Driving to France
Discussion
I'll be taking the T350 to France at xmas, and am aware that the rules on emergency kit has recently been changed. Can anyone tell me what I MUST carry (not much spare room in the tiv once my wife's bags are there!) and if there's a standard kit available (high vis vest etc). Also, last time I went I didn't bother with the headlight deflectors, but I gather they're now part of the strict rules. Where can I get some suitable deflectors and how should they fit on my clear plastic lamp covers as there's no guide markings like you get on normal cars?
From October (I think) you need to carry a high-vis jacket in the passenger compartment (not the boot) and a warning triangle (which used to be just recommended). I'm sure AA shops or similar will sell kits. Don't forget all the other required stuff for France though (like documents etc.) as supposedly they're tightening up on spot fines.
Someone else can hopefully help with the beam benders issue. Since getting rid of the TVR, I've got a little lever to switch them over...
Someone else can hopefully help with the beam benders issue. Since getting rid of the TVR, I've got a little lever to switch them over...
Edited by timmybob on Monday 15th December 14:44
Hi Toby,
the lights can be adjusted for driving on the right - but I'm not quite sure if you really want to do that: When accessing the light-units through the wheel archs you can loosen three screws on the back of the unit and turn the lamp's position about 20° from RHD to LHD (don't forget to tighten the screws again
).
I haven't seen a solution for stickers yet. I'll be taking my T350 for a service to England next year - in Summer - hopefully no need for lights, because I'd have to drive with the "wrong" lights half of the time anyway. Doing the adjustment at the docks isn't very attractive either.
Hope that helps
Konrad
the lights can be adjusted for driving on the right - but I'm not quite sure if you really want to do that: When accessing the light-units through the wheel archs you can loosen three screws on the back of the unit and turn the lamp's position about 20° from RHD to LHD (don't forget to tighten the screws again
).I haven't seen a solution for stickers yet. I'll be taking my T350 for a service to England next year - in Summer - hopefully no need for lights, because I'd have to drive with the "wrong" lights half of the time anyway. Doing the adjustment at the docks isn't very attractive either.
Hope that helps
Konrad
Assuming you've got standard headlamps, you're not going to dazzle anyone regardless! Perhaps fashion something (ineffective) out of paper masking tape? I wouldn't want to be messing around with the lamps themselves, nor sticking anything too gooey to the fairings in case it then became a trap for tar and subsequently scratches when it came off. But I agree with you in that you WILL be stopped and want to demonstrate having made an effort.
Don't forget V5 and insurance certificate!
Don't forget V5 and insurance certificate!
We drove through France last Xmas to Switzerland (couple of days getting there - and a few coming back too) in our T350 (at the time!). Granted it was a year ago so I don't know how much more tough they've got but we didn't do anything to the headlights. I spoke to my nearest dealer at the time and they said they wouldn't know where to start with trying to put deflectors on the lenses.
To be honest, at this time of year with all the crap on the roads, it renders the lights next to useless within about 30 mins of driving. Had to keep cleaning mine every time we stopped for fuel. Luckily we were in a convoy with some friends of ours in a Passat. I just drove behind them the last 100 miles into Zurich at night!
Anyway, in all the driving we did, I didn't once get flashed for blinding anyone. And I certainly never got stopped. I just don't think a TVR's lights are bright or angled high enough.
But maybe they've got much tougher in a year??
To be honest, at this time of year with all the crap on the roads, it renders the lights next to useless within about 30 mins of driving. Had to keep cleaning mine every time we stopped for fuel. Luckily we were in a convoy with some friends of ours in a Passat. I just drove behind them the last 100 miles into Zurich at night!
Anyway, in all the driving we did, I didn't once get flashed for blinding anyone. And I certainly never got stopped. I just don't think a TVR's lights are bright or angled high enough.
But maybe they've got much tougher in a year??
Both the Sag and the Tusc II Convert were getting flashed through France, Belgium and more so in Holland. Bought some small flexible triangular beam adjusters on the P&O ferry. The onshore shops had very stiff crappy ones which did not work, forgotten the name but the former do the job well. P&O issue a reminder at the departure point in Dover of the new legislation.I believe this came into force mid this year: the AA link above/listing differs from the P&O issued form: it is now mandatory in France and other countries in Europe to carry equipment such that you can assist in the event of an accident, i.e. fire extinguisher and first aid kit. http://www.poferries.com/tourist/content/pages/tem...
Link quoted by P&O which looks to be informative and accurate is:
http://www.motoring-into-europe.co.uk/
Link quoted by P&O which looks to be informative and accurate is:
http://www.motoring-into-europe.co.uk/
Edited by rpa.janwell on Wednesday 17th December 15:59
Gassing Station | Tamora, T350 & Sagaris | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff