Speed bumpFrance

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.


16. Speed bump

A speed bump is a raised traffic-calming device placed across all or part of a road to make drivers reduce their speed. It is commonly used near homes, schools, crossings, parking areas and other places where low vehicle speeds are important.

Speed bumps vary in shape, height and legal status. Drivers should approach them at a low, controlled speed and follow any warning signs or speed limits that apply.

30 km/h speed-limit sign before a speed hump on Avenue de France. (Vichy, France)
Wikimedia.org • Tabl-trai • CC BY-SA
How should I recognise and approach a speed bump in France?

French guidance distinguishes ralentisseurs, including dos d’âne, from cushions and raised tables. A raised crossing or junction may be incorporated into a table, so look beyond the shape of the hump.

🔗 legifrance.gouv.fr • French Road Code — R413-17, R415-11; IISR part 2 article 28-1

Warning for a speed bump. Warning for a speed bump.

English • Traffic sign A2b • Road hump used for traffic calming.

Français • Panneau A2b • Ralentisseur de type dos-d'âne.

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 2022-04-30. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Speed bump. Speed bump.

English • Traffic sign C27 • Raised carriageway.

Français • Panneau C27 • Surélévation de chaussée.

Sources

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

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

Image via Commons.wikimedia.org
Jcrovetti • CC BY-SA 3.0 • Source revision 2017-08-20. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Which speed should I use at a raised device in France?

Outside a Zone 30 or a residential area (zone de rencontre), French official guidance provides for an advance hump warning together with a 30 km/h restriction. Follow the applicable signs and zone rules. The device or conditions may require a speed below the legal maximum.

🔗 cerema.fr • Cerema, raised-device signing guidance, IISR Articles 28-1 and 72-6

Does a raised road surface give pedestrians priority in France?

A raised device alone does not identify pedestrian priority. If it incorporates a crossing, apply the crossing’s controls and the national rules. Give way, stopping if necessary, to a pedestrian lawfully crossing or clearly showing an intention to cross. This duty is broader than merely recognising a warning sign or painted crossing.

🔗 legifrance.gouv.fr • French Road Code — R413-17, R415-11; IISR part 2 article 28-1

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 ...