The 'Don't forget...' thread

[Tyre Smoke]

After the European Insurance thread, aside from checking your car insurance is fully comp...

Don't forget travel insurance. The travel advice says that French Immigration may want to see proof before allowing entry - however I really, really doubt that. Nevertheless, not being EU members now, it's a good idea to have it. And also don't forget to take your EHIC card (still valid if still in date) or apply for a GHIC card if you don't have a valid EHIC.

Vehicle reg docs, MOT, insurance, green card, etc put in your glovebox.

Don't forget the spare bulbs, high viz jacket and warning triangle. Not that I've ever been asked to show evidence of any of that. But the law is the law.

Feel free to add anything I've forgotten.

[RobbyJ]

I'm not joking with this one. My noise cancelling headphones so I can relax and not have to listen to the horrors occurring in trap 2 and trap 4 either side of me.

[Truckosaurus]

Proof of vaccination (or whatever extra paperwork non-vaccinated people need) - I was in France last week and just uploaded my NHS QR code into the French app and that was plenty enough.

[Tyre Smoke]

RobbyJ said:

I'm not joking with this one. My noise cancelling headphones so I can relax and not have to listen to the horrors occurring in trap 2 and trap 4 either side of me.

Yep. Have to say I've been doing this for years. The earbuds, not the Merguez evacuations.

[cn7k7]

Masks....you don't need them for covid but you do for the bogs!

[OvalOwl]

Tyre Smoke said:

Vehicle reg docs, MOT, insurance, green card, etc put in your glovebox.

Don't forget the spare bulbs, high viz jacket and warning triangle.

Hi-viz should be in the cabin, not the boot, so you can put it on before exiting the vehicle.

Remember speed limits are lowered in the rain.

[delta0]

Do we need to fill in a PLF form for France?

[size13]

delta0 said:

Do we need to fill in a PLF form for France?

Not that I'm aware of
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/france/en...

[size13]

Not that you should ever want or expect to have an accident but printing a couple of these off in English and French might help deal with any claims...
https://cartraveldocs.com

If you're camping on a site with electrics, you might need EU adapter
https://www.amazon.co.uk/European-Adaptor-Coupler-...

Edited by size13 on Wednesday 25th May 09:56

[cn7k7]

size13 said:

delta0 said:

Do we need to fill in a PLF form for France?

Not that I'm aware of
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/france/en...

I think you do if you are travelling unvaccinated with a PCR test, if you are vaxed I think we just have to fill in a declaration de sanitaire...or how ever you spell it

[LawrieC]

size13 said:

Not that you should ever want or expect to have an accident but printing a couple of these off in English and French might help deal with any claims...
https://cartraveldocs.com

I haven't seen one of those for years. They were standard issue with green cards.

And my optician told me yesterday to wear sunglasses, as UV damages the eyes.

And don't forget those nice village name signs with the red border are also 30 limits

[NoBrakesWC]

Don't think you need green card anymore well that's what my insurance company said. Do you need bulbs or are they not law to carry them just recommended,

[NoBrakesWC]

Truckosaurus said:

Proof of vaccination (or whatever extra paperwork non-vaccinated people need) - I was in France last week and just uploaded my NHS QR code into the French app and that was plenty enough.

This still needed?

[Tyre Smoke]

Only at the border. And make sure you are within 270 days of your last vaccine. Otherwise the French say you aren't any more.

[SimoN138]

Tyre Smoke said:

Only at the border. And make sure you are within 270 days of your last vaccine. Otherwise the French say you aren't any more.

... is that even for the booster? or just #1 and #2?

in fact from HMGov ...

For travellers aged 18 and over, France will recognise you as ‘vaccinated’ for entry purposes if you completed your initial vaccine course within the last 9 months. If more than 9 months have elapsed since your initial course, and you have not since received a booster, you will be considered unvaccinated and must follow the rules detailed below.

... so seems booster lasts a bit longer?

also, eurotunnel have a thing where you need to upload vax cert to booking ... not sure essential but might save a bit of time at the 'gate'.

Edited by SimoN138 on Wednesday 25th May 11:15

[//j17]

LawrieC said:

And don't forget those nice village name signs with the red border are also 30 limits

And that outside the village signs it's generally 80kph, not 90kph (unless the commune in question has changed back again).

[Tyre Smoke]

No, 270 days from your last jab. So if you had the booster, it's that. If you didn't it's from the second dose.

Otherwise you are 'unvaccinated'.

Still time to get a booster if you need one, but you need to leave seven days before travel afterwards.

[SimoN138]

Tyre Smoke said:

No, 270 days from your last jab. So if you had the booster, it's that. If you didn't it's from the second dose.

Otherwise you are 'unvaccinated'.

Still time to get a booster if you need one, but you need to leave seven days before travel afterwards.

... wow, the text is a bit misleading there. i think a lot of people gonna get caught out by that over the summer hols as many were boosted last autumn and no 4th jab is available to most people. thanks for the info.

[Truckosaurus]

Whilst we are talking expiry dates...

Since the B-word the EU are now enforcing a ten year expiry date on UK passports, which is often different to the printed expiry date (it is on mine).

I believe this is actually a 9yrs 9 months limit as your passport has to be valid for your whole potential 90 day stay.

[Tyre Smoke]

That said, it's not a massive faff if you know in advance. You need proof of a negative test if you are 'unvaccinated'. How you go about that is up to you,but I believe photoshop and the Internet are your friends.

I'm OK, had my booster in December.