France Holiday Beckons - what do I need.

[bearman68]

OK, following on from the I'm stuck in France with no wheel thread.

1) Breakdown insurance purchase. (Obviously won't need that with a 2001 diesel Frontera )
2) One of these (Are they any good?) BINATONE U505 SAT NAV, GPS, UK & WESTERN EUROPE MAPS, LARGE 5in SCREEN.
3) Warning triangle all ready to go.


Do I need:-

• A blow in the bag breath alcohol tester?
• Anything else not on the list?

Many Thanks

[JD]

If you need any spare BMW wheels I have three available.

In all seriousness, you need a hi-vis vest for all onboard, theoretically you need the breath tester, but this is no longer enforceable.

I would also take €260 for recovery from the SANEF roads, a smartphone with european data, a wife/girlfriend who speaks fluent French (marteau is French for hammer fyi)

Edited by JD on Tuesday 7th July 20:42

[lostkiwi]

You need a hi visit jacket or vest for every person in the car and it can't be kept in the boot.
You need a full set of replacement bulbs.
You don't need a breath test kit (they removed that one a year or so ago).

Sat navs I'd recommend a TomTom with European maps. Used ours the last two years and its been excellent.

[numtumfutunch]

Yellow safety jackets

Buy the breathalyser in advance - they cost ££££ at the port

A Sanef Peage tag is a nice luxury if you have time

[feef]

It's easiest to buy the kit with everything..

http://www.halfords.com/motoring-travel/tools-diy/...

Triangle
First aid kit
fluoro jacket/waistcoat
bulb kit

Just add a couple of breathalysers and you're sorted.

Bear in mind that there was a recent law change that came into force this month. It's covered here:

http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/overseas/driv...

And here's a pretty comprehensive list of possible motoring offences and what they may cost you

http://www.french-property.com/guides/france/drivi...


Note the offence regarding the 'Display of device to locate or disturb speed cameras'.

V5 and insurance documents

Edited by feef on Tuesday 7th July 20:44

[lostkiwi]

Good info here:
http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/overseas/driv...

[bearman68]

lostkiwi said:

You need a hi visit jacket or vest for every person in the car and it can't be kept in the boot.
You need a full set of replacement bulbs.
You don't need a breath test kit (they removed that one a year or so ago).

Sat navs I'd recommend a TomTom with European maps. Used ours the last two years and its been excellent.

Thanks for that- I had a Binatone UK unit, and it has been fine, but your recommendation for the TomTom has swayed it, and I've just bought one. Thanks.

[vikingaero]

Technically a GB Sticker/GB Euro Number Plate and beam deflectors (although many don't bother)

Warning Triangle

Driving Licence

V5C

Certificate of Insurance

and really bad Franglais

[JD]

on the sat-nav front, I used my iPhone for all my navigating in Europe, its lacking in some sat-nav functionality (routes etc) but the ability to be able to search for where you want or find things like the cheapest fuel makes up for all the missing sat nav functions.

[bearman68]

JD said:

on the sat-nav front, I used my iPhone for all my navigating in Europe, its lacking in some sat-nav functionality (routes etc) but the ability to be able to search for where you want or find things like the cheapest fuel makes up for all the missing sat nav functions.

Will not have I Phone..... Will not,,,,,, will not.....must not..

[s m]

I had satnav in my car but I also took a Michelin type road map book as it's nice to peruse routes that you might like to take the next day. I found it easier to look at for an overall perspective than a satnav screen when you're sat by a pool etc

[Roo]

bearman68 said:

Will not have I Phone..... Will not,,,,,, will not.....must not..

I've got an android phone on 3.

25gb of data whilst abroad means using Google maps is a doddle.

It's currently 28 degrees here in Dordogne.

[feef]

JD said:

on the sat-nav front, I used my iPhone for all my navigating in Europe, its lacking in some sat-nav functionality (routes etc) but the ability to be able to search for where you want or find things like the cheapest fuel makes up for all the missing sat nav functions.

I use Sygic on my iPhone, which gives me all the functions of a proper 'satnav' and more. And having the maps stored on the device means you don't have to worry about data usage

[audidoody]

+1 for Sanef toll tag

[audidoody]

+1 for Sanef toll tag

[myvision]

And again go for the tag it saved me lots of time on the way down here.

[feef]

What they said....

and since my co-pilot was 4 last trip (he'll be 5 when we go this summer), it makes life much easier than having to get out and walk round to handle the machines.

[Puggit]

Tag is only useful on the major autoroutes (A1, A6, A7, A8, A10, A11) - maybe a handful of other places.
I have never needed one...

[Bluebarge]

Legally required:
Hi-Vis vests;
Warning Triangle;
Spare bulbs (unless xenon);
First-aid kit;
V5;
Certificate of Motor insurance;
Driving licence (all docs must be originals not photocopies);
Beam benders/headlight deflectors;
GB sticker (unless have Euro plates);
Passports!
You may get away with not having some of the above if you are not stopped by the Gendarmes (which is rare unless you are being an a**e) or have a prang, but if you do, then you are giving them another reason to throw the book at you. Fitting beam benders to avoid dazzling other users is basic road sense/manners to my mind.

Not required at all:
Breathalyser

Good idea to have:
Breakdown insurance;
Green Card (unless your motor policy has free comprehensive cover in Europe);
Plenty of cash for tolls (UK cards may not work in the CB credit card lane and you will not be popular if you only find that out when at the head of a 10 car queue who all have to reverse to let you queue at a cash booth);
Michelin Road Atlas of France (great for planning trips/excursions in a way a gps is not);

Wouldn't bother with unless you make regular trips to France:
Sanef toll tag - it may save you a bit of time but it will cost £10 to get one, which it won't if you just pay cash, and you will have to remember to cancel the direct debit when you get home to avoid paying the small annual fee - you will not be in a tearing hurry in a Frontera anyway, and you don't actually pass through that many toll booths, even on a trip to the far South. I have one, and I wouldn't be without it, but it's only worthwhile because I travel to France regularly.

[Podie]

Bluebarge said:

Not required at all:
Breathalyser

My understanding is that the law is actually in place that you require them - however, the fine for not having them is not enforced.

For the sake of a few quid from Amazon, I bought a pair anyway.