Driving To Your Resort

Driving in France and Spain

You must possess a full current driving licence (provisional licence is not sufficient).
The road networks are of a very good standard. There are over 5,000 miles of motorway (many with tolls) and the rules are very similar to Ireland and the UK.

Things to watch out for!

Drive on the right – Conduire a droit!
The time you are most likely to drive on the wrong side of the road is after you have pulled over to the left for some reason or at a junction– for instance when you pull over to a petrol station at the other side of the road. If for any reason you do this, take special care to remember to return to the right side of the road when you start up again. It is very easy to cross out of a petrol station, which is on the left side of the road, and go straight – on the wrong side! It is particularly easy to do this if there is no traffic on the road when you exit.

Exercise special care at road junctions where you are turning right or left. On a road divided into separate carriageways, turning right you should be taking the nearest lane. Turning left you should be taking the furthest lane. Remember – this can happen to you at any time during your stay especially when you have begun to relax about the idea of driving on the right.Remember that traffic in your direction will be coming at you from the left and not from the right. When you stop make sure that everyone in your party is aware of this when they go to cross the road. It’s “look left, then right, then left again.”

Note that some traffic lights are fitted with a small white flashing arrow for right turns only. If this is flashing but the main traffic light is still red then you may turn right, but you must give priority to the traffic coming from your left (which will have a green light).

When you first begin driving, you will be paying particular attention to direction signs. Be aware that “straight ahead” signposts are positioned different. The “straight ahead” signpost will be positioned at a slight angle (so that you can see it better) – as opposed to being parallel to the road as they are in Ireland. Do not mistake this as an indication to turn off this road.

Please note – any loss of personal baggage stolen from an unattended motor vehicle is not covered by insurance if the items concerned have not been locked out of sight. It is advisable to consult your insurance information booklet for more details.

Here you will find the most up to date information on the motorways of France & Spain. The two websites are in English and have excellent functionality. They can tell you about road works, congested areas, rest stops, tolls and basically help you plan your journey safely. Well worth a visit!

• FRENCH AUTO ROUTES
• SPAINISH AUTO PISTAS