Driving in France, new rules

gingin_2

We are popping over on saturday and have a new car since we last went, so apologies if it's a daft question.... Do some cars have the headlamp deflectors pre-fitted? We have a Golf now and the headlamps look like they are already on there, would that be the case?

knightstyle

Hi, I am pretty sure the deflectors are NOT built in. Park in front of a wall or garage door in the evening and shine the dipped headlights on to it. You will see a horizontal line that goes up on the left, if you have deflectors that bit should go leaving just a horizontal line or maybe dropping a bit on the left. Just cut a bit of gaffer tape and see where to stick it to get rid of the offending light beam.

shown73

Some models do have a lever to switch from left to right. Should say in the manual. Some Fords have it, not mine though, grrrr.

Katiehound

Have just read in a magazine that it will be compulsory to carry a breathalyser that has to be certified by the French authorities, showing an "NF" number from 1 July .
As the mag says , it probably makes sense to buy two so that you always have a spare!
says they are £2.99 from amazon.co.uk

Dunroamin

Katiehound wrote: »

Have just read in a magazine that it will be compulsory to carry a breathalyser that has to be certified by the French authorities, showing an "NF" number from 1 July .
As the mag says , it probably makes sense to buy two so that you always have a spare!
says they are £2.99 from amazon.co.uk

You need to have 2 because, if you're stopped and breathalysed, you won't then have one and will be illegal.

mgdavid

cheapest on fleabay seems to be 3 for 7 quid - anyone found any cheaper yet?

Bob_the_Saver

knightstyle wrote: »

Gloomendoom yes, all the old cameras have or had a large warning notice. Plus they are marked on some road atlases, AA 1911 for example.

I never realised that the AA were so ahead of the game.

angelil

€2 for 2 at French supermarkets - so even £2.99 for 2 from Amazon seems fine if you can get free delivery (they need to be exported after all presumably).

a_gwtw

I think it's way over the top Those who do drink driving will keep doing so having a breathalyser or not! French police just want to pass the cost on to us, that's all!

Does the UK have any reciprocal rules against French/continental drivers over here? I find it annoying that whenever we drive over there I have to pay so much for the toll roads whereas they can drive mostly for free on motorways here (I can only think of Dartford tunnel and M6 that they have to pay ).

We are quite lucky not being stopped by French police having driven over there many times without their required stuff, like extra bulbs, reflective jackets and warning signs etc... Wonder how much would they have fined us had they found out? :?

Bogtrotter

You won't get fined for not possessing breathalyzers until after 1 November 2012.

So, if you're travelling to France before then save your cash and buy them in the french supermarket when you get there. As well as getting the cheapest price you'll be sure of getting those that comply with the correct French standards.