Speed limits in France: the complete table
In France, the general speed limit is 50 km/h in built-up areas, 80 km/h on two-way roads without a central barrier (raised to 90 km/h on some sections), 110 km/h on dual carriageways and 130 km/h on motorways. These limits are lower in the rain and for newly qualified drivers.
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Key points
- Built-up areas 50 km/h (article R413-3 of the French Highway Code), often lowered to 30 km/h; outside built-up areas 80 km/h (R413-2).
- Outside built-up areas, the 80 km/h limit can be raised to 90 km/h on some sections by the local road authority: only the signs on the spot tell you.
- Dual carriageways 110 km/h; motorways 130 km/h, reduced to 110 km/h in the rain.
- Speeds most often enforced by the fixed cameras listed by Vigirota (2 October 2026): 80, 90, 50, 70, 110, then 130 km/h.
What are the speed limits in France?
For a car, the maximum speed depends on the type of road: 50 km/h in built-up areas, 80 km/h on a two-way road without a central barrier, 110 km/h on a road with two carriageways separated by a central reservation, and 130 km/h on motorways. Outside built-up areas, the 80 km/h limit can be raised to 90 km/h on some sections.
These values are set by articles R413-2 and R413-3 of the French Highway Code (code de la route). They apply in dry weather with good visibility, and are reduced in the rain and for drivers on a probationary licence. The table below sums up the general limits.
| Type of road | Maximum speed | Legal reference |
|---|---|---|
| Built-up area | 50 km/h (often lowered to 30 km/h) | Article R413-3 |
| Two-way road without a central barrier | 80 km/h (90 km/h on some sections) | Article R413-2 |
| Section with at least 2 lanes in the same direction | 90 km/h on those lanes | Article R413-2 |
| Dual carriageway (central reservation) | 110 km/h | Article R413-2 |
| Motorway | 130 km/h | Article R413-2 |
General limits for a car in dry weather (French Highway Code, up to date on 4 October 2026).
Why 80 or 90 km/h outside towns?
Since 1 July 2018, the default maximum speed on two-way roads without a central barrier has been 80 km/h. It is the national rule and applies wherever no sign sets a different value. It targets two-way roads, where head-on crashes are the most serious.
Since the mobility law of December 2019, this limit can be raised to 90 km/h on some sections, by decision of the authority in charge of traffic on that road. The change is therefore local: on the same journey you can go from 80 to 90 km/h and back. Only the signs in place count; with no 90 km/h sign, the limit stays at 80 km/h.
What is the speed limit in built-up areas?
In built-up areas, the maximum speed is 50 km/h (article R413-3). A built-up area starts at the sign showing the name of the town or village, and ends at the same sign crossed with a red bar.
Many towns lower the limit to 30 km/h on all or part of their streets. Here again the signs prevail: the speed shown at the roadside overrides the general rule.
Speeds enforced by fixed cameras in France
Among the fixed devices listed by Vigirota that record a speed limit, these are the most common:
| Speed enforced | Cameras |
|---|---|
| 80 km/h | 680 |
| 90 km/h | 609 |
| 50 km/h | 486 |
| 70 km/h | 433 |
| 110 km/h | 272 |
| 130 km/h | 129 |
| 30 km/h | 7 |
| 60 km/h | 4 |
What is the speed limit in the rain or in poor visibility?
In rain or other precipitation, the highest limits are reduced: 110 km/h on motorways and 100 km/h on dual carriageways. On two-way roads without a central barrier the limit stays at 80 km/h, and 50 km/h in built-up areas. When visibility drops below 50 metres (fog, snow, heavy rain), the speed limit is 50 km/h on every road, whatever its type.
| Type of road | Dry weather | Rain / precipitation | Visibility under 50 m |
|---|---|---|---|
| Motorway | 130 km/h | 110 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Dual carriageway | 110 km/h | 100 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Two-way road without a central barrier | 80 km/h | 80 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Built-up area | 50 km/h | 50 km/h | 50 km/h |
Maximum speeds by conditions (article R413-2). Below 50 metres of visibility, the limit is 50 km/h everywhere.
Speed limits for new drivers
French drivers on a probationary licence have lower limits. The probationary period lasts 3 years after passing the test, or 2 years after accompanied driving. The limits are:
- Motorway: 110 km/h.
- Dual carriageway: 100 km/h.
- Other roads (including two-way roads outside towns): 80 km/h.
- Built-up areas: 50 km/h.
Which speeds are enforced most often?
According to the fixed enforcement cameras listed by Vigirota (survey of 2 October 2026), the speed limits most often enforced are, in order, 80, 90, 50, 70, 110 and then 130 km/h. Roads at 80 and 90 km/h outside towns have the largest number of cameras, ahead of 50 km/h in towns.
This ranking only covers fixed devices that measure speed; red-light and level-crossing cameras, which do not enforce a speed limit, are not included. To see the fixed cameras on your route, open Vigirota Maps (maps.vigirota.fr).
What happens if you exceed the limit?
The speed used to define an offence is not the measured speed: a technical margin is deducted first. The details are in speed camera tolerance in France. The penalty is then calculated on that adjusted speed.
The fine depends on how far over the limit you were. The full scale is in speeding fines in France. To be warned of the fixed cameras and the areas to watch on your route, the Vigirota Radar app reads them out as you drive.
Frequently asked questions
What is the speed limit on French main roads?
On a two-way road without a central barrier, the limit is 80 km/h, raised to 90 km/h on some sections. On a dual carriageway it is 110 km/h, and 130 km/h on motorways.
Is the 80 km/h limit still in force in 2026?
Yes. The 80 km/h limit outside built-up areas, in force since 1 July 2018, remains the national rule. Since December 2019 it can be raised to 90 km/h on some sections by local decision.
How do I know whether a road is at 80 or 90 km/h?
Only the signs count. By default, a two-way road without a central barrier is limited to 80 km/h. It is only at 90 km/h if a sign says so on that section; with no sign, the limit stays at 80 km/h.
What is the motorway speed limit in the rain?
In the rain, the motorway limit drops from 130 to 110 km/h, and from 110 to 100 km/h on dual carriageways. If visibility falls below 50 metres, the limit is 50 km/h on all roads.
Are French speed limits shown in km/h?
Yes. All French signs, and all the figures in this guide, are in kilometres per hour. 50 km/h is about 31 mph, 80 km/h about 50 mph, 110 km/h about 68 mph and 130 km/h about 81 mph.
Can towns set a 30 km/h limit?
Yes. The general limit in built-up areas is 50 km/h, but many towns lower it to 30 km/h on all or part of their streets. The limit that applies is the one shown by the signs.
Official sources
- Service-Public — Speed limits (fiche F19460, in French, updated 29/12/2025)
- Légifrance — Article R413-2 of the French Highway Code (in French)
- Sécurité routière — French road safety authority (in French)
Last checked: 4 October 2026. This page is a translation of our French guide; the French Highway Code is the only official text.
Read next
- Speeding fines in France: amounts and penalties in 2026Speeding fines in France in 2026: the full scale from 68 € to 135 €, reduced and increased amounts, payment deadlines, and when speeding becomes a criminal offence.
- Speed camera tolerance in France: how the adjusted speed is calculatedFrench speed camera margin: 5 km/h below 100 km/h, 5 % above. How the measured speed becomes the adjusted speed used for the fine, with worked examples.
- Radar detectors and French law: what is banned, what is allowedRadar detectors are banned in France (1,500 € fine, confiscation), but driver-assistance apps are allowed. What French law says, in plain English.
Speed limits and camera locations are indicative: only the signs on the spot count. Always follow the French Highway Code.
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