Eurotunnel

patpending

I forget the number of times customs have searched my car going into the tunnel.

But no motorist should ever even consider driving in continental Europe without driving licence and V5 - let alone headlamp deflectors etc. It's just asking for trouble.

Here's the AA guidance:

http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/overseas/general_advice.html#GB

It is now the law AFAIK that you should use dipped headlights at all times in France. Even if the French don't themselves, or have an "F" plate, don't make yourself an easy target by not displaying a "GB" plate or driving without lights...! save your euros for nice meals!

PS for Eurotunnel full-price tickets, save £££s (e.g. £160) by buying from an agent such as ferrycheap...see http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=172908

redux

patpending wrote: »

PS for Eurotunnel full-price tickets, save £££s (e.g. £160) by buying from an agent such as ferrycheap...

There aren't any agents selling tickets cheaper than Eurotunnel themselves

jammin_2

patpending wrote: »

I forget the number of times customs have searched my car going into the tunnel.

Interesting. I wonder why your car keeps getting searched? I've been on the ferry to France a view times and not a dicky bird. Folk on here say they've never been stopped on the Eurotunnel either.

patpending

redux wrote: »

There aren't any agents selling tickets cheaper than Eurotunnel themselves

In my experience, yes there are. see the link to the other thread. http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=172908 I was gobsmacked to find I could save £160 just by clicking on another place for the same thing!

patpending

jammin wrote: »

Interesting. I wonder why your car keeps getting searched? I've been on the ferry to France a view times and not a dicky bird. Folk on here say they've never been stopped on the Eurotunnel either.

I think as a relatively young man (i.e. not a pensioner) in a nice car...the controls were particularly tight the day after Dutch politician Pym Fortuyn (sp?) was killed. The searchers get interested if they find any currency but a boot full of bathroom mats gets swiftly closed again...

I suppose the whole thing is a bit like "Am I feeling lucky?" Chances are you won't get searched or nicked but the consequences of not being squeaky clean if you are pulled are unpleasant, and certainly costly...advice used to be to keep several hundred euros in cash for any fines...

Keith

patpending wrote: »

I forget the number of times customs have searched my car going into the tunnel

First time we used it, we were 5 under 30 year olds in a Ford Galaxy that had been registered earlier that week.

We were stopped, asked to empty the car, everything was scanned and we were treated like criminals! We missed our train as the security people insisted on checking every single bit even underneath.

No idea why we were selected. It was a pain in the !!!! as we had to empty out all our camping equipment, cases, everything!

patpending

Keith wrote: »

First time we used it, we were 5 under 30 year olds in a Ford Galaxy that had been registered earlier that week.

We were stopped, asked to empty the car, everything was scanned and we were treated like criminals! We missed our train as the security people insisted on checking every single bit even underneath.

No idea why we were selected. It was a pain in the !!!! as we had to empty out all our camping equipment, cases, everything!

I once went through by myself in a new German-reg MG saloon that I had bought a week earlier - that attracts attention...

jammin_2

Keith wrote: »

First time we used it, we were 5 under 30 year olds in a Ford Galaxy that had been registered earlier that week.

We were stopped, asked to empty the car, everything was scanned and we were treated like criminals! We missed our train as the security people insisted on checking every single bit even underneath.

No idea why we were selected. It was a pain in the !!!! as we had to empty out all our camping equipment, cases, everything!

Were you asked for your car's V5 though?

gingerdad

Though i got stopped in rural France last summer, just a routine stop and they wanted everything. which i had. so be careful if you don't have the correct paperwork.

GD

patpending

not sure what the rule is in France, but in Germany, you are required to have the car's documents when in the car but also to have your personal ID (for a Brit: passport) at all times. Saves hassle if you have it...