Señales de tráficoFrancia

Petrol is a liquid motor fuel used mainly in spark-ignition engines. It is called petrol in many countries and may contain ethanol or other renewable components.

The octane rating indicates the fuel's resistance to uncontrolled combustion or engine knocking. Vehicles should use petrol with at least the octane rating specified by the manufacturer.

E5 and E10 indicate the permitted ethanol content of petrol. E5 contains up to 5% ethanol by volume, while E10 contains up to 10%. Drivers should check whether their vehicle is compatible with the selected fuel.

Diesel is a liquid motor fuel designed primarily for compression-ignition engines. These engines compress air until it becomes hot enough to ignite the injected fuel.

The letter B identifies diesel containing biodiesel components. The number indicates the maximum percentage of biodiesel in the fuel, so B7 may contain up to 7% and B10 up to 10% biodiesel.

No. Compatibility depends on the vehicle and engine. Drivers should follow the manufacturer's specifications before using fuels such as B10, higher biodiesel blends or synthetic diesel.

Diesel exhaust fluid is used in vehicles equipped with an SCR system. It is injected into the exhaust gases to help reduce nitrogen oxide emissions produced by the diesel engine.

No. Diesel exhaust fluid is not a fuel and must never be poured into the diesel tank. Vehicles that use it have a separate DEF tank, usually identified by a dedicated filler cap.

Refill the DEF tank with fluid that meets the specification required by the vehicle manufacturer. Do not ignore the warning, because some vehicles can restrict operation or prevent restarting if the DEF supply becomes empty.

Coverage depends on the policy. Liability insurance generally covers injury or damage caused to other people, while optional forms of insurance may also cover damage to the insured vehicle, theft, fire or other risks.

Many countries require at least a minimum level of motor liability insurance before a vehicle may be used on public roads. The exact requirements and exemptions depend on national law.

Liability insurance primarily covers damage or injury for which the insured driver is legally responsible toward others. Comprehensive or similar optional cover can also protect the insured vehicle against risks such as theft, fire, vandalism or accidental damage, depending on the policy.

A first aid kit provides basic materials that can be used to treat injuries or control bleeding while waiting for professional medical assistance.

No. Requirements vary between countries and vehicle types. Some countries require motorists to carry an approved first aid kit, while others only recommend having one.

Yes. Its contents should remain complete, clean and usable. Used items should be replaced, and products with expiry dates should be checked periodically.

A fire extinguisher can help control a small fire before it spreads, provided it is safe to use. If a fire is already large or spreading rapidly, occupants should move away from the vehicle and contact the emergency services.

No. Requirements vary between countries and vehicle types. Some countries require extinguishers in passenger cars or particular commercial vehicles, while others only recommend carrying one.

It should be securely mounted in an accessible location and protected from damage. Drivers should also check its condition, seal and expiry or service information according to the applicable requirements.

High-visibility clothing is designed to make the wearer more noticeable to other road users. Safety vests typically combine fluorescent material for daytime visibility with retro-reflective material that becomes particularly visible when illuminated at night.

It should be worn whenever leaving a vehicle in a situation where approaching traffic could present a danger, particularly after a breakdown or emergency and in conditions of poor visibility.

This depends on the country. Some countries require a reflective vest to be carried in the vehicle and worn in specified breakdown or emergency situations, while others only recommend it.

First aid aims to preserve life, prevent an injury or illness from becoming worse and provide appropriate immediate care until professional medical assistance becomes available.

First check that it is safe to approach. Assess the casualty, contact the emergency services when necessary and provide appropriate assistance within your level of knowledge and training.

No. An injured person should generally not be moved unnecessarily because movement can worsen certain injuries. Moving the casualty may be necessary when remaining in the location creates an immediate danger, such as fire or approaching traffic.

A guardrail is intended to reduce the severity of run-off-road crashes by containing or redirecting vehicles and shielding road users from more dangerous roadside hazards.

Guardrails are commonly installed beside hazards such as steep slopes, bridges, fixed objects, dangerous roadside obstacles or locations where vehicles leaving the roadway could face particularly serious consequences.

No. Hitting a guardrail can still cause serious injury or vehicle damage. The barrier is used when it is expected to reduce the consequences compared with reaching the hazard located behind it.

A concrete step barrier is designed to contain or redirect a vehicle that leaves its intended path. It can be used to separate opposing traffic or protect road users from dangerous areas beside the roadway.

Both are concrete vehicle-restraint barriers, but they use different cross-sectional profiles. A step barrier has a stepped-profile face, while a Jersey barrier uses the characteristic Jersey-shaped sloping profile. Their actual safety performance depends on the tested barrier system rather than simply on its shape.

No. Step barriers can be constructed as continuous cast-in-place barriers or as prefabricated concrete sections, depending on the particular road-restraint system and installation.

Bollards can restrict vehicle access, separate different types of traffic, protect pedestrians and infrastructure, guide vehicles or prevent parking in prohibited locations.

Yes. Some bollards are permanently fixed, while others can be removed, lowered or raised to provide controlled access for authorised vehicles, emergency services or other permitted traffic.

No, unless the road layout and applicable traffic rules clearly permit your vehicle to pass. A bollard may form part of a physical access restriction even when there is enough space to drive around it.

Road barriers can close roads or lanes, control access, separate traffic streams, protect work zones and prevent vehicles from entering hazardous or restricted areas.

Yes. Temporary barriers are commonly used during roadworks, emergencies and special traffic arrangements, while permanent barriers may be installed for access control or long-term protection.

No. A closed barrier normally indicates that access is prohibited or unsafe. Drivers should stop and follow any accompanying signs, signals or instructions rather than attempting to drive around it.

Common vehicle lights include dipped-beam and main-beam headlights, position lights, daytime running lights, rear lights, brake lights, direction indicators, reversing lights, fog lights and hazard warning lights.

Dipped-beam headlights are normally used at night and whenever visibility is poor. Unlike main beams, they are designed to illuminate the road while reducing glare for other road users.

Main beams should be changed to dipped beams whenever they could dazzle approaching or preceding road users. The precise requirements and distances vary between countries.

Street lights improve visibility during darkness and can help road users see the road layout, intersections, pedestrians, cyclists, obstacles and other traffic more clearly.

Usually yes. Street lighting does not normally replace the vehicle-lighting requirements that apply at night or in poor visibility. Drivers must follow the lighting rules of the country in which they are driving.

Main beam should not be used when it could dazzle other road users, and many countries require dipped beam instead on sufficiently illuminated roads. Drivers should use the appropriate lighting for the road and traffic conditions.

Dipped beam is the normal low-beam headlight setting. It illuminates the road in front of the vehicle while limiting glare towards approaching and preceding road users.

Dipped beam is generally used during darkness, in reduced visibility and whenever main-beam headlights could dazzle another road user. Exact requirements vary between countries.

Dipped beam directs light lower and is suitable when other traffic is present. Main beam projects light farther ahead but must be switched off when it could dazzle other road users.

High beam provides long-range illumination and can help a driver see farther ahead on dark roads where there is little or no other traffic.

You should switch to dipped beam whenever high beam could dazzle approaching or preceding road users. Exact requirements and distances vary between countries.

Often not when the existing road lighting already provides sufficient visibility. National traffic rules may specifically require dipped beam instead in adequately illuminated areas.

Front fog lights provide additional low-level illumination in poor visibility such as fog, snowfall or heavy rain. Their design helps illuminate the road close to the vehicle.

Rear fog lights produce an intense red light that makes a vehicle easier to see from behind when visibility is seriously reduced.

No. Fog lights should only be used when the applicable traffic rules and weather conditions justify them. Rear fog lights in particular can cause unnecessary glare when visibility is good.

Front fog lights provide additional low-level illumination when fog, snow, heavy rain or similar conditions make it difficult to see the road ahead.

They are normally mounted relatively low at the front of the vehicle so that their wide beam illuminates the road surface without projecting as much light directly into fog or precipitation.

No. Front fog lights should only be used when conditions and local traffic rules permit them. Unnecessary use can create glare or distraction for other road users.

Rear fog lights make a vehicle more visible from behind when fog, snow, heavy rain or other severe weather significantly reduces visibility.

They are designed to remain clearly visible through poor weather. Because of their high intensity, they can cause glare when visibility is normal.

Yes. They should only remain on while the conditions that justify their use continue. Exact legal requirements vary between countries.

Side lights make a vehicle easier to see and indicate its position and width. They provide much less road illumination than dipped-beam or high-beam headlights.

No. Side lights mainly make the vehicle visible, while dipped-beam headlights illuminate the road ahead sufficiently for driving without unnecessarily dazzling other road users.

Yes. In some countries, position or parking lights must be used when a vehicle is parked on the road at night or in poor visibility. The exact requirements depend on local traffic rules.

Turn signals should be used when turning, changing lanes or making another lateral movement where signalling is required. The signal should be given early enough for other road users to understand the driver's intention.

No. A turn signal only communicates an intended movement. The driver must still follow the applicable priority rules and make sure the movement can be completed safely.

The signal should be cancelled once the turn, lane change or other indicated movement has been completed so that it does not mislead other road users.

Hazard lights warn other road users of an unusual or potentially dangerous situation involving the vehicle or traffic ahead. Common examples include breakdowns, collisions and sudden obstructions.

No. Switching on hazard lights does not normally make prohibited stopping or parking legal. The driver must still comply with the applicable stopping and parking rules.

In many countries they may be used briefly to warn following traffic of an immediate danger such as a sudden queue. The exact rules governing their use vary between countries.

Dashboard warning lights communicate information about vehicle systems. Their exact meaning depends on the symbol, colour and vehicle, so drivers should consult the vehicle handbook when a warning is unfamiliar.

A red warning light generally indicates a serious problem or a condition requiring immediate attention. Depending on the warning, the driver may need to stop the vehicle safely and switch off the engine.

An amber or yellow light usually indicates a fault, maintenance requirement or condition that should be checked soon. The vehicle may still be driveable, but the warning should not be ignored.