Trouble at French border crossings?

Trouble at French border crossings?

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B3NNL

Original Poster:

1,056 posts

169 months

Tuesday 26th July 2016
quotequote all
Folks just recieved the message below this morning, can anyone verify this or add any other details? Sounds odd that it's just uk registered cars they're checking.

Some words of advice to anybody planning to drive on the continent in the near future. I have just returned from travelling to Germany, Holland, Belgium and France.
No problems whatsoever between Germany and Holland or Holland and Belgium.
The Belgian/France border is the problem. My advice would be to stay off the motorways as the queues are horrendous, especially near the ports as they are stopping the British.

Do not make any attempt to cross the border at Bray if you are travelling to Belgium from Calais or Dunkirk. Take the coastal road and cross at Bray Dunes and pop out back on the motorway at Veune.

There are police and army at every border crossing. I got into Belgium OK on the coastal road but on the same road coming back was pulled over and everything taken out of the car and it thoroughly seached. Understandable, but allow time for this if you are travelling to the Ferry Port.

Now the really important bit, I was asked for the following paperwork by the border guard (with a very big gun) and was given a thorough telling off when I didnt have all of it.

Passport
Driving Licence - BOTH parts
Car log book (proof of ownership) - I didnt have this (or take car hire company paperwork)
If it is not your car and the address does not match the driving licence you may need to provide some more info.
Car insurance - I didnt have this either
Proof of where you are going to or coming from - an address, hotel or hotel bill and the reason you are going.

They seemed to be pulling over ALL British cars and turning them over, so be warned.

B3NNL

Original Poster:

1,056 posts

169 months

Tuesday 26th July 2016
quotequote all
5potTurbo said:
OP: sorry, but you're very silly for not having your car documents with you.
In my defence, it wasn't me. Everything below my initial sentence was the message emailed to me today by a colleague

B3NNL

Original Poster:

1,056 posts

169 months

Saturday 6th August 2016
quotequote all
We're there now and all was clear. Dover was clear, no delay at customs and no trouble whilst passing the jungle.
Now heading across Belgium to Germany for some bahn storming en route to Switzerland.