Traffic and parking violations are a large source of revenue for the City of Paris. Police officers will ensure that you will comply with traffic laws and Paris’ golden driving rules while driving in Paris or pay a fine. Paris vacation rental guests should be aware of the tight parking situation and its potential to cause acquisition of fines. Vacationers should also be careful when driving in Paris because the police will fine you for:
- Excessive speeding
- Speed limits are strongly enforced with fixed and mobile radars all over the city. Parisian police are exceptionally sneaky. If you must drive while in Paris, make sure to carefully observe and respect all speed limit signs. It is not uncommon for speed limits on the same street to change. This is especially true on The Quai of Paris. The Quai is where Princess Diana died. Follow the flow of cars very carefully. The Peripherique, the ring around Paris, has fixed radars that may cause you to get caught speeding and get fined.
- Noncompliance with some of Paris’ golden driving rules
Paris Art Photography by Laurent Harari
Paris vacation rental guests that want to drive should know that Paris’ golden driving rules are to:
- Buckle up
- No talking on the phone while driving in Paris (unless you have an ear piece)
- No drinking and driving in Paris
- Respect red lights
There is zero tolerance for violation of Paris’ golden driving rules. While you are in Paris on vacation, enjoy the city and avoid the stress of having a car. If you get stopped while driving in Paris, be nice and polite and don’t speak French (even if you understand or speak French). Most of the cops won’t speak English and if things are too complicated and the violation is minor, there is a good chance they will let you go. If you receive a fine while driving in Paris, you may pay it or let them go after you in your hometown whether that is Miami or New York. Unless you injure someone else, chances of encountering problems on your trip to Paris are slim.
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