I'm going to Dunkerque in France 12th March on business, and planning on taking the tunnel and driving myself about.
I know there are requirements, Triangle, hi vis jacket, bulbs ++++, and have checked websites but as usual got varying results, what is the minimum I
need? I know there are folk on here from France and who have experience driving in France, so practical advise welcome.
Cheers.
Pete.
quote:
Originally posted by r1_pete
I'm going to Dunkerque in France 12th March on business, and planning on taking the tunnel and driving myself about.
I know there are requirements, Triangle, hi vis jacket, bulbs ++++, and have checked websites but as usual got varying results, what is the minimum I need? I know there are folk on here from France and who have experience driving in France, so practical advise welcome.
Cheers.
Pete.
...and breathalyser kit now!
I was led to believe that the breathalyser was not a requierment at the moment, but they were planning to bring it in. July 1st if i recollect
correctly.
Cheers
Craig
Over here:
Full documentation
High viz jacket (At least one has to be reachable from inside car, rest can be in boot, or anywhere)
Triangle, spare bulbs and fuses
Headlight correctors are not a legal requirement for short term visit (and I ran for 18 months without). The law says you must not dazzle oncoming
cars.
Fire extinguisher
Tip.
If you get pulled, don't argue.
If you want to do your headlights, don't waste money on the 'off the shelf', expensive stickers, just cover the main beam part of the
lens with tape.
Breathalyzer comes in later in year.
If in Dunkerque and you have a free afternoon go here:
http://www.lacoupole-france.com/
It's only 45minutes away, near St Omer.
Enjoy:
OK Thanks all,
I'm ok on bulbs and fuses, borrowed a hi vis off the fire wardens, and hoping my Daughters Citroen has a triangle I can nab, and I'll put
the workshop fire extinguisher in the back.
First aid kit..........
quote:
Originally posted by designer
If you want to do your headlights, don't waste money on the 'off the shelf', expensive stickers, just cover the main beam part of the lens with tape.
..........oh, and 90 Euros for every time you get stopped for speeding!
quote:
..........oh, and 90 Euros for every time you get stopped for speeding!
and the faster you are speeding
Mate got done on his way to LeMans doing ~130mph on his motorbike.
Marched to the cash machine... 750Euro fine!!! Hand cash over to copper- thank you very much! Now, how much of that disappears??? 
Policeman's
benefit scheme?
They also took his licence and it took 4/5 months to get it back.
But France also had/has a ridiculously high death rate (according to radio 4 today) so they're trying to clamp down I guess.
James
I've been told you should really have a hi-viz vest for everyone in the car. Don't make the mistake of getting out of the car without
putting it on first (if pulled)
Didn't know about the breathalyser, and am planning on going in August.
[Edited on 2/3/12 by iank]
crikey,i drove to lemans in 97 and 98 and took nothing at all. young and dumb i guess.
quote:
Originally posted by ruskino80
crikey,i drove to lemans in 97 and 98 and took nothing at all. young and dumb i guess.
I got stopped for speeding in '92 and they didn't have a clue. Just got told off. I guess things have changes
I'm sure I remember seeing a report a while back saying they were going to ban Satnavs with scamera warnings (not sure if that went through, as
what did they plan to do about cars with built-in satnavs). It's been illegal to use radar camera detectors there for some years.
When the news about breathalysers came out, the question was asked on Pistonheads whether any French motorists bother with this stuff, or whether
it's just revenue generation from UK drivers.....
Personally I wouldn't bother with the breathalyser, as I don't drink...
In fact I think we've only ever bothered with the headlamp correctors, and didn't last time cos we just didn't drive at night
I think that you still also need a GB sticker. Unless your numberplate has the appropriate markings. I doubt you will get stopped though.
Regarding headlamp correction. I carry black insulating tape and make it up on the ferry sticking on a wedge like the other cars have. I've
been doing this for the last 25 years and it seems to work. No problems seeing the road and don't get flashed are my success criteria.
quote:
Originally posted by Ninehigh
Personally I wouldn't bother with the breathalyser, as I don't drink...
In fact I think we've only ever bothered with the headlamp correctors, and didn't last time cos we just didn't drive at night
I can understand it, just a bit odd.. I mean are they asking you to check for yourself or having you carry the breathalyser for them?