Driving in France

loftus

Will be driving in France for first time in summer. Am confused about what I need to have in the car to comply with the law there.
It seems to be a spare set of bulbs and a red triangle, plus deflectors for the headlights.
Is this right and is there anything else?

Ta

OK_Sauce

All you need to know is here from the aa website -

http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/touring_tips/AA_France_Monaco.pdf

Don't forget you may need to spend money on tolls. 80 euros each way if going to the south of France!

A good site to work out tolls -

www.mappy.com


HTH

reduceditem

The RAC's online routeplanner has an option to calculate routes avoiding toll roads. The routes will be longer, but usually more interesting.

You cannot use, or even have in your car, speed trap radar detection equipment. If you've got it then remove it before travel.

If your car is a diesel enter France with an empty tank and leave with a full tank, diesel prices are much cheaper there.

Its possible to adjust the headlight beam of your car manually or if you have a friend who is a mechanic they'll do it for you in 5 minutes.

If you want to buy wine, beer or food to bring home, do it in a large supermarket, don't waste your time in the 'booze discount warehouses' near ports.

Bon voyage.

simonSE15

On the speeding thing I dont think they can enforce penalties as it would be too difficult to collect any fines.

Buying petrol can be a PITA as the you often have to pay first unless you have a specific payment card - make sure you go to the correct pump.

And French drivers often dont indicate or give way properly on roundabouts!!!!

loobs40

Driving on French motorways is much less stressful than driving on british ones as there isn't the sheer weight of traffic we get here. Try this website for useful info also http://www.day-tripper.net/

reduceditem

simon...they'll impound the equipment. French police can issue on the spot fines too, unlike in many other countries. This does not mean you have to pay on the spot (allthough they will try to make you) but they do have the right to remove your licence from you, temporarily. It does happen. French police, particuarly in the north of france, in my experience, can be quite tough on UK drivers. My advice is simply to remove the equipment and leave it at home, I've even heard of police fining people for finding this equipment in the boots of their cars!

pudding06

Yes definately no speeding!!! and no speeding detection stuff either.

I have met people who have been cought and theyve been driven to a cash point to get the money out!!! The police are very strict on speeding for us - though I've never had any problems and when I needed help everyone including the police have been brilliant.

I carry warning triangles (2) luminous vests for all people in the car, spare bulbs and you need (allegedly - cos I cant I have to take it to the gargage) to be able to change them on the spot! You must carry your documents in the car at all times, registration/v5 document and insurance, drivers licences etc etc because they dont do producers - you'll get fined and car impounded if you cant produce on the spot.

If you've never driven abroad before dont be put off - driving in france is an absolute doddle and is a wonderful experience - you'll wonder why our roads arent maintained as well as theirs!!!
and driving in the right I find so much easier anyway.

have a wonderful trip and dont worry about it just make sure you have the right stuff with you and then relax and enjoy.

pudds

fudgem

I have heard, from a lady who lives in France, that if you have a flat tyre you are not allowed to change it on the motorway, but must call on the breakdown services. She says there are huge fines for this too.

They're all after our money

livinginhope

Speaking as a French driver here,I have to say that speeding fines are expected to be paid on the spot,or your car is impounded,they expect a CC payment or cash.
The reason they 'don't give way properly on roundabouts' as simon says,is because English people do not understand the laws of the road in France.A french roundabout is treated differently to an English one,in France you give way to people coming onto the roundabout,not the people already on it as in England,most roundabouts in France have now been changed,but beware,if there are no give way signs,you must stop on the roundablout to give way to people coming on.Another problem English people have is understanding road signs,there is a sign in France with a yellow diamond with a white surround,this means 'you are on a priority road' if it has a black line through it you are on a non priority road,this means that you must give way to all traffic on your right,unless they have a give way sign,if on priority,you have the priority.
There was a new law came into force last year that states you must carry enough high visiblity jackets for the number of occupants in your car,you face an on the spot fine if you do not carry enough.BTW it is not law to carry spare bulbs,just recommended.
Driving in France is far better than driving in England,motorways are much less busy and better surfaced,remember the speed limit drops to 110 kph on motorways around cities and in the rain,it is 130kph at other times.
If anyone needs anymore info PM me.

Zoetoes

I passed my test end of May and drove to France end of September (just passing test was a major achievement for me never mind driving to France), and even I was fine!

Actually we broke down on the motorway about 5 - 10 miles from Disney and a motorist stopped to help, then police stopped to help and got us a breakdown truck, I'd rather break down there than here!

The motorways are less busy than here and I didn't panic at all, it was fine.