AircraftFrance

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of France. Learn about driving, road safety and much more in our illustrated book, with answers to frequently asked questions.

For informational purposes only. Always follow official regulations. Some content and images were created with AI assistance.


41. Aircraft

An aircraft warning is a traffic warning indicating that aircraft may pass at low altitude above or close to the road, usually near an airport, airfield or flight path. The warning is intended to prepare drivers for the sudden appearance or noise of low-flying aircraft.

Drivers should remain focused on the road and avoid sudden braking or steering movements if an aircraft passes overhead. The design and use of aircraft warning signs vary between countries.

Aircraft
Warning for aircraft. (Annemasse, France)
Wikimedia.org • Marc Mongenet • CC BY-SA
What should an aircraft-warning sign tell drivers in France?

The French A23 warning indicates an air-traffic danger area. It warns of a hazard associated with aircraft near the road; it is different from direction guidance to an airport. Keep your attention on the road and obey any associated signals or barriers.

🔗 equipementsdelaroute.cerema.fr • French road-sign order, Article 5-8, signs EB10 and EB20 — Order A23 air-traffic danger area and IISR2 aircraft warning/closure arrangements; A warning does not prescribe numerical speed.

🔗 equipementsdelaroute.cerema.fr • Cerema current IISR part 2 consolidation

🔗 service-public.gouv.fr • French Government, national and built-up-area speed limits

Warning for low-flying aircraft. Warning for low-flying aircraft.

English • Traffic sign A23 • Crossing an area of aircraft-related danger.

Français • Panneau A23 • Traversée d'une aire de danger aérien.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Equipementsdelaroute.cerema.fr • Arrêté du 24 novembre 1967

© Roulex 45 et les contributeurs Wikimedia • CC BY-SA 3.0 • SVG original non modifié.

Image via Commons.wikimedia.org
Roulex_45 • CC BY-SA 3.0 • Source revision 2013-07-05. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Does an aircraft warning automatically reduce the speed limit in France?

No, not by itself. A hazard warning is not a numerical speed-limit sign. Obey any separately displayed speed restriction and adjust speed if actual conditions make this necessary.

🔗 equipementsdelaroute.cerema.fr • French road-sign order, Article 5-8, signs EB10 and EB20 — Order A23 air-traffic danger area and IISR2 aircraft warning/closure arrangements; A warning does not prescribe numerical speed.

🔗 equipementsdelaroute.cerema.fr • Cerema current IISR part 2 consolidation

🔗 service-public.gouv.fr • French Government, national and built-up-area speed limits

1 France 2 Motorway 3 Expressway 4 Residential area 5 Zone 6 Speed limit 7 Minimum speed 8 Advisory speed 9 Footpath 10 Bike path 11 Pedestrian warning 12 Tunnel 13 Bridge 14 Cycling street 15 Pedestrian zone 16 Speed bump 17 Toll road 18 Customs 19 One-way traffic 20 Quay 21 Slope 22 Bus lane 23 Bus stop 24 Dead end 25 Stop sign 26 Give way 27 Roundabout 28 Priority road 29 Road narrowing 30 Priority over oncoming traffic 31 Give way to oncoming traffic 32 Pedestrian crossing 33 Railway crossing 34 Mandatory direction 35 Turn prohibition 36 School area 37 Overtaking 38 Crossing animals 39 Slippery road 40 Rockfall 41 Aircraft 42 Curve 43 Chevron 44 Wrong-way driving 45 Roadworks 46 Crosswind 47 Height limit 48 Width limit 49 Length limit 50 Weight limit 51 Radar speed sign 52 Selective barriers 53 Low-emission zone 54 Priority at the next junction 55 Traffic lights 56 Traffic lights warning 57 Pedestrian lights 58 Road markings 59 Junction layout 60 Bike box 61 Speed feedback 62 Driving licence 63 Location marker 64 Road number 65 Countdown markers 66 Public toilet 67 Rest area 68 Traffic mirror 69 Emergency telephone 70 International border 71 Cycling route 72 End of restriction 73 Parking 74 No parking 75 No stopping 76 Parallel parking 77 Alternate-side parking 78 Parking meter 79 Parking disc 80 Disabled parking 81 Traffic management 82 Merging 83 Reversing 84 U-turn 85 Carpool 86 Traffic jam 87 Uncontrolled crossroad 88 Road surface 89 Ring road 90 Exit 91 Information point 92 Horse riding 93 Provisional licence 94 Hazardous cargo 95 Emergency exit 96 Runaway truck ramp 97 Radio service 98 Oversize load 99 Lane 100 Tyre inflation station ...