has the cash or card ready. Tickets are stamped with the time and the police do sometimes check to see whether you have been speeding.

Useful phrases

• Deviation – diversion
• Chaussee deformee – uneven road
• Cedez le passage – give way
• Allumez vos feux – switch on your headlights
• Serrez a droite – keep right
• Serrez a gauche – keep left
• Sortie – exit
• Toute droite – straight on
• Vous n'avez pas la priorite – you do not have priority
• Priorite a droite – give way to your right