Driving in France
Discussion
I'm heading over to France at the weekend and taking the car. I noticed on the AA website that it states there is no fine for not carrying breathalysers so I wasn't going to bother with them. Should I get the head light deflectors. my car has OEM xenons? My number plates have the Scotland flag on them but will I still need a GB sticker? I have a warning triangle and hi-vis. Is tere anything else I need to take or consider?
I think you should get beam deflectors, I always do as I find it bloody annoying when I get dazzled. You ought to be OK with the flag, I think the only other thing you must have are spare bulbs.
The breathalyser law was never introduced in the end.
Also I'm told that the high vis jacket (and maybe the triangle) must be accessible from inside the car.
The breathalyser law was never introduced in the end.
Also I'm told that the high vis jacket (and maybe the triangle) must be accessible from inside the car.
Also worth remembering that Les Flics are hot in built up areas these days. The moment you have passed the town entrance sign (name surrounded by red box) you are in a 50kmph limit.
It's illegal to have pinpoint GPS devices warning you of speed cameras, but I believe you are allowed GPS devices that give you 'danger areas' which highlight areas where cameras may be present.
It's illegal to have pinpoint GPS devices warning you of speed cameras, but I believe you are allowed GPS devices that give you 'danger areas' which highlight areas where cameras may be present.
Just been to France for a couple of weeks and about 2000 miles driving. I took the following:
Legal requirements:
- Hi viz jackets for all car occupants stashed under the drivers seat
- 2 x breath testers in the boot (apparently they are a requirement but not now a fineable offence not to have one/two in the car. I didn't want to be arguing with a Gendarme about a £2 bit of plastic)
- Spare bulb set in the back. Pretty impossible to change a bulb at the roadside in my car, but as above)
- Warning triangle (already in car)
- Headlight deflectors (my car just has halogen lamps, and a physical adjustment was not economically feasible)
- No GB badge, but have number plates with approved Euro/GB badges. AFAIK, a Scotland badge only will not do (somebody can confirm?)
- V5 - not a copy
- Licenses for both drivers - not copies
- Insurance certificate (including windscreen cover etc) and green card - not copies
Optional but very advisable:
- Breakdown cover for France/Europe
- Second set of car keys - kept with Mrs P at all times
- Pre-flight checks of fluids and screenwash in car, plus air in tyres, including the spare
It does sound paranoid, but I really did not want to be stopped by the police and them to find any issue as I don't trust my French to confidently pass an attitude test.
Saying that, most of the driving we did was during the day and didn't go faster than about 135kmh on the autoroutes, paying attention to the speed limit signs, so I didn't think I would have been a target. Familiarising yourself with the local speed limits for dual carriage ways, natnial and urban roads would be very helpful to avoid a pull.
Given the comments on PH in other threads about the heavy handedness of traffic police in France, I was quite surprised in two weeks I did not see a huge police presence (a couple of patrol cars at most) and not too many speed cameras, certainly nothing like the UK. I guess the people who have been pulled have been travelling at extremely high speed.
The whole driving experience was extremely pleasant in fact, smooth quiet roads almost everywhere and lovely cheap diesel, cheapest I bought was €1.28 a litre.
Legal requirements:
- Hi viz jackets for all car occupants stashed under the drivers seat
- 2 x breath testers in the boot (apparently they are a requirement but not now a fineable offence not to have one/two in the car. I didn't want to be arguing with a Gendarme about a £2 bit of plastic)
- Spare bulb set in the back. Pretty impossible to change a bulb at the roadside in my car, but as above)
- Warning triangle (already in car)
- Headlight deflectors (my car just has halogen lamps, and a physical adjustment was not economically feasible)
- No GB badge, but have number plates with approved Euro/GB badges. AFAIK, a Scotland badge only will not do (somebody can confirm?)
- V5 - not a copy
- Licenses for both drivers - not copies
- Insurance certificate (including windscreen cover etc) and green card - not copies
Optional but very advisable:
- Breakdown cover for France/Europe
- Second set of car keys - kept with Mrs P at all times
- Pre-flight checks of fluids and screenwash in car, plus air in tyres, including the spare
It does sound paranoid, but I really did not want to be stopped by the police and them to find any issue as I don't trust my French to confidently pass an attitude test.
Saying that, most of the driving we did was during the day and didn't go faster than about 135kmh on the autoroutes, paying attention to the speed limit signs, so I didn't think I would have been a target. Familiarising yourself with the local speed limits for dual carriage ways, natnial and urban roads would be very helpful to avoid a pull.
Given the comments on PH in other threads about the heavy handedness of traffic police in France, I was quite surprised in two weeks I did not see a huge police presence (a couple of patrol cars at most) and not too many speed cameras, certainly nothing like the UK. I guess the people who have been pulled have been travelling at extremely high speed.
The whole driving experience was extremely pleasant in fact, smooth quiet roads almost everywhere and lovely cheap diesel, cheapest I bought was €1.28 a litre.
Very useful thanks. With regards to bulbs, mine are xenon so you can't change the bulbs. I'd need a replacement unit so I can't take spare bulbs. Should I just take any random set of bulbs to keep them happy? Il keep a GB sticker in the glove compartment incase they don't like the Scotland flag.
Easty-5 said:
Very useful thanks. With regards to bulbs, mine are xenon so you can't change the bulbs. I'd need a replacement unit so I can't take spare bulbs. Should I just take any random set of bulbs to keep them happy? Il keep a GB sticker in the glove compartment incase they don't like the Scotland flag.
It's what I do, I have an old set, never used, from my previous 206. It's a random Halfords set with a number on it - how are French plod to know?Easty-5 said:
Very useful thanks. With regards to bulbs, mine are xenon so you can't change the bulbs. I'd need a replacement unit so I can't take spare bulbs. Should I just take any random set of bulbs to keep them happy? Il keep a GB sticker in the glove compartment incase they don't like the Scotland flag.
Of course its up to you, but personally I wouldn't stash it in the glove box, as it's a pretty obvious to anyone if you do or don't have a "GB badge" on your car. I wouldn't want to tempt the long arm of the law for want of sticking something to the back of the car.I took some bulbs mainly to show I had them, and possibly if an indicator blew. I bought a pack of spares on ebay for about £4.
Dog Star said:
You don't need breathalysers. End of. And if you insist on taking them make sure they're bought in France/French spec; their DD limit is lower.
I've lived over there for years on UK plated cars and had no bother with headlights or lack of GB stickers.
Fair enough. Thanks.I've lived over there for years on UK plated cars and had no bother with headlights or lack of GB stickers.
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