Motorways bear the prefix ‘A' and other major roads ‘N' (nationales) or ‘D' (départementales). Traffic is on the right and drivers must give way to the right, unless the route is marked with ‘passage protégé' signs (a broad arrow, a yellow diamond or an ‘X' on a triangular background), or at roundabouts. 

Speed limits are 130kph (81mph) on motorways, 110kph (68mph) on dual carriageways separated by a central reservation, 90kph (46mph) outside built-up areas and 50kph (31mph) in built-up areas. Visitors who have held a driving licence for less than two years face tighter speed restrictions. 

The minimum age for driving is 18 years. All front and rear-seat passengers must wear seat belts and children under 10 years may not travel in the front seat. The French police fine motorists on the spot for driving offences, such as speeding. Random breath tests for drinking and driving are common - the legal alcohol to blood ratio is 0.05%.

A national driving licence, the car's registration document and a red warning triangle must be carried at all times. EU nationals taking their own cars to France are strongly advised to check what level of cover their car insurance policy provides when driving abroad, and top it up if necessary.

Emergency breakdown service: Automobile Club: Tel (0800 0800 01).

Routes to the city: Strasbourg is on the central European motorway network, directly connected to Paris by the A4 motorway to the west, linked to Munich via Stuttgart on the A8 Autobahn to the east and the A5 north to Frankfurt. The Strasbourg-Mulhouse route is linked to the national motorway network, allowing access to Lyon and Marseille, as well as to destinations in Spain and Italy.

Approximate driving times to Strasbourg: From Stuttgart - 1 hour 30 minutes; Frankfurt - 2 hours; Paris - 4 hours 15 minutes.

Coach services: The coach station is located at place des Halles and served by two companies. Compagnie des Transports Strasbourgeois (CTS) (tel: 03887 77070; website: www.cts-strasbourg.fr) serves the immediate surroundings of Strasbourg, including Wasselonne, Obernai and Erstein. Eurolines, 6D place d'Austerlitz (tel: 03902 21460; website: www.eurolines.fr), operates international coach services to major destinations throughout Europe.