Regulation

A vehicle like any other

Motorhomes are subject to the same speed limits as passenger vehicles: 50 km/h in the city, 80 km/h on the road (unless a departmental decision authorizes traffic at 90 km/h on all or part of the territory), 110 km/h on expressways and 130 km/h on freeways (if the motorhome is sufficiently powerful). There is no particular speed limit for motorhomes in the Highway Code, except if they tow a trailer of more than 750 kg and the GVW exceeds 3 500 kg. However, be aware that braking distances are longer: you must allow at least 56 meters to stop on a dry road at a speed of 80 km/h, and almost twice that on a wet road. In addition, you must also be equipped with two yellow jackets and a safety triangle.

Specific rules for motorhomes

It is forbidden for motor homes to drive on the leftmost part of a freeway with more than two lanes (article R 412-25) if the vehicle is longer than 7 meters or if it is a heavy vehicle. The number of persons authorized to travel in the vehicle is indicated on the registration card and cannot be higher, including children. If you are a family of 7 people and the approval is for 6 people, then you will have to take an additional vehicle to travel, such as a car. Each passenger is obliged to wear a seatbelt, both in the cabin and in the cell. If the motorhome has side seats, no one can sit in them while traveling. It is better to fasten children on booster seats.

Technical inspection

It is mandatory and your responsibility. All motor vehicles under 3.5 tons must undergo the test within six months of the fourth anniversary of their date of first registration. This date is indicated in the upper right corner of the registration card, while the deadline is indicated in the lower left corner, or, for new registration cards, on the back. Then, the technical control must be renewed every two years. Since January^1, 2008, motorhomes are no longer subject to the additional inspection of pollutant emissions.

Insurance

Insurance covering civil liability is mandatory for anyone owning a vehicle. Don't hesitate to insure the motorhome in all risks (especially when it is new), because most accidents are caused by the driver, often because of the clutter of his vehicle. The premium is calculated according to the value of the vehicle and its fittings. For each trip, it is recommended to check the area of coverage of the insurance. In some countries, an extension of the civil liability may be necessary. Please note: the insurance contract is no longer valid after 90 consecutive days abroad!

For young drivers or people who do not have their own vehicle insured in their name (or who are not registered as the main driver on a family member's vehicle) the insurance rate can rise very quickly! Make sure you know before you buy, to avoid any unpleasant surprises.

What French law says about parking motorhomes

Classified in category M1 (automobile) at the European level, motor homes are authorized to park according to the same rules as a passenger car. They cannot be deprived of the right to park, when it is not abused. Parking on a public road (street, parking lot, parking area) means parking your vehicle for a day or a night on its four tires, without any chock or external object. If you unfold an awning, if you take out a table and chairs, if you install jacks..., you are considered to be "camping", and you can be fined for this.

However, the mayor can issue a municipal bylaw prohibiting parking in certain areas of his municipality. The bans imposed by these by-laws are only applicable if they have been brought to the attention of the public by posting them in the town hall and by putting up regulatory signs at the usual access points to the prohibited areas. In any case, a general and absolute ban is illegal.

Beyond the regulatory and legal aspect, it is also a question of civic-mindedness and common sense on the part of the driver. Let's remember that it is forbidden to camp in woods, forests and classified parks, on the seashore, within a radius of 200 meters around a water point tapped for consumption, in a classified or registered site, in the zones of protection of the heritage of nature and sites, less than 500 meters from a classified historical monument.

If all these prohibitions seem heavy, don't panic, there are still many other more or less attractive places to park.

The weight or weights (to find your way around)

The Total Allowable Loaded Weight (TALW) is the upper limit declared by the vehicle manufacturer and set by the Mining Department. The judge of peace of your load. Not to be exceeded under any circumstances, the police are not joking. This information is printed on the vehicle registration document, on the description or maintenance booklet, and on the chassis plate. If you are wondering how the GVW is checked: with scale plates placed on the ground.

The unladen weight is also indicated by the manufacturer and is shown on the vehicle registration document. It includes the weight of the vehicle, the accessories, a gas bottle, the original equipment, 90% of the clean water tank and the driver (75 kg). Reminder: the 92/21/CEE standard allows the manufacturer to have a 5% deviation from the unladen weight in running order, which reduces the payload accordingly.

The Payload (CU) is the difference between the GVW and the PV. It corresponds to the weight available for the load: passengers (excluding the driver), luggage, food.

Finally, the Total Loaded Weight (TL) corresponds to the real weight of the motorhome. It evolves according to the number of passengers and the quantity of luggage. The GVW must never exceed the GVW.