Hi im driving down to Le Mans next week and just wondering what i need to take other than headlight coverters, bulbs, high vis vest, GB badge and a passport.
I have an 04 plate leon which i dont see breaking but without euro breakdown cover is there anyone you can call on the spot to sort it out say if you havent taken out cover?
cheers
Adam

You could try 2ogether insurance; they do a very cheap EU/UK brakedown cover for 65quid for a year..

Dan

Make sure you have the V5, certificate of insurance, MOT, and Driving license. You must have those with you at all times in most of Europe, but you can usually get away with a photocopy if you have the originals nearby.

Best bet for a breakdown would be a local garage, (if you have satnav) the automobile club de France is the equivalent of the french AA i believe, you might be able to phone them for a tow if needed.

Good luck!

Thats great il take originals like the driving licence but copies for those important documents.
Il look up the automobile club de France as im hoping all should be ok and not need to fork out for insurance as its a cheap trip camping track side and my leon is well looked after and freshly mot/serviced but want to be able to sort it if anything happens.
cheers

You know that the race finished 10 days ago mate?



things to be aware of: speed camera detectors are illegal there and they do enforce it, confiscation and fine up to 5000 euros

either keep change or a card handy for the tolls

fixed speed cameras nearly always have a warning sign ahead of them, and they don't tend to use fake signs - their cameras are lower down and face towards you. sometimes the signs are a fair way ahead of the cameras, ease off when you see the sign!

the gendarmes like setting up temporary camera sites. They tend to use scruffy old 306s with the scamera gear hanging off the back of it. Generally people travelling the other way will flash to warn of them - again, this can sometimes be a K or 2 away from the camera (the French are nice like that), don't ignore the warnings!

*Please note, this post in no way condones breaking the speed limits of another country*

Have a good trip!

Cheers


vince

You also need a red reflective triangle over here.

And watch out for the mad priority from the right stuff. I've been living over here for 12 years now and I still get caught out from time to time.

Vinny i know the big boys race ended the other week but this one i actually get to race in . Although only karts its still great fun and my small team are entering in the 24hr race again which we have done for the last few years.

quote:

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Originally posted by bassett
Vinny i know the big boys race ended the other week but this one i actually get to race in . Although only karts its still great fun and my small team are entering in the 24hr race again which we have done for the last few years.

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There is no need to splash out on headlight deflectors.

They are only a requirement if you stay here a long time. It is not a legal requirement, it's a ruse by the motoring people to get you to buy them; thats why they are expensive.

I live here, have never used them on my english cars, and get on well with the gendarmes/police.

The tip is to have a warning triangle, a set of bulbs, all your documents with you, AND if you get stopped, never argue as the fine will increase.

Possibly need a first-aid kit as well ?

cheers guys other than documents that i need to copy i think ive got a triangle and first aid kit in the boot. il get a big gb badge as there dirt cheap in tesco but are you sure about headlight converters? price wise they do seem a con but would rather be safe than sorry
Should be a wicked weekend, were heading down thursday and dont get back to midnight monday so should be a laugh with lots of bbqs even in our pit garage and french bottled goodnes - kronenburg not evian oh yeah and a bit of racing inbetween

[Edited on 26/6/09 by bassett]

Don't forget that the yellow vests and the warning triangle must be accessible from inside the driving compartment. When I went to France last year I had the vests in the door pockets and the triangle under the front seat.

If you're in the mood to break the speed limit (tut tut) then don't do it within 50 - 75 km of the channel crossing - it's the favourite hunting ground for the gendarmes.

I think you need a vest for every person in the vehicle and you need to wear it while driveing (well they did on tg)