Driving Abroad - couple of questions

[paulrockliffe]

What do I need to know prior to a trip to France?

Off the top of my head I need to do something with my lights, get a first aid kit, high-viz and warning triangle. Anything else I should be aware of?

Also, breakdown cover, I've got standard RAC membership, doesn't cover Europe. Does anyone have any experience of upgrade costs or whether it's cost effective to buy cover just for the duration of the trip?

Thanks

[sinizter]

High vis - in cabin
First aid kit
Warning triangle
Spare bulb kit - regardless of whether the bulbs are of any use to your car

Stickers for lights
GB sticker or on numberplate

Take all documents with you.
Have passenger insured to drive, should you have a disagreement with police

[alcovrugbyfan]

Spare set of bulbs in the car
GB Badge
Yellow Jacket
Warning Triangle
Green Card for your insurance

[GAjon]

Hi viz for all occupants, if you wear glasses for driving you need a spare pair in the vehicle.

[paulrockliffe]

Nice one cheers, what's the green card thing for Insurance?

[hesnotthemessiah]

I think I'm right in saying as well as the above..... You need spare fuses as well.

[Ullevi]

GAjon said:

Hi viz for all occupants, if you wear glasses for driving you need a spare pair in the vehicle.

I believe the Hi viz have to be in the cabin of the car- accessible, in other words not in the spare wheel well under piles of luggage!

[JonnyFive]

paulrockliffe said:

Nice one cheers, what's the green card thing for Insurance?

I thought you only need that if you've got extra cover taken out for european insurance.. My insurance covers me for up to 30days per trip, so just took my policy with me.

[Chrisw666]

paulrockliffe said:

Nice one cheers, what's the green card thing for Insurance?

You probably don't need it. But check your policy includes euro cover and that you don't have to inform your insurers.

I didn't read mine properly and they refused to cover me which ended up costing me a lot of money.

[GAjon]

paulrockliffe said:

Nice one cheers, what's the green card thing for Insurance?

I take my insurance docs with me which have a policy statement in all main European languages on the back.
Could say all coppers are bds for all I know though!

[vixen1700]

Is the GB badge compulsary, as I've never had one on my trips through France?

[Diamond blue]

Its 1 Hi-Viz per car, NOT per occupant.
Good tip about having the passenger insured to drive.
ALL docs including a copy of the V5, triangle, First aid kit,
Bulbs are not compulsory but if one is not working you cant technically drive the car.
Up to you about the headlights , you wont get pulled up about it.
BUY A MICHELIN ROAD MAP OF FRANCE
Dont just rely on sat-navs

[JonnyFive]

vixen1700 said:

Is the GB badge compulsary, as I've never had one on my trips through France?

I put one on mine as at Halfrauds it was 3for2 on Euro stuff and I only needed 2 High Viz so got a little sticker too

[GAjon]

Some useful stuff on this site.


http://www.drive-alive.co.uk/

Click on the driving in Europe link.

[sjg]

Everything you need here: http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/overseas/coun...

Only legal requirements in France are one hi-viz (in the cabin) and a warning triangle. Things like first aid, spare bulbs, etc are worth having though. If you can't switch your headlight direction (look in the manual) then beam reflectors - the eurolites that Halfords sell are recommended by most manufacturers and fine on all lights including HIDs. Don't bother sticking them on unless you're going to be driving at night though.

I paid about £30 for a week of euro breakdown cover, but that was a few years back on a car that was about 4 years old at the time. It can ramp up a lot for older stuff.

[ROOODBOY]

Motorway speed limit is different if it's raining.

130kmh (81mph)dry
110kmh (68mph)wet

The police have Imprezas, and hide in sometimes inconspicuous 'laybys' at the side of the motorway.

Often lorry drivers on the opposite carriageway will flash lights to warn of a police presence further down.

[5lab]

in some countries (can't remember which) all forms of speed camera detectors (including, if i remember right, sat nav with speed camera POIs) are banned and you face a hefty fine, even if they are just in your boot.

[-crookedtail-]

Also keep the speed down, its easy to get carried away with the smooth roads and light traffic!

In fairness they have signs warning of impending speed cameras, which I happened to miss just outside Caen on Friday, got flashed 100kph in a 90 zone, not sure if I will get a bill or not!

[JonnyFive]

Oh and don't get used to the good driving quality over there, as when you get back you'll be pissed off within a few minutes of our terrible driving standards.

Also, wave to other UK plate'd vehicles.. We did, nearly always got a wave back

[Denis O]

Passport.

Obviously you need it to get into the country but you should always have it available whilst driving in the country as le plod will want to inspect if they stop you and get the reging 'ump if you left it in the hotel room etc, etc.