Driving in France - min requirements?

[entwisi]

OK, so I've sorted my insurance cover but googling around it appears I need a full set of bulbs( what happens if I'm say 1 short as I've just replaced the indicator last night mr gendarme sir) but a warning triangle and carry a high vis vest in the car ( not in the boot) in case I break down, plus a first aid kit and torch I've also read.

now, seriously, what do I "Need to carry", am I really likely to get nicked for not having everything on that list e.g what if I don't have a warning triangle( do all EU cars really carry these? ) are the French plod likely to be sat pulling all UK reg cars to check this list off?

[LukeSi]

Just get something faster than a Megane RS with the cup package and you are good to go. http://blogs.timeslive.co.za/wheeldeal/2011/02/21/...

[alcovrugbyfan]

you need:

headlight deflectors
GB Badge, unless you have euro on the number plates
warning triangle
full set bulbs
high viz jacket
first aid kit

[LukeSi]

Here is the perfect GB sticker for you. http://shop.pistonheads.com/?section=shop&prod...

[635djimmy]

Going to be doing this later in the year my self.

The AA do an essentials pack with everything you should need.

It may well be cheaper to get the items individually though.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/AA-Car-Essentials-N-Travel...

One from the RAC

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/7...

Edited by 635djimmy on Tuesday 22 February 21:26

[PHmember]

IIRC you need 1 hi-vis jacket for each passenger - they also HAVE to be in the 'cabin' with you, not in the boot.

(Although that may be some other European country, so don't quote me.)

[marksx]

A hi-viz for each occupant and they must be in the passenger compartment, not the boot.

EDIT - yep, what he said /\

[siwil1]

surely both the cars in your garage have warning triangles in the boot.

Last time I drove in France (august) we saw some fellow brits pulled over by the gendarmes. They pulled into the petrol station I was at a little while after and advised they were pulled for not having hi viz on show.

I just chuck mine on the parcel shelf. Bulbs these days are mainly dealer fit so didnt bother with, GB sticker as said a must and light deflectors.

[Skodaku]

alcovrugbyfan said:

you need:

headlight deflectors
GB Badge, unless you have euro on the number plates
warning triangle
full set bulbs
high viz jacket
first aid kit

I believe the requirement is for a hi-viz jacket for each occupant of the car. You should also take your registration document, (think Xerox copy is accepted, but do check), and a formal letter of entitlement to drive the vehicle if it's leased or a company car, (not sure of official name). Funnily enough, HMRC on the way back in are more fussy about this than French plod.

[Bill]

And they do pull UK cars near the ferry ports to check for high viz jackets, which is why a lot of people keep them visible on the parcel shelf/back of the seat. They're after easy targets, basically.

[entwisi]

OK,, so the car I'll be driving is an Accord 7th Gen with projector lights with plastic cover over the lights. how the chuff do I fit "deflectors" as there doesn't appear to be any markings about where to put them on the outer cover as per teh old fashioned style headlights.

[loafer123]

PHmember said:

IIRC you need 1 hi-vis jacket for each passenger - they also HAVE to be in the 'cabin' with you, not in the boot.

(Although that may be some other European country, so don't quote me.)

There was a long thread about this last summer on this subject.

As I recall, the answer was only one jacket is compulsory, and needs to be carried within the cabin of the car.

There is, however, a recommendation to carry two.

Personally, I carry one for each passenger, and I have used them all when I rescued some people after a crash on the motorway and wanted to keep my kids safe.

[alcovrugbyfan]

The instructions show you where to fit them, about as clear as mud but as long as they are fitted don't worry too much about it!

I had the hi viz vests on the back of the driver seat so you could see them from outside.

The french are aholes at the best of times, the police will pull any british plates just to make a few easy euros!

[R12HCO]

i have never took anything with me

[littlebasher]

R12HCO said:

i have never took anything with me

Ditto, in fact i lost my rear numberplate near Royan so didn't have one of those either.

Drove 1000 odd miles while there, the only Gendarmes i saw were parked up at the toll areas or taking a piss by the side of the road.

[maniac0796]

entwisi said:

OK,, so the car I'll be driving is an Accord 7th Gen with projector lights with plastic cover over the lights. how the chuff do I fit "deflectors" as there doesn't appear to be any markings about where to put them on the outer cover as per teh old fashioned style headlights.

The centre of the bulb is where the X would be on headlamps where the glass is the lense.

[rfisher]

Et moi aussie - je ne le pas pret non of that like.

[ambuletz]

Hi viz isn't need for all passengers, its just highly recommended.Just make sure you have at least 1 per car.
Also, bring all your documents (v5,MOT,insurance,license), as you could get points+fine for each one you don't have, if they ask for it. Channel Tunnel train thingy bob doesn't take cars that have LPG.

[Antony Moxey]

Halfords have everything you need for which particular country listed in store, and will sell you everything either individually or as a package I believe.

[infradig]

Not reccomending it,but got pulled last year in Paris and just showed the flic my ferry tickets and breakdown insurance paperwork. He didn't want to admit he couldn't understand English and I 'preteneded' to be a loud stupid Rosbif with a lot of grinning and Alo Alo French. He gave up before discovering my lack of retard vest. Didn't stop SWMBO giving me st for leaving doc.s at home though.