Warning for drivers to DLP

[Cyrano]

On July 1st 2008 a new law insisting all cars carry a luminous yellow safety vest for the driver to wear in an emergency came into effect with little publicity outside France.

Those caught without a vest face a stinging £100 on the spot fine which is why most French Motorists can now be seen with a High Visibility Vest or Jacket on the back of the drivers seat in open view.

The new regulation brings France into line with Spain and Germany so if your off on holiday make sure you add a High Visibility Vest or Jacket to the list of things you must take with you

The only luminous vests and jackets that conform to European Union health-and-safety regulations carry the code EN471

 

[bavaria]

Just a reminder that in Germany it is also law to have a first aid kit and emergency triangle as well as your safety vest in the vehicle

 

[Disneyadore]

Just a reminder that in Germany it is also law to have a first aid kit and emergency triangle as well as your safety vest in the vehicle

( OT and winter tires.)

Be aware that the French policy is very strict,especially against foreigners.

 

[Jeccaboos]

Do you think when you hire cars that these will have them in already? Last time was not a problem as we took our own car, but this time we are hiring one.

Hmmm....must make a mental note on paper to ask about that.

 

[poohmadmum]

Do you think when you hire cars that these will have them in already?

that's interesting because we hired a car from Bergerac Airport in the Dordogne in August and I don't recall seeing such a jacket either in the car or the boot unless it was hidden. I assume the car hire companies should be liable to provide them.

 

[Cyrano]

Just a reminder that in Germany it is also law to have a first aid kit and emergency triangle as well as your safety vest in the vehicle

I'm not sure about the first aid kit but we have one in the car anyway.
Yes France has required an emergency warning triangle, a spare set of bulbs and that you carry all vehicle documentation with you.

 

[tennisfan]

The law is that you have a safety vest for everyone who is in the car as well. Not just the driver.

 

[Cyrano]

The law is that you have a safety vest for everyone who is in the car as well. Not just the driver.

I had only read that it was the driver.
The AA stand at Eurotunnel is going to be busy

 

[tennisfan]

I had only read that it was the driver.
The AA stand at Eurotunnel is going to be busy

I thought that at first but have read in several places that it is per person. http://www.click-parts.co.uk/content/Driving-In-France.php & http://driving.drive-alive.co.uk/driving-in-france.htm are a couple of sites stating this.

They are selling them for 1 euro in the hypermarkets in Calais

We are fortunate as my dad managed to get a couple more from where he works

 

[ukstitch]

The law is that you have a safety vest for everyone who is in the car as well. Not just the driver.

I had only read that it was the driver.
The AA stand at Eurotunnel is going to be busy

I think it varies from country to country. Spain is certainly 1 per person (or so I'm told), so if France has been "brought into line", then that would be the case.

I suspect that it would be safer to take 1 per person. If the rumours about them being extremely strict about the rule to foreigners, then if you catch the wrong person on the wrong night, then if there's any leeway in the law at all, then there is a chance you could end up with that fine. At least if you have 1 per person, it doesn't matter how the law is interpreted

 

[ema74]

I'm not sure about the first aid kit but we have one in the car anyway.
Yes France has required an emergency warning triangle, a spare set of bulbs and that you carry all vehicle documentation with you.

I remember years ago back home in Macedonia and even now, my dad couldn't leave the house without the triangle, first aid kit and the bulbs. Don't think that's changed but I'm not sure about the vest.

 

[Numpty]

When we visited in Aug we were given a leaflet saying everyone in the car has to have Hi vis vest for France!
I got mine from poundland!
I think it is a very good idea and wish it was law over here!

 

[Rosie]

I'm glad i read this thread. My OH bought a pack with all the items in from Tesco but I think it only has one vest. I'm going to check before we go at Halloween and will try Poundland if we need extra vests.

 

[tennisfan]

When we visited in Aug we were given a leaflet saying everyone in the car has to have Hi vis vest for France!
I got mine from poundland!
I think it is a very good idea and wish it was law over here!

I too think it should be law over here, I carry one in my car & my dad has one in his.

 

[sjaakie]

I suspect that it would be safer to take 1 per person. If the rumours about them being extremely strict about the rule to foreigners, then if you catch the wrong person on the wrong night, then if there's any leeway in the law at all, then there is a chance you could end up with that fine. At least if you have 1 per person, it doesn't matter how the law is interpreted

We traveled fore ten years two times every month from Suisse to the Netherlands and believe me the French police d’Autoroute is very difficult to deal with.
We were the only car that had to open the trunk on the border .
They always would have a peek at my dirty undies even if there were no borders in Europe.
The most chance for a control is at the peage.
There also the cars with a foreign number plates are the first ones that have to pull aside.

 

[bavaria]

I have never been pulled over in France (most recently driving just a few weeks ago)

If I recall rental cars do have one vest; in Germany they definitely do, and I have rented many times in France this year. Didn't buy a vest so would think that I saw one in the trunk for my French rentals.

 

[Disneyadore]

I have never been pulled over in France (most recently driving just a few weeks ago)

If I recall rental cars do have one vest; in Germany they definitely do, and I have rented many times in France this year. Didn't buy a vest so would think that I saw one in the trunk for my French rentals.

As told French numberplate's have no problems. Foreigners will be pulled aside and will be inspected.

 

[bavaria]

As told French numberplate's have no problems. Foreigners will be pulled aside and will be inspected.

I was talking about when I drive my GERMAN car in France. I have never been pulled over driving my German car, nor a French rental.

 

[hildasmuriel]

Just a reminder...............

Take a look here : http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/overseas/countrybycountry.html

The AA would like to hear from anybody who has been fined, as the Dept of Motoring says fines won't be enforced until October.

 

[Cyrano]

As told French numberplate's have no problems. Foreigners will be pulled aside and will be inspected.

In all the times I have driven in France we have seen considerably more French number plates pulled over.
I think you were told urban myth rather than reality :lol
On one occassion FIL was pulled over and the policeman realising that they could not undersatnd a word smiled and waved them on after 1 minute. I should add this was a vehicle spot check and not checking for speeding