Driving in France......

[Chr1sch]

Hi all,

So there are 3 cars in my Stag party, each with 3+ occupants, what do we actually need to have in the car?

1) Bulb kit
2) Warning Triangle
3) Vests - How many? (one for each passenger??)
4) Insurance doc proof & V5

Anything else?

Cheers

Chris

[timbo48]

Headlight dipped beam adjusters if you intend to drive at night, GB badge, unless it's part of the number plate, first aid kit, possibly. You can bet that if you've got all of that you won't need it!

[Chr1sch]

well quite, one thing i am worried about is how many vests i need

[nutsytvr]

Vests - one per person, and they must be in the car, not in the boot. Headlight converters - must be fitted,even for daylight running ( you must use dipped lights during rain in France). Plod extracts too many fines from Brits who don't have the converters and vests. Big scam.

[fatboy18]

Right then, from the AA Website this evening

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.

And don't forget this!
Take care in built-up areas where the old rule giving priority to traffic coming from the right (Priorité a droite) still applies unless a yellow diamond indicates you have priority.

This means in villages and towns cars drive straight out from a small right hand turning onto what you thought was the main road!!!!!

Edited by fatboy18 on Wednesday 19th May 21:05

[zippyprorider]

bulb kit!!! I got pulled in france and got asked to produce one (in the day), the bulb kit given was from my mates car behind (they didnt see the slight of hand thank god) but I was told you do need one also one vest per passenger. Remember to put them on before you get out not as you get out it is a great way of getting us as how many people step out and then put them on!

Andy

Edited by zippyprorider on Wednesday 19th May 22:58

[5potTurbo]

DRIVING LICENCE!

Photocard & paper counterpart
Not everyone in the UK carries their licences with your "7 day wonders" - on the Continent you HAVE to have this with you

I do still find it odd that spare bulb kits are compulsory in France, when most French cars that cross the border in Luxembourg every day have at least one light not working!

[MikeDH]

I like the fact that a bulb kit is required, but no mention of tools to actually change the things...

[nellyleelephant]

timbo48 said:

Headlight dipped beam adjusters if you intend to drive at night, GB badge, unless it's part of the number plate, first aid kit, possibly. You can bet that if you've got all of that you won't need it!

Pretty sure that headlight deflectors are required even if you don't intend driving at night. We certainly always fit them.

We figure that £7 is better than the possible fine that you would probably end up with.

[cmsapms]

zippyprorider said:

bulb kit!!! I got pulled in france and got asked to produce one (in the day), the bulb kit given was from my mates car behind (they didnt see the slight of hand thank god) but I was told you do need one also one vest per passenger. Remember to put them on before you get out not as you get out it is a great way of getting us as how many people step out and then put them on!

Andy

So, every time anyone gets out of a car in france, they are liable to a fine if they aren't wearing fluorescent clothing? Tres chic; the fashion industry must be up in arms

Just when do you need to wear a vest? I wonder what is the minimum amount of fluorescent material that would be acceptable - I have very little space in the car (Westfield) and I'd rather not clutter it up with pointless stuff.

Also, the AA website quoted earlier seems to imply that vests are only required for the driver. It doesn't mention passengers. Anyone know the whole truth?

[MikeDH]

It does seem to vary depending what you read, but the general concensus is that everybody in the car needs one.

[5potTurbo]

OK, just checked here: http://www.securite-routiere.gouv.fr/article.php3?...

It only states that the driver must wear the vest before leaving the vehicle when it's broken down or in an accident.

So, other passengers, it's not clearly stated even by the French Govt - well done to them for providing clarity on their own laws ...just double checked with a French colleague and even he's surprised!

If you want to be ultra safe, for a few extra £ or €, get a vest for everyone in the car!

[stevetav]

......and a boot full of cheap french lager.....

[captainchaos him]

Bulb Kit? yes ok side lights etc - what about Xenon units??

[Nick M]

captainchaos him said:

Bulb Kit? yes ok side lights etc - what about Xenon units??

Just carry a normal bulb kit, even if it's totally irrelevant for the headlights. I take the view that it's better to have something than nothing, just in case.

[gt6]

the French only need to see a kit they will not ask you to actually change a bulb.

[timbo48]

"Headlight dipped beam adjusters if you intend to drive at night"
I should try reading my e mails before sending!! Also, warning triangle needs to be easy to get at, not in bottom of boot necessitating a complete boot strip down to get at it. And, isn't there an accident report form (details are somewhere on this forum) that you're supposed to have, at the very least in duplicate?

[boolay]

I carry a bulb kit for a Honda Civic... I'n my Saab with xenon headlamps!

[johnvthe2nd]

timbo48 said:

"Headlight dipped beam adjusters if you intend to drive at night"
I should try reading my e mails before sending!! Also, warning triangle needs to be easy to get at, not in bottom of boot necessitating a complete boot strip down to get at it. And, isn't there an accident report form (details are somewhere on this forum) that you're supposed to have, at the very least in duplicate?

here it is:

http://www.naccess.fr/objects/custom/public/21/FIL...

definitely worth carrying!

[Nick M]

johnvthe2nd said:

timbo48 said:

"Headlight dipped beam adjusters if you intend to drive at night"
I should try reading my e mails before sending!! Also, warning triangle needs to be easy to get at, not in bottom of boot necessitating a complete boot strip down to get at it. And, isn't there an accident report form (details are somewhere on this forum) that you're supposed to have, at the very least in duplicate?

here it is:

http://www.naccess.fr/objects/custom/public/21/FIL...

definitely worth carrying!

I think there's one of those as part of my regular insurance docs from Admiral, but have printed a couple of copies of that too.