Practically everyone has heard about a driving horror story in Paris. After all, Parisian drivers are known for their aggressiveness and inpatient driving behavior. However, if you’re mind is really set on renting a car in Paris (especially for those occasional day trips to the countryside), then it’s best you become familiar with the rules of the road in this magnificent city. Here’s some of the basic driving rules and tips that can make your Parisian driving experience as pleasant and safe as possible.

Drive on the right side of the road
If you usually drive in the U.K., then it might take a day or two to get accustomed to driving on the right side of the road. If possible, try to practice driving in the country or the suburbs before you take on the city. With narrow streets and aggressive drivers, the Paris roads can be intimidating to even the most seasoned driver.

Roundabouts
When you think of Paris, what often comes to mind are the legendary roundabouts, or traffic circles such as the Charles de Gaulle Etoile, the Bastille and the Place de la Concorde. Even though it might almost seem romantic to drive on these historic Parisian roundabouts (as well as others in the city), it can be a tough experience. Part of the problem arises from the fact that the older roundabouts follow different traffic rules than the newer roundabouts. In the older traffic circles, the car entering the circle from the right has the right of way, even over those already in the traffic circle. With the new traffic circles, however, the driver in the circle has the right away. Here’s the topper – not many French drivers differentiate between driving in an older roundabout versus driving in a modern roundabout. The best piece of advice is to be a defensive driver when ever traveling in the circle.

Other driving rules
Here are some other basic driving rules and regulations:

• All passengers must wear seatbelts
• No one under the age of 10 can sit in the front seat unless a special rear facing child seat is used.
• Cell phones can’t be used when driving unless it’s fitted in a hands-free device.
• The minimum driving age is 18.
• One high-visibility vest and one red warning triangle must be in the car at all times.

Homelist24 provides up-to-date property listings for homes for rent, apartments for sale, and vacation rentals