France, solo, in a RHD car
Discussion
How does one manage with autoroute toll booths, car park barriers etc. many of which are unmanned?
Reaching through the car isn't really an option since I can't reach far enough.
Moving over to the passenger seat probably won't give me enough time at automated barriers, and my car has a centre console so I'm not sure it's even doable.
Getting out of the car probably won't leave me enough time either.
Reaching through the car isn't really an option since I can't reach far enough.
Moving over to the passenger seat probably won't give me enough time at automated barriers, and my car has a centre console so I'm not sure it's even doable.
Getting out of the car probably won't leave me enough time either.
Get yourself a SANEF toll tag - then you can drive through without having to use the booths
ETA: https://www.saneftolling.co.uk/
ETA: https://www.saneftolling.co.uk/
badgerade said:
Get yourself a SANEF toll tag - then you can drive through without having to use the booths
ETA: https://www.saneftolling.co.uk/
This! They're really good. They reduce the toll costs and only cost about 2 euros a month when used, so if you don't use it for 6 months of the year, it's only cost you 12 euros!ETA: https://www.saneftolling.co.uk/
Unfortunately you can't drive through them quickly like the Japanese system
I've done it a couple of times. If you're lucky some tolls are double sided.
But most are not. Its a pull up, run around, pay, run back, get in and drive off in a cloud of tyre smoke before the barrier comes down.
In reality it's all monitored and you can take your time paying and driving off.
But most are not. Its a pull up, run around, pay, run back, get in and drive off in a cloud of tyre smoke before the barrier comes down.
In reality it's all monitored and you can take your time paying and driving off.
The barriers will stay up until the car passes a sensor, you have plenty of time to get out and walk round.
My advise is don't follow the car in front too closely when their barrier raises, I did that once last summer and the barrier stayed up! There was nobody answering the intercom system so we were unable to get a ticket and with the queue of cars behind, reversing out was not an option so had to drive straight through. The next peage was interesting when we had to pay the toll and try and explain what had happened
My advise is don't follow the car in front too closely when their barrier raises, I did that once last summer and the barrier stayed up! There was nobody answering the intercom system so we were unable to get a ticket and with the queue of cars behind, reversing out was not an option so had to drive straight through. The next peage was interesting when we had to pay the toll and try and explain what had happened
i do it all the time and my journey is 8 to 10 hours through france depending on car or truck, getting out and walking round is an excuse to stretch the legs , or at least thats what i convinced myself , and it annoys the french drivers behind , thats gotta be worth the walk round alone !
paulwirral said:
i do it all the time and my journey is 8 to 10 hours through france depending on car or truck, getting out and walking round is an excuse to stretch the legs , or at least thats what i convinced myself , and it annoys the french drivers behind , thats gotta be worth the walk round alone !
My vote is to do this, but take a walking stick and dodder around like an old fart to wind them up even more 
Mark. said:
My vote is to do this, but take a walking stick and dodder around like an old fart to wind them up even more
And when you get to the machine pat your pockets (those beige fishing type vests have loads), look confused, wave your arms apologetically to the queue, go back to the driver's side and then crawl over the seat to have a rummage in the glove box.They love it
Bill said:
Mark. said:
My vote is to do this, but take a walking stick and dodder around like an old fart to wind them up even more
And when you get to the machine pat your pockets (those beige fishing type vests have loads), look confused, wave your arms apologetically to the queue, go back to the driver's side and then crawl over the seat to have a rummage in the glove box.They love it
Thanks everyone for the replies so far - really helpful
It sounds like a combination of autoroute toll tag + getting out of the car and walking around is the way to do it.
My main concern with getting out of the car was not having enough time to get back in and drive past the barrier but it sounds like that isn't a concern if you get on with it (although deliberately dawdling around would make for an interesting social experiment).
Handbrake turn + J-turn is a really cool idea, but not in a Honda Insight
It sounds like a combination of autoroute toll tag + getting out of the car and walking around is the way to do it.
My main concern with getting out of the car was not having enough time to get back in and drive past the barrier but it sounds like that isn't a concern if you get on with it (although deliberately dawdling around would make for an interesting social experiment).
Handbrake turn + J-turn is a really cool idea, but not in a Honda Insight
Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff