Driving over on the continent

[LovelyTia]

Afternoon all.

Got an upcoming holiday/road trip coming up. This is the first time I'll have been abroad (only just got my first passport) so its my first time driving over there.

Me and my other half + 6 mates are doing this in March.
Our weapons of choice are a clio 197 and a Rover 200.

I know I'll need to check my breakdown cover and ensure I have european breakdown cover.
I'll also need to add European cover to my insurance policy if it doesn't have it already.

I know I need hi-vis, I have one from work but will my passengers need one each too?

Also is it mandatory to carry a breathlyser over there now?

Anything else I need and where are likely places to be able to buy any/all of it?

[zasker]

Each person must have a hi-viz vest and you must be able to get it with out leaving the car. Breathalyser are now a requirement in France at least.

[marshalla]

Requirements vary from country to country : http://driving.drive-alive.co.uk/

[g3org3y]

Items needed: http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/overseas/comp...

Ebay or Amazon is your best bet for items ime. Much cheaper than HMV Comet Blockbusters Halfords.

[LovelyTia]

Thanks for the link thats very handy
Its France and Belgium we will be driving through.

I didn't realise the Hi-vis had to be kept in the car. I'll stick 4 in the pockets at the back of the seat.

[magooagain]

2 vests per car,but maybe wise to have one each. You need also a warning triangle,spare bulb set,fist aid kit,two breatherlisers.

[Donatello]

When I went I took:

All documents - Driving licence, MOT Certificate, Insurance Certificate
Hi-Vis Vest x 2 (one for me and one for my OH)
Spare Bulbs
Warning Triangle
Fire Extinguisher

That, off the top of my head, was what I was required to take with me to travel in France/Belgium/Luxembourg.

[LovelyTia]

Good luck being able to change a bulb on the clio at the roadside.
I have spares for all the sidelights and indicators but not the main beams (xenons)

I keep all my documents with me over here so thats no problem.
I'm guessing the triangle, extra hi-vis and fire extinguisher can be brought from Halfords or Amazon?

Edited by LovelyTia on Thursday 17th January 16:10

[Donatello]

LovelyTia said:

Good luck being able to change a bulb on the clio at the roadside.
I have spares for all the sidelights and indicators but not the main beams (xenons)

That should be enough.

Also, put the vests on the back of the seats so they are visible. I did with ours and we were ignored but my mates went over in an Evo and the police stopped them and told them the vests had to be on display. (Probably just picky but just my advice).

[TommyBuoy]

The AA website has some helpful info too -

http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/overseas/inde...

I'd say keep keep to the speed limits around the ferry ports and airports etc - the French are well known for catching out foreign drivers trying to meet a departure etc.

Other than that, relax - I found it a far nicer drive than over here.

[RicksAlfas]

There's a lot of over information here.

For France you only need one hi-vis - it's for the driver and it has to be in the car. You can carry more if you want.
You need a warning triangle and one unopened breathaliser. (If you are asked to use it, you won't have one so ideally carry two!).
You also need in the car your licence, V5 and insurance certificate.

That's it. Bulbs is a recommendation only these days.

[LovelyTia]

Thanks. I'll leave 1 over the back of the driver and passenger seats and the other 2 in the pockets. I'll also let my friend know too. Anything to avoid being stopped as we ideally want to stay together as a group (even brought walkie talkies with a big range to use in the cars)

Didn't know about the V5 so will ensure thats on my list now too.
I was going to buy 2 anyway if it was required to have one just in case. Knowing my luck I won't use either but better to have them and not need them and all that.

Another good link. Added to my bookmarks to read again closer to the time.

Edited by LovelyTia on Thursday 17th January 16:19

[TommyBuoy]

LovelyTia said:

Good luck being able to change a bulb on the clio at the roadside.
I have spares for all the sidelights and indicators but not the main beams (xenons)

I keep all my documents with me over here so thats no problem.
I'm guessing the triangle, extra hi-vis and fire extinguisher can be brought from Halfords or Amazon?

Edited by LovelyTia on Thursday 17th January 16:10

Don't worry about the fire extinguisher - not a requirement. Halfords do a 'catch all' kit that should cover you. My car has a flat beam pattern, but yours won't so carry the beam deflectors and use them if you wish (I know some people don't bother).

[LovelyTia]

The xenons are self adjusting. Will that make a difference to what you've said?

[GAjon]

If you have to wear prescription glasses for driving you have to have a spare pair in the vehicle, sun glasses don't count.

[LovelyTia]

GAjon said:

If you have to wear prescription glasses for driving you have to have a spare pair in the vehicle, sun glasses don't count.

Bugger I don't have a spare set. Will contact lenses suffice?

[littleredrooster]

Breathalyser requirement has been postponed until at least March, my French friends tell me, due to lack of supplies. There's also a small matter of some very senior French Policeman who is a Director (allegedly) of one of the few 'approved companies' who make them. Or not.

Edit to add: Don't see that anyone else has yet mentioned that all documentation have to be originals not copies.

[RicksAlfas]

littleredrooster said:

Breathalyser requirement has been postponed until at least March, my French friends tell me, due to lack of supplies. There's also a small matter of some very senior French Policeman who is a Director (allegedly) of one of the few 'approved companies' who make them. Or not.

Quelle surprise!

[TommyBuoy]

LovelyTia said:

The xenons are self adjusting. Will that make a difference to what you've said?

By self adjusting do you mean self-levelling? The beam deflectors take out the left side beam that would normally shine on road signs, hedges etc in this country, but when on the otherside of the road would blind other traffic.

You may be able to switch between LHD & RHD beam patterns. I'm not sure - someone else will know.

ETA - as above

Does anyone know if you have to carry the paper counterpart of the driving license - I did, but then I didn't get stopped until trying to get back into the UK...

If you do get stopped by customs and they ask you where your coming from, don't say calais - they don't laugh and they pull you aside for a more thorough search (of the car I might add)!

Edited by TommyBuoy on Thursday 17th January 16:44

Edited by TommyBuoy on Thursday 17th January 16:44

[RVVUNM]

Don't speed, you WILL get caught and do not take a radar detector, the fed's get really upset and will take all your money.