I recall first time I took my car to France we were in kent on holiday and it was spur of the moment decision. Not having anything for the car (a Rover) we went to a local Rover dealer who loaned us all the stuff at no charge!

Merged with existing topic. Thanks Lyn!

luci

here is the link to him MM . This is just one of his auctions but i did the "buy it now" and paid £22 + £6.95 for the postage i think . RAC also wanted another 5.99 for the postage so that made it £40 from them . Ordered sunday and its just arrived . excellent kit .
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/RAC-European-Motoring-Kit-warning-triangle-bulbs-etc_W0QQitemZ300113418378QQihZ020QQcategoryZ9885QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem.
You can always go to his ebay shop and get one "buy it now" if you dont want to try and save a pound or two by bidding on one of his auctions.

must admit im not looking forward to taking our car . I keep worrying about what will happen if we break down. Im going to take out the top of the range policy with our RAC cover. Rang our insurance company this morning and they said no its fine im covered and i should just take my insurance policy and certificate

We have also brought the French map for hubbys sat nav + another 2 maps incase that goes wrong and a million Guide books .

lyn

Lyn
Don't worry you will be fine- you're well prepared and besides driving in France is a pleasure compared to here. Loads of little roadside places to stop to stretch your legs (with hole in the ground toilets if you are desperate) and their services are lovely.

Have a great time- let us know how you get on!!

Pam

One I posted earlier which might be being missed on this merged thread -

Sat May 05, 2007 7:13 pm
For a definitive and up to date answer as to vehicle equipment requirements in Europe, see THIS document from the AA.

Hence, on our recent holiday in the Somme via the Hull - Zeebrugge ferry, it was compulsory to carry the following -

Belgium
GB sticker
Warning triangle
Reflective jacket
Headlamp adjustment

France
GB sticker
Headlamp adjustment

I also have a first aid kit, fire extinguisher and spare bulb kit, but they are not a legal requirement in either country.

Headlamp adjustment by way of expensive beam deflector kits, or the just as good masking off with insulation tape, is a requirement at all times and not just when driving at night. Remember you may need to use your headlights in daylight conditions of rain and fog.

I believe that some sat navs incorporate radar detectors, in which case better left at home. The French and Belgium police will confiscate and fine heavily if you are caught with one.

THIS is the AA advice, and there is also THIS page on the RAC website where you can look up France or any other country you are thinking of driving in.

Both motoring organisations advise that the only equipment that is compulsory in France are headlight defectors, and a GB sign either on your number plate or a sticker. Anything else you wish to buy is NOT compulsory, although like me you might think it's a good idea all the same.

Peter

thanks pam and peter . I will certainly update you all on my return . are there lots of places to stop on what we would call the motorway. my youngest son has a bladder problem and needs to go to the toilet frequently and I dont fancy pulling up and and getting out the triangle and hi vis jacket just for his quick pee

lyn

At very frequent intervals there are 'aires' or stopping areas with facilities well signed before you decide to turn off.

They may have picnic areas, toilets, petrol, cafes and shops.

Peter

thanks peter . ok so we look out for the "aires" sign

lyn

(20 trips) We go Boulogne - Abbeyville - Rouen - Chartes (good place to have break - great cathedral to look at) - Evreux - Dreux - Orlean - etc. You got to bear in mind Orleans is south-south-WEST of Paris - so although you head a little south-west on the way from Abbeyville to Rouen, you pretty much come out of Rouen in line for Orleans - on good straight roads - a fair amount of dual carriage-way sections - all towns well sign-posted. (As you enter each town follow green signs for 'Toutes Directions' until you pick up the sign you need for your next town.)
If you're a first timer and you're not going to use the peages and periphique you will have a serious headache going via Paris. Even at 3 in the morning you'd pretty much need a sat nav or large scale map to get across Paris - and it would still take you longer than the above route. Drive at night where poss - makes a big difference in France when you're not using the peages because traffic sticks alot around towns - it can halve your journey time.

As this is to be our 1st time driving in France, I'm not sure as to what the exact requirements are for the car.
I know I need, Headlamp deflectors, GB sticker, warning triangle, hi-vis vest, insurance & ownership paperwork.
Do I also need to carry a first aid kit, spare light bulb set & fire extinguisher?
Is there anything I haven't thought of?
Thanks

There's a whole thread on this subject HERE

On this I posted -

For a definitive and up to date answer as to vehicle equipment requirements in Europe, see THIS document from the AA.

Hence, on our recent holiday in the Somme via the Hull - Zeebrugge ferry, it was compulsory to carry the following -

Belgium
GB sticker
Warning triangle
Reflective jacket
Headlamp adjustment

France
GB sticker
Headlamp adjustment

I also have a first aid kit, fire extinguisher and spare bulb kit, but they are not a legal requirement in either country.

Headlamp adjustment by way of expensive beam deflector kits, or the just as good masking off with insulation tape, is a requirement at all times and not just when driving at night. Remember you may need to use your headlights in daylight conditions of rain and fog.

I believe that some sat navs incorporate radar detectors, in which case better left at home. The French and Belgium police will confiscate and fine heavily if you are caught with one.

For France perhaps not as much as you thought?

Insurance & ownership paperwork of course.

Peter

Thanks Peter. Topic now merged.

luci

Thankyou for that people.
It's appreciated.

Just a note after reading this again

Sat Nav is not illegal in France even if it shows the position of speed cameras and radars

a Radar DETCTOR is

The French Police even publish in local papers where the radars are going to be for the week ahead

You now CANNOT use sticky tape to obscure part of the head lamp lens the deflector needs to be a clear Fresnel (sp) lens type - regs changed this year

Required
Spare bulb kit for car AND trailer
head lamp Deflectors
Euro plates OR GB sticker
Fully Comprehensive Insurance

It is ADVISABLE to carry/have
fire extingushier
reflective vests -one each
Warning Triangle (compulsory in France I think and 2 needed if you tow a trailer or caravan)
First aid kit
Breakdown insurance

and don't forget you drive on the right and go around islands on the right side
and their speed limits are simpler than ours

so unless otherwise signed
50kmph in towns from sign going in to sign going out
90kmph on ordinary roads
110kmph on dual carriageways (RN and NON peage Autoroutes)
130kmph on Peage Autoroutes which goes down to 110 if it's raining

BTW watch out for the 10kmph in some areas of towns they usually have a radar in them

The Foreign Office advice in relation driving in France is to consult the AA or RAC. This I have done and the AA advice can be obtained via THIS document from the AA dated April 2007.

Of particular interest there is this in note 11 -

Headlamp adjustment for older vehicles can be done by using simple adhesive masks on the headlamp glass.

According to the AA the only compulsory equipment for France are headlight deflectors, and a GB sticker if this is not incorporated into the car's rear number plate.

It's not possible to put a link with regard to the advice of the RAC, but this is what they say -

EDIT: Sorry Peter .. the information quoted was copyright protected and had to be removed. It can be found by clicking HERE and selecting 'France' from the drop down menu ... David HT Mod

The advice is the same as that of the AA, although there is no comment regarding the use of tape on headlamps as opposed to expensive converter kits.

As for satellite navigation with radar detection, well, it could result in an interesting conversation with the French traffic police if I am correct.

In relation to the requirements for France, I would prefer to take the advice of the AA and RAC, than a company such as a ferry operator wanting to sell me expensive car accessories THEY deem to be compulsory!

Peter

Peter wrote

As for satellite navigation with radar detection, well, it could result in an interesting conversation with the French traffic police if I am correct.

Peter
I am well versed on SatNav been using differnet ones for years and AFAIK there is no Satnav on the market that also incorporates a radar detector
they are separate units such as the Road Angels

You can pre load your SatNav with Points Of Interest (POI's) that include the positions of the published Radars and this IS allowed and according to the Gendarme who I was discussing this with over a few beers (he was off duty) they actually encourage people to do this

Thanks for the clarification on SatNav, for navigation I use a Patka!

Peter

Not required anywhere as far as I know but something I always carry is a torch. Even better I bought one of those wind up ones from Woolworths (About £7 each). 30 seconds of winding gives about 5 mins of very bright light. It also has 2 settings using either 1 or 3 bulbs. Definitly a good thing if you have to change wheels at night or end up walking along an unlit road.

Hi
Wondering which is the best breakdown cover to have for travelling in France.
Just got quoted £65.20 from RAC though the policy looks good. Including No excess, 45 mins to get to you, gives you money back if charged for towing off motorway, accomodation, car, brings it back home for you if cannot be fixed. I am already a policy holder in the RAC thats the only reason i asked them to quote.

Is there anyone here that could recommend breakdown as good but cheaper. Thanks so much this is our first trip so still learning.. and still worried..
Thank you