Driving to France! N00b questions / advice.

Driving to France! N00b questions / advice.

Author
Discussion

TTommy

Original Poster:

158 posts

124 months

Thursday 7th July 2016
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Hi all.

Looking to go for 5 days to France, possibly Normundy sort of area / West coast.

I've never driven before, so have done some research..

A few things I'm confused about -

1. What do I actually need? Haha. GB Sticker, Hi-Vis, and some headlight adjusters? Apparently the breathalyzer idea is no longer needed?

2. Toll roads! Is it worth just paying as you go, or worth signing up to this: https://www.saneftolling.co.uk/support/faq/support...

Seems good value, for whatever it is... haha.

3. Getting a puncture in the middle of nowhere is kind of playing on my mind. The jack that comes with my car (330cd) is pants, would I be horrifically silly to take along my proper jack.. *just incase?* I will also be buying European breakdown cover!


Other than that, any top tips or driving roads or places to stay / visit would be awesome!

Thanks

Tom

audidoody

8,595 posts

255 months

Thursday 7th July 2016
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Don't forget insurance certificate and V5C logbook. Pay extra premium for comprehensive cover.

TTommy

Original Poster:

158 posts

124 months

Thursday 7th July 2016
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Thanks mate! Will double check I'm covered abroad, too!


s70rmp

649 posts

128 months

Thursday 7th July 2016
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This may help you tick off what you need to take/carry

http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/touring_tips/...

phil y

548 posts

121 months

Thursday 7th July 2016
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Beware the French drivers on roundabouts. They only ever use the outside lane, even when going all the way round. And indicating is haphazard.

blueST

4,378 posts

215 months

Thursday 7th July 2016
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Firstly, driving in France is almost a total pleasure compared to here. You will hate our roads when you get back.

Don't sweat too much about what to take. What you actually must have vs what people think is a good idea is not always easy figure out.

V5 and insurance docs, absolutely must take.

Beam deflectors are a requirement, but many don't bother. If nothing else, it's courteous not to drive round blinding everyone at night. Just use electrical tape, don't spend £10 on a kit. Google will tell you where to stick it. Some cars with projector lights have a shutter you can flip down to alter beam.

GB sticker. Technically yes again, but I haven't bothered for a long time. If you have the country code on your plates already, you don't need another sticker obviously. You should have your hi viz vests somewhere you can reach them without leaving the car. Last I heard, breathalysers were a requirement but there is no penalty if you are caught without them! I usually chuck a warning triangle in because my dad told me they were needed about thirty years ago. Don't know if it is true or not though

I have driven to France something like three times a year for the last 15 years with some, or all, or none of the above and no one has ever asked to see any of it. But then I never had a crash, touch wood. If you had a run in with Gendarmes for speeding or having a bump, maybe they would want to check.

As for the Sanef toll tag. I wouldn't bother for a single trip. I have one and it costs a fair few Euros to set up and there's a few other small fees. If you go this time and you find the tolls a hassle consider it for next time.

I wouldn't take the jack. If your factory one breaks then ring recovery. Punctures are rare these days.

TTommy

Original Poster:

158 posts

124 months

Thursday 7th July 2016
quotequote all
blueST said:
Firstly, driving in France is almost a total pleasure compared to here. You will hate our roads when you get back.

Don't sweat too much about what to take. What you actually must have vs what people think is a good idea is not always easy figure out.

V5 and insurance docs, absolutely must take.

Beam deflectors are a requirement, but many don't bother. If nothing else, it's courteous not to drive round blinding everyone at night. Just use electrical tape, don't spend £10 on a kit. Google will tell you where to stick it. Some cars with projector lights have a shutter you can flip down to alter beam.

GB sticker. Technically yes again, but I haven't bothered for a long time. If you have the country code on your plates already, you don't need another sticker obviously. You should have your hi viz vests somewhere you can reach them without leaving the car. Last I heard, breathalysers were a requirement but there is no penalty if you are caught without them! I usually chuck a warning triangle in because my dad told me they were needed about thirty years ago. Don't know if it is true or not though

I have driven to France something like three times a year for the last 15 years with some, or all, or none of the above and no one has ever asked to see any of it. But then I never had a crash, touch wood. If you had a run in with Gendarmes for speeding or having a bump, maybe they would want to check.

As for the Sanef toll tag. I wouldn't bother for a single trip. I have one and it costs a fair few Euros to set up and there's a few other small fees. If you go this time and you find the tolls a hassle consider it for next time.

I wouldn't take the jack. If your factory one breaks then ring recovery. Punctures are rare these days.
Your a legend; thanks!

I don't want to stick a GB sticker on my car haha. I hope it comes right off after lol.

I have actually driven around france when I was 18 but I was in my parents car and didn't need to worry about anything - the roads were awesome.

I'm guessing AA etc are just as good abroad? Or do they hire out local-ish people? Meh. Will give them a call!

Ta everyone.

surveyor

17,768 posts

183 months

Thursday 7th July 2016
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Some of the queues, particularly around Paris for the tolls can be long. Pass then comes into it's own.

blueST

4,378 posts

215 months

Thursday 7th July 2016
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TTommy said:
Your a legend; thanks!

I don't want to stick a GB sticker on my car haha. I hope it comes right off after lol.

I have actually driven around france when I was 18 but I was in my parents car and didn't need to worry about anything - the roads were awesome.

I'm guessing AA etc are just as good abroad? Or do they hire out local-ish people? Meh. Will give them a call!

Ta everyone.
If you wax the car before you put the sticker on it will peel off, probably without evening leaving any residue.

Whoever you buy your breakdown cover off will just use a local recovery operator. If your car has a major fault, they won't fix it abroad. They will repatriate it at there leisure which can take a while. I don't know what the value of car is but, some policies won't get your car home if the cost outweighs it's value. Worth looking into if you have something that isn't worth a fortune.

surveyor

17,768 posts

183 months

Thursday 7th July 2016
quotequote all
blueST said:
TTommy said:
Your a legend; thanks!

I don't want to stick a GB sticker on my car haha. I hope it comes right off after lol.

I have actually driven around france when I was 18 but I was in my parents car and didn't need to worry about anything - the roads were awesome.

I'm guessing AA etc are just as good abroad? Or do they hire out local-ish people? Meh. Will give them a call!

Ta everyone.
If you wax the car before you put the sticker on it will peel off, probably without evening leaving any residue.

Whoever you buy your breakdown cover off will just use a local recovery operator. If your car has a major fault, they won't fix it abroad. They will repatriate it at there leisure which can take a while. I don't know what the value of car is but, some policies won't get your car home if the cost outweighs it's value. Worth looking into if you have something that isn't worth a fortune.
or if it's a metal book, a magnetic sticker...

blueST

4,378 posts

215 months

Thursday 7th July 2016
quotequote all
One thing worth reading is the rules on Priorite a Droite (Give way to the right). It basically means you should give way to traffic entering a road from the right unless you see the diamond sign, which then gives you have right of way.

This explains it better than I can http://www.vendee-guide.co.uk/priority-a-droite.ht...

Maybe someone who lives out there can comment, but to my tourist's eyes it seemed like priorite a droite pretty much vanished and diamond signs were everywhere, meaning you could drive much as you would in the UK. But, making people give way to the right seems to be making bit of comeback as a traffic calming measure in some towns.

The Leaper

4,937 posts

205 months

Thursday 7th July 2016
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Be careful when looking at insurance while abroad. Many insurers say they offer it automatically and they do. The trouble is what many are offering is the minimum legally required cover for the country concerned, France in your case. This is woefully below typical UK comp cover. If you have fully comp in the UK and want that in France then you will have to make absolutely sure that's what you're getting, and it'll cost you more probably.

I'm going to France tomorrow for four days in my car with my son and we're sharing the driving. I already have fully comp when abroad. To cover my son for four days is costing just under £60 which includes an annoying £25 admin fee. This may give you some idea of the extra cost of fully comp if you haven't got in your policy already.

I also have had a Sanef toll tag for the past 5 years. Would not be without it. Avoids all queues, fiddling with machines, finding the cash etc. I don't think it is expensive. There's a charge to get the tag which is fully refundable when you send it back if you've finished with it. Then for every month you actually use the tag there's a one off charge of €5. You get an invoice for this including the toll charges at the normal rate. So, get the tag, then no worries, pay the bill when you're back.

My family and friends also borrow my tag whenever they go to France (you can get the same thing for Italy, incidentally). Sanef will send you 2 clips with the tag and you can get from Sanef extra clips for the tag so each vehicle can have its own clip, and simply transfer the tag between cars for their separate trips. There's no extra charge for extra clips.

R.

blueST

4,378 posts

215 months

Thursday 7th July 2016
quotequote all
surveyor said:
or if it's a metal book, a magnetic sticker...
Whilst neither is going to trash your car, sticker for me every time. Putting magnetic stuff on my paint makes me shiver. The thought of tiny metal fragments magnetised to the back of the GB sticker then being pressed or slid onto my paint....... But then I am a bit odd!

Neilsfirst

567 posts

156 months

Thursday 7th July 2016
quotequote all
blueST said:
One thing worth reading is the rules on Priorite a Droite (Give way to the right). It basically means you should give way to traffic entering a road from the right unless you see the diamond sign, which then gives you have right of way.

This explains it better than I can http://www.vendee-guide.co.uk/priority-a-droite.ht...

Maybe someone who lives out there can comment, but to my tourist's eyes it seemed like priorite a droite pretty much vanished and diamond signs were everywhere, meaning you could drive much as you would in the UK. But, making people give way to the right seems to be making bit of comeback as a traffic calming measure in some towns.
Priorite a Droite (Give way to the right)is generally sign posted in towns but out in the sticks not so much. If you see signs for crossroads and it us in the shape of an x you do not have priority to roads on the right. If it is in the shape of a crucifix you do have priority.

Trucks and buses are legally bound to go all the way around the outside of roundabouts. Ridiculous rule but they are French!

Enjoy the country and as a holiday I would avoid the tolls and take your time.

audidoody

8,595 posts

255 months

Thursday 7th July 2016
quotequote all
On the Autoroute keep your indicator on until you've finished your overtaking move and moved back to the inside lane.

AlWAYS check mirrors before overtaking. They don't slow down for overtakers!

Don't dawdle in the 'fast' lane = or you'll find a 20-year-old Twingo up your exhaust which will ALWAYS be driven faster than your car.

Leaving the toll booth area is a bit of a free-for-all whacky races. About 20 (unmarked) lanes of traffic racing to converge into two or three. Don't try and race the French. Best to hang back and slot in to your lane without drama.

Flying Penguin

326 posts

158 months

Friday 8th July 2016
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TTommy said:
1. What do I actually need?
This:


Dave Brand

928 posts

267 months

Friday 8th July 2016
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Some peages, particularly near the Channel ports, have lanes with toll booths set up for RHD cars. If I remember correctly they are signed with a Union Flag.

TTommy

Original Poster:

158 posts

124 months

Friday 8th July 2016
quotequote all
Thanks everyone!

One thing I've just been reading about is the Diesel over there, can be a bit.. rubbish? Biodiesel of up to 8% or something!

I've got an E46 330CD and will fill up before entering France with the goodstuff, giving me a 650 mile tank range; will I be OK using french derv?

Insurance details TBC this lunchtime!!

Rosscow

8,723 posts

162 months

Friday 8th July 2016
quotequote all
TTommy said:
Thanks everyone!

One thing I've just been reading about is the Diesel over there, can be a bit.. rubbish? Biodiesel of up to 8% or something!

I've got an E46 330CD and will fill up before entering France with the goodstuff, giving me a 650 mile tank range; will I be OK using french derv?

Insurance details TBC this lunchtime!!
I've never had a problem using French diesel in my 3.0tdi A6.

chazola

459 posts

156 months

Friday 8th July 2016
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French Diesel (gazole) is fine, and cheaper than here, so you'd do better to fill up there. Some French filling stations don't accept UK cards though, so have cash ready.
I find most French tailgate, even when you're sitting at the limit. I think it's just the way they drive, or it's because of the GB sticker on the car smile I've never been beeped or flashed though, I think they are more patient than us even though they drive just as quickly (or quicker!)
Just be aware and think at roundabouts and busy junctions, and once out of towns French country roads are generally a joy, hardly any traffic and good roads.

Edited by chazola on Friday 8th July 10:40