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For as long as I can remember, I avoided driving in France like the plague. 

I had never been a nervous driver in the UK. However, when I had to drive in France I would be petrified. 

Having my husband behaving like a backseat driver just made the whole journey even more hideous.

When we moved to Fayence (Var), I knew I would either have to accept that I was not going anywhere on my own – or learn to get behind the wheel with confidence.

I have encountered many expats who share this angst. Between the priorité à droite rule and driving round a roundabout ‘the wrong way’, it can seem overwhelming. Motorway driving feels hazardous. You have to cope with unfamiliar road signs too. In addition, there are over 4,000 speed cameras in France. 

However, there is no upper age limit for driving in France. As long as you are medically fit and hold a valid licence, you are good to go.

Read more: several motorways in France to remove toll tickets, but keep exit barriers

Watershed moment

Earlier this year, we bought a left-hand drive Mini. This was a major turning point for me. 

I was involved in a fatal accident in a Mini in 1987 and swore I would never drive one, or be a passenger in one, again.

However, no longer having to drive down narrow French roads in the large black people carrier we affectionately refer to as “the hearse� appealed to me.

I had never driven a left-hand drive car, never mind on the right-hand side of the road. Inexplicably, the moment I stepped into my Mini and drove off, I began to feel that the French roads were my oyster. 

Yes, there were a few gear-crunching moments (I had not driven a manual car for years), but I was finally phobia-free. 

Practice and passengers

Ask yourself if you really want to do this. If the answer is yes, then there are ways in which you can help yourself.

If you are used to driving a manual car, then start driving in one of those. 

Practise in quieter areas. Start in small towns or rural roads before tackling cities. 

Avoid rush hour. Mid-morning or early afternoon is calmer. 

Use a GPS with lane guidance and plan your journey before you go, using an old-fashioned map.

Decide if it is going to be more helpful to venture off on your own, or to take a companion. 

In my case, my husband makes me ultra-nervous, so it was essential that I went by myself for the first few journeys. 

However, the right passenger could be helpful if they give moral support and can assist with navigation. Make sure your helper knows the rules beforehand. 

Companionship – oui. Criticism and petrified banging on the dashboard – non!

Read more: is it a good idea to change car insurance providers regularly in France?

Bring the essentials

Before you drive off into the sunset, make sure you have your phone with you and that it is fully charged. 

Have you got plenty of fuel in your tank? Do you have the charging cable?

Ensure that your tyres are pumped up and that you have a spare in the boot. 

Do you have breakdown cover? If so, keep that information in the glovebox. Also remember to bring your insurance details, in the unlikely case you have an accident. 

It is mandatory to carry a reflective vest and warning triangle in the vehicle. 

Do you have a Crit’Air sticker for low-emission zones? 

French habits

French drivers tend to be fast, confident, and expect others to keep pace. Hesitation at roundabouts or intersections can earn you a honk. 

Note, however, that honking is often used to express impatience or alert others – not necessarily aggression. 

On motorways, French drivers have lane discipline but they will not hesitate to go right up your ‘bottom’, tailgating if they think you are too slow.

Driving in France is a rite of passage. As a sexagenarian, I can tell you that it is liberating. I feel even more French since I started pootling around in my convertible Mini.

Remember, it is not a race. Enjoy your journey of exploration. The self-satisfaction is immeasurable and I am delighted to have learned a new skill, which can only be good for my brain.

Tips for nervous expat drivers

• Reframe your mindset – you are learning a new skill. 
• Take frequent breaks from driving – France has plenty of service stations, rest and picnic stops.
• Taking a road safety course may help.
• Do not take yourself too seriously – making mistakes is all part of the process.
• Enjoy your newfound freedom.
• Encourage another nervous expat driver.