Driving in France with an out of date licence

[andrewdoran]

DVLA are late renewing my licence which has a 3 year life owing to my Parkinson's disease.

Whilst they are deciding the matter they have provided a covering letter stating I am legal to drive.

What I would like to know is who/or what in France would have the say on whether this sufficient to cover my driving holiday next week in Normandy?

I have tried the French Consulate in London, the British consulate in Paris, the DVLA and the insurance company and no one will admit to having any knowledge of the matter.

Any ideas, phone numbers, e-mail or web address's would be much appreciated.


Thanks


Andrew Doran

[Krikkit]

Forgive me, but I don't really see the need for the hassle. In the unlikely event of you being stopped you have a letter from the issuer of your licence saying that it is, temporarily, still valid.

[so called]

Krikkit said:

Forgive me, but I don't really see the need for the hassle. In the unlikely event of you being stopped you have a letter from the issuer of your licence saying that it is, temporarily, still valid.

I agree, you have proof so don't worry.
Don't do anything silly and you will not be stopped.
Hope you enjoy your holiday.

[ATG]

For what little it is worth, my experience with French plod de traffic is that they are a very reasonable bunch who apply a fair bit of common sense.

[jsmjsm]

As above. You will be fine.

Have a good holiday and don't worry about it.

[andrewdoran]

~Thankyou, you have all been very positive and kind.

There are a lot of scare stories about the gendarmerie on-line.


It's just the first time I have driven my own car abroad. So I was trying to be cautious. Love driving in the countryside. Hope there is some sun so I can leave the ragtop down.

Thankyou again.


Just have to start planning the next drive, Nurburgring and Austria next spring maybe?

[aw51 121565]

If you keep your head down, les flics won't be interested - so enjoy your holiday (had a few good leisurely driving holidays in France , it's a world apart from driving in the UK - period!).

[so called]

Fingers crossed for the weather and you will love it.

[OdramaSwimLaden]

Krikkit said:

Forgive me, but I don't really see the need for the hassle. In the unlikely event of you being stopped you have a letter from the issuer of your licence saying that it is, temporarily, still valid.

As above really...

Also, for fear of teaching you to suck eggs, see below:

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

......The reflective jackets have to be inside the passenger compartment of the car and not in the boot if I remember correctly. Plod over there love a UK reg, and do check.

Happy driving.....

[mybrainhurts]

Don't worry. The worst they can give you is the guillotine.

[Mr Potato Head]

You're over thinking way to much.

I was super underprepared this year. No paper part of licence, no authority form for my lease car, no V5, nada.

Got stopped on a French roundabout at 11pm, along with all other cars as they were doing a check. They asked for my "papers". Gave them Passport and photo licence, shined the torch at me, the photo's, handed them back. "Au Revoir monsieur". Off I went.