Driving in France

[Becgaz]

I've just been reading the driving in France sticky and it says you need headlight/ beam converters, is this the case still? If so what on earth are they?!
I know we need a warning triangle, hi vis vest, breathalyser and replacement bulbs too.
Will we also need a copy of our insurance certificate?
Thanks for any help! X

 

[IsobelJackmummy]

Yes, you will need insurance certificate and the v5 for your car.

The headlight converters are stickers that go on your headlights to alter the beam, so you don't dazzle oncoming traffic as you are on the 'wrong' side of the road. I got them in halfords, but you an get them anywhere like that. I think they were about five pounds?

 

[Jules1212]

I've just been reading the driving in France sticky and it says you need headlight/ beam converters, is this the case still? If so what on earth are they?!
I know we need a warning triangle, hi vis vest, breathalyser and replacement bulbs too.
Will we also need a copy of our insurance certificate?
Thanks for any help! X

Some cars (like mine) have a switch where you can convert the beam, but otherwise just pop into Halfords as suggested.

You will also need to carry BOTH parts of your driving licence with you as well as the V5 and insurance. It is worth noting that it is not enough to carry a hi vis vest - you need one for each person in the car and they must be carried in the main body of the vehicle - NOT the boot. You will also need to carry a first aid kit too. Don't forget a GB sticker unless you have one of the newer number plates with the EU stars logo.

I always make sure I have a little purse with small notes and change in for any tolls.

We thoroughly enjoy driving in France as it is more pleasant and much less stressful than in the UK.

 

[Carrie_Cat]

Some cars (like mine) have a switch where you can convert the beam, but otherwise just pop into Halfords as suggested.

You will also need to carry BOTH parts of your driving licence with you as well as the V5 and insurance. It is worth noting that it is not enough to carry a hi vis vest - you need one for each person in the car and they must be carried in the main body of the vehicle - NOT the boot. You will also need to carry a first aid kit too. Don't forget a GB sticker unless you have one of the newer number plates with the EU stars logo.

I always make sure I have a little purse with small notes and change in for any tolls.

We thoroughly enjoy driving in France as it is more pleasant and much less stressful than in the UK.

France is still only a Hi-Vis for the driver - it doesn't hurt to have one pp but it is not the law unlike Spain

Remember also to turn off the radar location/locating device on your GPS as you are passable to a 1500€ fine

 

[angel_nix]

Our road maps have the speed cameras marked on - is it ok to have them in the car do you know?

 

[JustJonathan]

Our road maps have the speed cameras marked on - is it ok to have them in the car do you know?

When driving in France I always disable these just in-case, would rather be safe than sorry.

Don't forget also to carry a breathaliser kit with you as well as that is now the law.

You can buy beam converters very cheap, or alternatively just use black tape to stop the beam.

 

[Carrie_Cat]

When driving in France I always disable these just in-case, would rather be safe than sorry.

Don't forget also to carry a breathaliser kit with you as well as that is now the law.

You can buy beam converters very cheap, or alternatively just use black tape to stop the beam.

The breathaliser kits - as you mus have 2 of them - are not subjet to a fine before the 1st of Nov so if you haven't got one this time don't worry.... we haven't yet as OH's employeur has not received their order

 

[angel_nix]

When driving in France I always disable these just in-case, would rather be safe than sorry.

Don't forget also to carry a breathaliser kit with you as well as that is now the law.

You can buy beam converters very cheap, or alternatively just use black tape to stop the beam.

I should've been clearer, we're primative and still use paper!

 

[Becgaz]

Thanks for everybody's help! I think we'll be making a trip to halfords at the weekend!

 

[markpsych]

Not sure how soon you need them, but they're much cheaper via ebay :

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_sop=15&_from=R40&_nkw=headlight+converters&rt=nc&LH_BIN=1

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_172996_langId_-1_categoryId_165458

 

[Becgaz]

Not sure how soon you need them, but they're much cheaper via ebay :

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_sop=15&_from=R40&_nkw=headlight+converters&rt=nc&LH_BIN=1

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_172996_langId_-1_categoryId_165458

Thanks! I'm about to order them via eBay! We've got 11 days- not that I'm counting!!

 

[markpsych]

Thanks! I'm about to order them via eBay! We've got 11 days- not that I'm counting!!

 

[Mrs Stonfiesta]

We go in 11 days as well, might see you on the road

 

[Becgaz]

We go in 11 days as well, might see you on the road

how are you crossing? We're on the 4:20 ferry, think we may regret that one when we're sat in cafe mickey and the kids are bouncing off the walls!! I may take up drinking coffee! x

 

[Mrs Stonfiesta]

We used our tesco vouchers for the eurotunnel, that way dd (who was 3 sunday) stays in her car seat and will hopefully sleep a fair bot of the way as we wont have to move her out of the car seat unless she needs the toilet! She did really well last year but was still in nappies so i am unsure how many stops we will need to make (normally dont stop) so i am limiting water until we get there . So looking forward to it an hoping for good weather