www.SoftSeatTravel.com
| International Traffic Symbols for Driving in Europe |
Driving in Europe, particularly France and Italy, differs little from driving in
the USA except for the narrow roads in the rural countryside and fast and
impatient drivers among the locals in the city and on the highway. It is best
to keep right and give way when a car wants to pass.
the USA except for the narrow roads in the rural countryside and fast and
impatient drivers among the locals in the city and on the highway. It is best
to keep right and give way when a car wants to pass.
The rules of driving in Europe are similar to the US,
Mexico, and Canada, including the giving of the right
of way to the car in the rotary except where noted by
dark lines or arrows.
The rotary will become a most welcome sight while
driving in France and Italy because they have signs
clearly marking directions to cities and towns.
When in doubt about a direction, you can go to the
inside and circle the rotary as many times as it takes
to get your bearings.
Study the rotary nuance, however, the car in the rotary
does not always have sole right of way.
Mexico, and Canada, including the giving of the right
of way to the car in the rotary except where noted by
dark lines or arrows.
The rotary will become a most welcome sight while
driving in France and Italy because they have signs
clearly marking directions to cities and towns.
When in doubt about a direction, you can go to the
inside and circle the rotary as many times as it takes
to get your bearings.
Study the rotary nuance, however, the car in the rotary
does not always have sole right of way.
Speed Limits
Speed limits in Europe are in Kilometers per hour
and are clearly marked along most roads in France
and Italy, often with flashing lights.
Speed bumps do exist on the roads of France but
in limited numbers and are not the damaging size
of those found on Mexican roads. They are
marked by a tent like symbol that might fool the US
driver looking for a campsite.
Speed limits in Europe are in Kilometers per hour
and are clearly marked along most roads in France
and Italy, often with flashing lights.
Speed bumps do exist on the roads of France but
in limited numbers and are not the damaging size
of those found on Mexican roads. They are
marked by a tent like symbol that might fool the US
driver looking for a campsite.
130 Kilometers per hour on a clear day 110 in the rain.
Accurately this is 80.77 mph when clear, 68.35 in the
rain and by the rule of thumb described at left it comes
out to 86 when clear and 72 when raining: close
enough.
Accurately this is 80.77 mph when clear, 68.35 in the
rain and by the rule of thumb described at left it comes
out to 86 when clear and 72 when raining: close
enough.
Kilometers to Miles
A handy rule of thumb to
quickly convert
kilometers to miles is to
take the overall
distance, 90 kilometers
for example, divide by
three and add two of the
thirds. This will give you
60 miles in this case.
90 divided by 3 =30 x
2= 60, approximately
converting 90 km to 60
miles. Although
inaccurate for long
distances, this can be
quickly done in your
head and will be near
enough for short
distances.
A handy rule of thumb to
quickly convert
kilometers to miles is to
take the overall
distance, 90 kilometers
for example, divide by
three and add two of the
thirds. This will give you
60 miles in this case.
90 divided by 3 =30 x
2= 60, approximately
converting 90 km to 60
miles. Although
inaccurate for long
distances, this can be
quickly done in your
head and will be near
enough for short
distances.
Highway Travel
Highway driving is just like highway travel in the US
with toll tickets, rest areas, food and gas stops all
being very similar. Keep small change handy in
coins for the automatic toll gates.
Learning the words for a few of the important
highway signs, the word for right, Droit, left,
Gouche, paid parking, Payant, and a few others
can help but a use of the language is not needed
for a successful road trip in France or Italy.
Familiarity with the road symbols would help. A
map legend will have explanations of the circle with
the line through it, the word interdit, and various
other symbols and road sign logos now used
commonly worldwide.
Highway driving is just like highway travel in the US
with toll tickets, rest areas, food and gas stops all
being very similar. Keep small change handy in
coins for the automatic toll gates.
Learning the words for a few of the important
highway signs, the word for right, Droit, left,
Gouche, paid parking, Payant, and a few others
can help but a use of the language is not needed
for a successful road trip in France or Italy.
Familiarity with the road symbols would help. A
map legend will have explanations of the circle with
the line through it, the word interdit, and various
other symbols and road sign logos now used
commonly worldwide.
International Traffic
Symbols are not as
standardized in Europe as
you might hope but a few
shapes are common
Symbols are not as
standardized in Europe as
you might hope but a few
shapes are common
International Traffic Symbols on Europe's highways are similar to those in Mexico,
less so to those on the US or Canada
less so to those on the US or Canada
In France the Traffic Laws, International
Traffic Symbols, and the Renting of an
automobile varies little from the US or Canada
Traffic Symbols, and the Renting of an
automobile varies little from the US or Canada
Driving in Europe
for Americans or
Canadians will
not require a
driving test but
except for
France, visitors
should carry an
International
Driving Permit
for Americans or
Canadians will
not require a
driving test but
except for
France, visitors
should carry an
International
Driving Permit
Speed limits in France will be clearly marked and the Rotary will be a welcome site with its directions to
various towns. Gassing up is similar to US with credit card and automatic shut-off at modern pumps. Car
rental are available in all large cities and at many TGV Train Stations..
various towns. Gassing up is similar to US with credit card and automatic shut-off at modern pumps. Car
rental are available in all large cities and at many TGV Train Stations..
No Passing for
commercial
vehicles
commercial
vehicles
zone ends
| Rotary with yield to traffic in rotary |
The no parking
symbol.
The cities in
France will have
paid parking,
usually an
automated system
with a machine that
vends a ticket for
placing on the
windshield or a
ticket that you take
on entering and
insert and pay on
leaving
symbol.
The cities in
France will have
paid parking,
usually an
automated system
with a machine that
vends a ticket for
placing on the
windshield or a
ticket that you take
on entering and
insert and pay on
leaving
Highway speed
Limit, reduced in
rain and fog from the
usual 130 KM per
hour for clear day
speeds on Franc's
toll roads.
Limit, reduced in
rain and fog from the
usual 130 KM per
hour for clear day
speeds on Franc's
toll roads.
Do You need an International Driving Permit to Drive in Europe.
In France and Italy you can rent a car and do not need to show an International Permit, only your drivers
license Italian law, however, requires that..... see Article
In France and Italy you can rent a car and do not need to show an International Permit, only your drivers
license Italian law, however, requires that..... see Article
| Check Auto Europe's prices and availability, gas or diesel models |
SoftSeatTravel.com is affiliated with Auto Europe because we like their selection, price, and ease of
booking on the web. . Shop online well ahead of your trip and choose diesel (more economical) or gas,
luggage space,(important) standard or automatic,(important) two door, four door and other options. Renting
for more than 17 days; see their options see renting a vehicle in Provence
booking on the web. . Shop online well ahead of your trip and choose diesel (more economical) or gas,
luggage space,(important) standard or automatic,(important) two door, four door and other options. Renting
for more than 17 days; see their options see renting a vehicle in Provence
Speed limits will be clearly marked and the Rotary will be a welcome site with its directions to various
towns. Gassing up is similar to US with credit card and automatic shut-off at modern pumps. Car rental are
available in all large cities and at many TGV Train Stations..
towns. Gassing up is similar to US with credit card and automatic shut-off at modern pumps. Car rental are
available in all large cities and at many TGV Train Stations..
Information for those renting a vehicle in France
In Europe a common
shape for a warning
ahead is the triangle.
The top one pictured
left is Italy's symbol for
a stop light ahead.
Various countries us
different colored
backgrounds and a
simple graphic within.
This differs from the US
and Canada where the
diamond shape is used
for a warning ahead
and the warning may be
in English without a
graphic.
shape for a warning
ahead is the triangle.
The top one pictured
left is Italy's symbol for
a stop light ahead.
Various countries us
different colored
backgrounds and a
simple graphic within.
This differs from the US
and Canada where the
diamond shape is used
for a warning ahead
and the warning may be
in English without a
graphic.
| Warning ahead Diamond, US and Canada |
| Warning ahead triangle, Europe |
| the No Stopping Symbol |
Here the exit speed limit is 70 km per hour
Here the exit speed limit is 90 km per hour
| the Dead End Symbol |
| The familiar Stop Sign shape is used internationally as are the colors red for stop, yellow for caution, and green for go at traffic lights. |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
 | |  | |  | |  |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
 | |  |