Page 271 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Brittany

TR A VEL INFORM A TION  269

Rules of the Road Speed Limits and Fines Car Hire
Unless road signs indicate Speed limits on French All the main international
otherwise, priorité a droite autoroutes are as follows: car-hire companies operate
means that you must give 130 km/h (80 mph), 110 km/h in France. In Brittany, there
way to vehicles joining the (70 mph) when it rains; on are offices at the principal
road from the right, except dual carriageways: 110 km/h airports, main railway stations
on roundabouts or from (70 mph), 90–100 km/h and in the centre of major
private property. This mainly (55–60 mph) when it rains; towns. To get the best
applies in small towns and on other roads: 90 km/h rates, it’s advisable
villages; most major roads (55 mph), 80 km/h (50 to book a car before
outside built-up areas have mph) when it rains. you leave for France
the right of way indicated by a In towns, the speed through the
passage protégé sign. Contrary limit is 50 km/h companies’
to UK convention, flashing (30 mph) unless international
headlights in France means otherwise marked. websites, via
that the driver is claiming the On-the-spot fines an Internet car
right of way. of around €90 can Road signs in French rental booking
In addition to the be levied for speeding, and Breton service such as
requirements described in not stopping at Auto Europe
What You Need (see opposite), a Stop sign, overtaking where or in a package with your
it is compulsory to wear seat forbidden, and other driving flight. Car rentals can also be
belts, and children under 10 offences. If you do not pay booked in combination with
are not allowed to travel in within three days, the fine will train tickets through www.
the front of the car and must increase. Drink-driving can voyages-sncf.com or Rail
have a booster seat. It is illegal lead to confiscation of the Europe (see p267).
to use a mobile phone (even vehicle or imprisonment. A Conditions vary, but in
a hands-free one) while level of 0.05 per cent alcohol general to rent a car you must
driving. Dipped headlights (not in the blood is illegal. be over 21 and have had a
just sidelights) must be used in driving licence for at least a
poor visibility, and motorbikes Petrol year, and you must present your
must have dipped headlights licence, passport and a credit
lit at all times. If you have to Virtually all fuel stations have card. The price quoted to you
stop by the roadside for a two grades of unleaded petrol should include all taxes and
breakdown or other reason, (95 and 98 octane) and diesel unlimited mileage (kilométrage
you must put on your fuel (gazole or gasoil, and illimité), which nowadays is
luminous jacket, and place sometimes a higher-quality usual practice.
your red warning triangle at grade, gasoil +), which in France
least 100 m (328 ft) behind is cheaper than petrol. The Parking
the car on motorways, 30 m cheapest places to buy fuel in
(98 ft) on other roads. France are the stations attached Finding a parking
For further information, to big supermarkets and hyper- space in coastal towns in
visit the website of the AA markets, which (like many rural summer can be difficult;
or RAC motoring organizations. petrol stations) are closed on however, most large towns
Sundays – although pumps have car parks with a
allowing automated 24-hr, pay-and-display system
7-day payment by bank card are (horodateur). Villages have
becoming common. Filling the free, and usually very
The RAC motor organization logo tank is known as faire le plein. central, parking areas.
DIRECTORY
Arriving by Car What You Need Bison Futé Budget
or Coach ∑ bison-fute.gouv.fr Tel 0825 003 564.
AA ∑ budget.com
Eurolines/Isilines Tel (UK) 0800 887 766; Car Hire Europcar
(France) 0825 098 876.
Tel (France) 0892 899 ∑ theaa.com Tel 0825 358 358.
091/891 200. Auto Europe ∑ europcar.com
∑ eurolines.com RAC Tel (UK) 0800 890 011; Hertz
Tel (UK) 0800 015 6000.
∑ isilines.com ∑ rac.co.uk (USA) 1-888-223-5555. Tel 0825 861 861.
∑ autoeurope.com
Eurotunnel Roads and Tolls ∑ hertz.com
Tel (France) 0321 002 061; Avis Rentacar
(UK) 08443 35 35 35. Autoroute Tel (France) 0821 230 760. Tel 0891 700 200.
∑ eurotunnel.com ∑ autoroutes.fr ∑ avis.com ∑ rentacar.fr

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