French Regulations

[wsn03]

I thought I'd check out what the latest rules are, and according to my searches you have to carry some items with you to avoid hefty fines. No idea if they turn a blind eye for Le Mans, if anyone knows please say.

List of stuff as far as I can tell and most likely places to get it (disclaimer - do your own research).

- Hi Viz jacket -
- Spare bulbs
- Safety Tiangle
- Light Beam Benders
- Breathalyser - they are apparently no longer fining you for not having them because of various issues [however they are still law so make your own choice]
- First Aid Kit
ALL THE ABOVE APART FROM BREATHALYSER CAN BE BOUGHT WITH Halfords Motoring Abroad Kit- £20 (don't confuse it with the AA one which is a lot more expensive).

Plus (to add stuff listed in replies to this post)
Must haves:

- V5 (or copy)
- insurance doc (or copy)
- Driving license
- Cash

Edited by wsn03 on Monday 22 May 14:52

Edited by wsn03 on Monday 22 May 14:53

Edited by wsn03 on Monday 22 May 14:55

Edited by wsn03 on Tuesday 23 May 12:48

Edited by wsn03 on Wednesday 24th May 16:32

Edited by wsn03 on Friday 26th May 13:45

Edited by wsn03 on Friday 26th May 13:46

Edited by wsn03 on Friday 26th May 21:21

[delta0]

Are bulbs definitely required? A lot of cars you can't change a bulb easily at the side of a road.

[Hoolio]

delta0 said:

Are bulbs definitely required? A lot of cars you can't change a bulb easily at the side of a road.

Yes, though nobody said they need to fit your car

[MrC986]

Hoolio said:

Yes, though nobody said they need to fit your car

^ that's always been my method of thinking! I'd like to see me fit a bulb for them on a modern car given how much is normally squeezed in the engine bay....

[Retept]

[quote=MrC986]




I've testing my bulbs today, I wouldn't want them to work if I blew a bulb.....

[jonby]

The items listed in the OP, other than the hi viz jacket, are almost never checked

However what is crucial if you are stopped is V5, insurance document, driving licence and cash - must have been pulled a minimum of a dozen or more times in France over the years between myself or friends in my group - they are the only things they have ever asked to see

[RL17]

25 years ago used to bother with tape on light glass. tried beam adjustment on Jaguar once and a real PITA to get into light as engine backed up to it. 20 to 30 times in other vehicles for skiing and mountain bike trips never bothered with light adjustment and as travelling down on day and returning in day it's a non-issue for me. Whereas documents in previous post are a must.

[David W.]

Original docs or photo copies.

[wsn03]

Was told last night about documents, ill add to the list

[jonby]

As referred to in my earlier post, they simply don't check for the physical items of equipment when they stop you, other than hi viz jackets sometimes

However I am fairly sure that the spare bulbs are no longer a legal requirement anyway

Also, with regard to conversion for RHD cars, I would imagine that most people travelling to Le Mans don't drive once it's dark - they tend to drive there and back during the day and once there, the car is parked up on a campsite for the duration. The law is about dazzling oncoming traffic not having your headlamps converted, so if you aren't driving at night, it's a non-issue anyway

[//j17]

jonby said:

Also, with regard to conversion for RHD cars, I would imagine that most people travelling to Le Mans don't drive once it's dark...

Some years you do find yourself driving in the rain though, and in France you have to put your lights on if it's raining.




But I've still got the same set of deflectors I bought about 10 years-ago in the glove box, that I tell myself I'll do while queuing for the train but get distracted by bacon and forget.

[allojon]

Or you could just read any of the motoring organisation 'driving in France' guides & the Foreign Office info, and with a bit of initiative get the information from an official up to date source.

https://www.theaa.com/european-breakdown-cover/dri...
https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/travel/country/france/
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/france

[gt6]

The uk gov sites no longer mentions either spare bulbs or breath kits, pretty sure the law re those kits never got passed so that is why they can not fine you, it is slowly being allowed to fad into history. was on the ferry to dunkerke (for spa rac) earlier this month and they seemed to have dropped them from sale, probably got rid of old stock and will not be ordering anymore.

[struttob]

Think you also need to carry a first aid kit, and remember when travelling that the HiViz MUST be available for use within the cabin of the vehicle, so dont leave them in the boot ! I got a reprimand for this one year when I got checked at 3.00am down at Mulsanne.

Bob

[wsn03]

struttob said:

Think you also need to carry a first aid kit, and remember when travelling that the HiViz MUST be available for use within the cabin of the vehicle, so dont leave them in the boot ! I got a reprimand for this one year when I got checked at 3.00am down at Mulsanne.

Bob

First Aid Kit is a good one, I've added that to the list. Not found that on any of the sites yet, but it would make sense. Must say the sites in the UK don't seem to list / know what is really needed. I think I'll take everything now listed in my opening post (c/o peoples contributions)

[feef]

Halfords AA Euro Travel Kit Plus.


Everything you need for £20

[delta0]

struttob said:

Think you also need to carry a first aid kit, and remember when travelling that the HiViz MUST be available for use within the cabin of the vehicle, so dont leave them in the boot ! I got a reprimand for this one year when I got checked at 3.00am down at Mulsanne.

Bob

I've heard this also. I will put them on the back seats

[wsn03]

feef said:

Halfords AA Euro Travel Kit Plus.


Everything you need for £20

Great shout, I've just bought one, and I've edited the opening post to mention it.

[vsonix]

jonby said:

The items listed in the OP, other than the hi viz jacket, are almost never checked

However what is crucial if you are stopped is V5, insurance document, driving licence and cash - must have been pulled a minimum of a dozen or more times in France over the years between myself or friends in my group - they are the only things they have ever asked to see

They've asked to see if you have cash..? Or, they want an on the spot bribefine?

[Nicholas Blair]

I'm not too sure what to make of the 'light beam benders' lol