Driving in France
Discussion
cerbylondon said:
Hi all. I am leaving for the south of france next week and we are driving down in the X5. What checks shall I do to ensure the car is ready for a 1000 mile drive. Also what to do I need in and on the car for it to be road leagal over there. Thanks in advance, regards Rob.
Warning triangle, fluorescent jacket, headlamp beam adaptors and GB sticker/number platesCheck all levels, tyre pressures etc
See AA website for items you will need. The vests must be in the cabin area, or accessible from the cabin (the French Police check this).
If you have a radar detector you should leave it at home. Even having it in the car is an offence, and they do check sometimes if they suspect you are a 'user'.
Also, France is no longer a speeder's paradise - watch the locals and how/where they speed, and esp. where they don't. I've just returned from Europe and the French are definitely driving much slower these days (through fear).
If you have a radar detector you should leave it at home. Even having it in the car is an offence, and they do check sometimes if they suspect you are a 'user'.
Also, France is no longer a speeder's paradise - watch the locals and how/where they speed, and esp. where they don't. I've just returned from Europe and the French are definitely driving much slower these days (through fear).
I drove down to the South of France last month and if I'm honest didn't check anything before I went :tut tut:, but I did make it back in one piece!
I also got flashed 4 times by speed cameras on the way back - one for doing 138kph in a 130kph zone! The other 3 for speeding, but by no means silly speeds! If you are flashed, don't worry about it as currently fines/points don't cross border through to the UK.
You don't say how old your car is, but usual common sense checks are the right thing to do, and do take a florescent jacket as the old gendarme will remove Euros from your pocket if they find you without one
I also got flashed 4 times by speed cameras on the way back - one for doing 138kph in a 130kph zone! The other 3 for speeding, but by no means silly speeds! If you are flashed, don't worry about it as currently fines/points don't cross border through to the UK.
You don't say how old your car is, but usual common sense checks are the right thing to do, and do take a florescent jacket as the old gendarme will remove Euros from your pocket if they find you without one
Targarama said:
See AA website for items you will need. The vests must be in the cabin area, or accessible from the cabin (the French Police check this).
If you have a radar detector you should leave it at home. Even having it in the car is an offence, and they do check sometimes if they suspect you are a 'user'.
Also, France is no longer a speeder's paradise - watch the locals and how/where they speed, and esp. where they don't. I've just returned from Europe and the French are definitely driving much slower these days (through fear).
I didn't think radar detectors are illegal in France, only radar blockers .If you have a radar detector you should leave it at home. Even having it in the car is an offence, and they do check sometimes if they suspect you are a 'user'.
Also, France is no longer a speeder's paradise - watch the locals and how/where they speed, and esp. where they don't. I've just returned from Europe and the French are definitely driving much slower these days (through fear).
Killwilly said:
Targarama said:
See AA website for items you will need. The vests must be in the cabin area, or accessible from the cabin (the French Police check this).
If you have a radar detector you should leave it at home. Even having it in the car is an offence, and they do check sometimes if they suspect you are a 'user'.
Also, France is no longer a speeder's paradise - watch the locals and how/where they speed, and esp. where they don't. I've just returned from Europe and the French are definitely driving much slower these days (through fear).
I didn't think radar detectors are illegal in France, only radar blockers .If you have a radar detector you should leave it at home. Even having it in the car is an offence, and they do check sometimes if they suspect you are a 'user'.
Also, France is no longer a speeder's paradise - watch the locals and how/where they speed, and esp. where they don't. I've just returned from Europe and the French are definitely driving much slower these days (through fear).
john_p said:
Poundland for the jackets 
+1 that's where we got ours too 
Actually, what's the law in France about using sat nav where there's "safety" camera locations loaded onto it already? I'm asking as I've just bought a TomTom One with the euro maps and the bumpf with it says it has pre-loaded camera locations: should I remove these before heading back into Europe?
(sorry for the hijack but still hopefully relevant to OP!)
Edited by a11y_m on Friday 31st July 11:03
Doing the same thing on the 11th down to Port Grimaud.
So far have serviced car myself and checked it round. Bought a bulb set, have triangle in boot which is original, haven't got the high vis but will get some (didn't know until reading this we needed them).
Also need to get the headlamp thingy's.
Good luck and safe drive
So far have serviced car myself and checked it round. Bought a bulb set, have triangle in boot which is original, haven't got the high vis but will get some (didn't know until reading this we needed them).
Also need to get the headlamp thingy's.
Good luck and safe drive
a11y_m said:
john_p said:
Poundland for the jackets
+1 that's where we got ours too Actually, what's the law in France about using sat nav where there's "safety" camera locations loaded onto it already? I'm asking as I've just bought a TomTom One with the euro maps and the bumpf with it says it has pre-loaded camera locations: should I remove these before heading back into Europe?
(sorry for the hijack but still hopefully relevant to OP!)
Edited by a11y_m on Friday 31st July 11:03
for reassurance..
Also be aware that if you are stopped, you only need one dayglo jacket per person actually travelling in the car. Furthermore, those jackets must be kept in the cabin (NOT THE BOOT!) so that they are immediately available in an emergency. If you are silly enough to chuck them in the boot you almost certainly will be escorted to the nearest ATM.... My brother lives in Southern France so trust me.
Edited by SittingBull on Friday 31st July 11:31
aarondrs said:
Doing the same thing on the 11th down to Port Grimaud.
So far have serviced car myself and checked it round. Bought a bulb set, have triangle in boot which is original, haven't got the high vis but will get some (didn't know until reading this we needed them).
Also need to get the headlamp thingy's.
Good luck and safe drive
You will love Port Grimaud but hate St Tropez.Eat in the waterside Thai/Indonesian restaurants in Port Grimaud. Certainly don't eat anywhere in the evening in St Tropez itself unless you have a large credit card limit. During August the car park that you will be directed into @ St Tropez is terrible & expensive, but there is no other option other than the car parks for the horrendously expensive "A" List beach restaurants (Cheap salad/burger joints - but costing £30+ for a grotty 50p Asda quality burger!). Get parked in main St Tropez car park before 0930 & wander. Sit down at one of the bars in the (very small) harbour & enjoy a couple of Coffees or an Anise or two & just watch the people waking up on their fairly small "Mega-Yachts" - The St Tropez harbour won't take "Super Yachts" like Monaco or Puerto Banus (where I used to live, overlooking the Marina).So far have serviced car myself and checked it round. Bought a bulb set, have triangle in boot which is original, haven't got the high vis but will get some (didn't know until reading this we needed them).
Also need to get the headlamp thingy's.
Good luck and safe drive
For a reasonably priced lunch just walk into the ally at the corner of the harbour. You will buy a delicious Panini over the counter for about 3.5 Euros.
In August, don't even consider driving the 60 odd miles to Monaco. It will take you over 4 hours each way. An ice cream in Monte Carlo is over 6 Euro's! The coastal road is jammed all day.
After trying the food in Port Grimaud, drive no more than 5-20 miles inland & try the small restaurants in villages that only the French use. The "Platte de jour" or "Meal of the day" - aimed at the French workman is always 3 courses & no more than 11 Euro's. It's always pretty damn good - unless it is something like Pig's Trotter's! Enjoy your trip.
KenD said:
On the jackets you need one per occupant, there is some debate that you need one per seat wether the seat is occupied or not
Not according to the AA website - you need one for the driver only:REFLECTIVE JACKETS & WARNING TRIANGLES IN FRANCE
The French Road Safety Department has confirmed that:
From 1st October 2008 all drivers in France, including drivers of vehicles registered outside of France, must have one warning triangle and one reflective jacket in their vehicle.
This regulation, which we understand does not apply to two and three wheeled vehicles, will be enforced with on-the-spot fines of between €90 and €135.
Iain328 said:
KenD said:
On the jackets you need one per occupant, there is some debate that you need one per seat wether the seat is occupied or not
Not according to the AA website - you need one for the driver only:REFLECTIVE JACKETS & WARNING TRIANGLES IN FRANCE
The French Road Safety Department has confirmed that:
From 1st October 2008 all drivers in France, including drivers of vehicles registered outside of France, must have one warning triangle and one reflective jacket in their vehicle.
This regulation, which we understand does not apply to two and three wheeled vehicles, will be enforced with on-the-spot fines of between €90 and €135.
KenD said:
If you feel competent to argue the toss with a French Gendarme who is ready to escort you to the ATM, take one jacket, Last friday I was stopped just short of Calais and had to produce one jacket per person in the car!
Nothing like real-world experience ! 
Useful to know, thanks.Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff