Some things are banned from being carried in a vehicle on the public road.
Speed camera detectors - These are devices that warn the driver of the presence of a speed camera nearby and they are strictly prohibited on French roads. The French driving code does not allow motorists to carry "any device that can disrupt, jam, or detect road traffic enforcement devices".
If you do not respect this, then you risk losing six points on your licence and being fined up to €1,500.
Illegal weapons - In France, there are strict rules related to gun ownership.
If you own a gun illegally, it should be no surprise that you cannot transport it in your vehicle without risking a severe penalty, but for those who own firearms legally, there are also strict transportation rules and failing to respect them can lead to hefty fines and possible prison time. In all cases, the weapon must be transported in a way so that it cannot be immediately used.
Hunters (with a valid hunting licence) are allowed to transport their hunting weapon to and from hunting-related activities.
As for collectors' guns - you must hold a valid collector's card and you must be transporting the weapon to an activity related to its exhibition.
People who take part in target shooting or other shooting competitions must have a valid 'shooting licence' (licence de tir) delivered by the Fédération française de tir. You can only transport your weapon to and from sporting practice or events.
As for category D weapons - which are non-firearms weapons like knives and pepper spray - these may be available for purchase to adults, but there are also strict rules about transporting them outside of the home.
You will need to demonstrate a 'legitimate' reason, which is determined at the discretion of the police officer.
READ MORE: What are the rules on carrying a knife in France?
Illegal drugs - As you'd expect, you cannot transport illegal drugs, and this includes cannabis.
France has some of the toughest cannabis laws in Europe; there is no distinction between possession for use or possession for supply, and it remains outlawed for medicinal use - although a medical trial is currently under way.
If you drive after using drugs, you risk up to two years in prison and a €4,500 fine.
Dangerous materials - France has multiple 'class' categories for hazardous materials.
They are: explosive substances and articles, gases, flammable liquids, flammable solids, oxidisers or peroxides, toxic substances, infectious substances, radioactive substances, corrosive substances, and miscellaneous hazardous substances (which can cause a spontaneous violent reaction).
In order to transport these types of materials, the vehicle must be equipped in a certain way and it must show a rectangular orange plate with the ADR hazard code and the UN material code. As an average person, you likely would not be able to meet this requirement. You can find a sample list here.
Fireworks - In France, fireworks are called feux d'artifices, though you might also hear people use the term pétard, which is more akin to 'firecracker'. Fireworks are classified as pyrotechnic articles that contain explosive substances and separated into four categories based on risk-level, from F1 (low risk) to F4 (high risk, only operated by qualified professionals with certificates).
In terms of transporting fireworks, normally this is allowed assuming you meet the rules for the type of firework you are transporting. That said, local authorities do have the power to restrict the purchase and transport of fireworks in certain situations. This might happen if there are concerns related to droughts, during major events (e.g. New Year's and July 14th), or if there has been political unrest (as fireworks can be used as weapons during riots).
READ MORE: What are the rules in France for buying and setting off fireworks?
Jerrycans - The same goes for jerrycans (bidons) intended to transport petrol/gasoline. Normally the rule is that one five litre jerrycan in good condition is allowed per vehicle. However, local authorities can also restrict this if they see fit, which sometimes happens if there are fuel shortages.
Pets - Animals are not allowed to roam freely in a moving vehicle. They must be confined in some way. You could put them in a cage or carrier, attach their harness to the seat, or invest in netting to make sure they stay put on one area.
This rule comes back to the driving code, which stipulates that the "driver's movements and field of vision must not be hindered by the number or position of passengers, objects transported or the placing of non-transparent objects on the windows."
Large or cumbersome objects - Basically, you need to make sure that any large items are strapped down and that they are not too big (greater than 2.55m in width, protruding more than 3m in the front or rear).
The French code de la route says that "all necessary precautions must be taken to ensure that the load of a vehicle does not cause damage or danger." Failing to do so can lead to fines. Be aware that this applies to transporting skis too.
Dash-cam - Strict privacy rules in France mean that filming someone in a public space without their consent can prove problematic. As things stand, you can purchase and set up a dash-cam in your vehicle, but this is mostly because there is no specific law against it. Dash-cams are tolerated for now, but the rules could change in the future.
That said, it is very clear that you cannot broadcast images of a person without first obtaining their consent - and that would include posting footage from a dashcam or helmet camera on social media.
READ MORE: Are car dashcams and cycle helmet cameras legal in France?
Phone - You can have your phone in the vehicle with you, and you can use it as an assistance device (ex. GPS). However, you must be careful not to use your phone for any other purposes while operating the vehicle, this includes using contactless payment at tollbooths, as one driver learned the hard way in January.
What about alcohol and cigarettes?
Alcohol - You can legally transport alcohol, and France does not have any kind of rules about an open bottle of alcohol in the car (as some US states do).
That said, French drink driving rules are strict - it is forbidden to get behind the wheel of a car with a blood alcohol level of 0.5 g/l or more. This is equivalent to 0.25 mg of alcohol per litre of exhaled air. As a guide, that’s basically half-a-litre of beer (less than a pint) or two small glasses of wine.
Cigarettes - You can carry cigarettes, but if you want to smoke, then all passengers must be over the age of 18. You can be fined up to €750 for smoking in a car with a minor present.
What items should you definitely have?
Aside from your driving licence, there are also a few items that you must carry with you at all times when driving in France.
These include; the gilet jaune (high visibility safety vest) and warning/signal triangle. You should also have your vehicle registration documents, but if your vehicle is registered in France, then police can also check the little green insurance paper tab in the windscreen.
That said, the green paper tab is no longer required, and police can look your information up in their French insurance database.
READ MORE: 7 things to know about the change to France's 'carte verte' car insurance
In certain parts of France during the winter months (November through March), you need snow tyres or chains, as part of the Loi Montagne (mountain law). You can see an interactive map of where this is required on the Sécurité Routière website.
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