Truck speed limit in France: 90 km/h on motorways and radar fines
Truck speed limit in France: 90 km/h on motorways for vehicles over 3.5 t, 80 km/h on most other roads, and radar fines of 68 or 135 EUR plus points.
Logifie Team
Logistics Technology Experts
Trucks over 3.5 t are limited to 90 km/h on French motorways under Code de la route R413-8 , whatever their weight, and to 80 km/h on most other roads outside towns. A radar flash for less than 50 km/h over costs a 68 or 135 EUR fine, plus licence points from 5 km/h over.
What is the truck speed limit on French roads?
The limit depends on the road type and, on some roads, on whether the vehicle weighs more than 12 t. R413-8 covers goods vehicles over 3.5 t and combinations over 3.5 t, except public transport. The article has been in force since 2014-01-10.
| Road type | Truck limit (over 3.5 t) |
|---|---|
| Motorway | 90 km/h |
| Dual carriageway priority road | 90 km/h up to 12 t; 80 km/h above 12 t |
| Other roads | 80 km/h; 60 km/h for articulated vehicles or vehicles with a trailer over 12 t |
| Built-up area | 50 km/h (70 km/h on the Paris boulevard périphérique) |
On a motorway the legal limit equals the 90 km/h setting of the speed limiter that EU rules require on N2 and N3 vehicles. Our guide explains why trucks are limited to 90 km/h in the EU . The limits for every other country are in the HGV speed limits by country guide .
What does a radar flash cost a truck driver in France?
A flash costs a fixed fine and, from 5 km/h over, licence points. Excess under 50 km/h is a contravention. When the excess is under 20 km/h and the limit is above 50 km/h, it is third class and the fixed fine is 68 EUR. Every other contravention case falls in the fourth class, with a fixed fine of 135 EUR. These amounts come from the service-public table of fixed fines , last verified on 2025-01-11.
Points follow the excess under R413-14, in force since 2024-01-01. An excess of 5 km/h to under 20 km/h costs 1 point, 20 to under 30 km/h costs 2 points, 30 to under 40 km/h costs 3 points, and 40 to under 50 km/h costs 4 points.
Speeding of 50 km/h or more over the limit has been a criminal offence (délit) since 2025-12-29. Under service-public guidance , the fixed criminal fine is 300 EUR, 250 EUR if paid within 15 days and 600 EUR if paid late. A driver who refuses it goes to the criminal court, where the penalty can reach 3,750 EUR, up to 3 months in prison, licence suspension or cancellation and vehicle confiscation.
Frequently asked questions
What is the speed limit for a truck on a French motorway?
A truck over 3.5 t may drive at most 90 km/h on a French motorway. R413-8 sets it for every vehicle above 3.5 t.
What is the speed limit for a truck over 12 tonnes in France?
On motorways it is still 90 km/h. On dual carriageway priority roads it is 80 km/h, and on other roads an articulated vehicle or a vehicle with a trailer over 12 t is limited to 60 km/h.
How much is a speeding fine for a truck in France?
The fixed fine is 68 EUR for an excess under 20 km/h where the limit is above 50 km/h, and 135 EUR for other contraventions below 50 km/h over. Points run from 1 at 5 km/h over to 4 at 40 km/h over.
Is 50 km/h or more over the limit a criminal offence in France?
Yes, since 2025-12-29. The fixed criminal fine is 300 EUR, and a court can impose up to 3,750 EUR, a prison term of up to 3 months, and a licence suspension or cancellation.
Check the main French limits by road type on the free France truck speed limit page before your next trip across the border.
