Driving in France

[Mark_G]

I will be driving to France fairly soon and after talking with colleagues about all the equipment required to drive abroad, one of the chaps said that he always took a hand held two way radio when driving in Europe, so that if he needs advice, assistance or information, he can talk to the English lorry drivers. I thought CB radios went out years ago, does anyone use these things still or is this chap winding me up?

 

[Rooter]

Not sure what advice you would be after? Dogging locations?

Just make sure you have all the kit you are required to carry by law in France, high vis jacket, spare bulbs, warning triangle etc.

 

[Imurg]

Did I read somewhere that you have to have a DIY Breathalyser these days as well....?

Or am I imagining it........

 

[Rooter]

Did I read somewhere that you have to have a DIY Breathalyser these days as well....?

Or am I imagining it........

No you are right, I believe the implementation was delayed though due to them not making enough. Not sure if they are live now, will ask mon pere.

 

[JustOne]

Fire extinguisher is required too... and those lense cover things so you don't 'glare' everyone.

 

[Lump]

Did I read somewhere that you have to have a DIY Breathalyser these days as well....?

Or am I imagining it........

No you are right, I believe the implementation was delayed though due to them not making enough. Not sure if they are live now, will ask mon pere.

No longer needed.

Think its only Hi-vis jerkins in the cabin to hand is the only requirement now.

I will add, they also like you to have a reflective triangle and a GB sticker applied to the car somewhere.
Fire extinguishers are not needed.

 

[drawboy]

Hmmmmmn! Not a lover of driving on the other side of the road,I've never been successfull at it. I have only driven on the other side in Malta and Cyprus and for some reason I got a lot of stick off the locals.

 

[Hacker Khan]

And remember priorite a droit

I am sure at one stage in some places you had to give way to cars coming onto a roundabout. But I think that is no longer the case.

Also drive round l'arc triomphe roundabout if you can. It is both hilarious and absolutely terrifying at the same time. I joined it 4 months ago and I'm still on there now, unable to find a gap big enough to get through to get off.

 

[drawboy]

Should you be texting whilst driving HK......Tut tut, never a copper around when you need one

 

[Mark_G]

Not taking any dogs, so wont need any dogging sites. So far I have two Hi viz jackets stored in the door pockets, headlamp converters ready to be fitted, a spare bulb kit, a first aid kit, and a GB sticker, I still need to get a warning triangle, 2 alcohol breathalyser kits, and possibly a fire extinguisher. Although all this stuff may get dumped at the ferry terminal on the way back so I can get more wine in the car.

 

[full_throttle]

http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/overseas/driving-abroad-whats-new-2012.html

this link may help

 

[sev112]

It is a pleasure to drive in France, except for the road south from the ferry ports to the south of France, and around Paris.
The rest is empty and sedate and beautiful

Met a chap in Brittany a couple of years back, he had also come from near Reading. He was on holiday in Brittany too. Told me I was stupid for taking the Portsmouth Caen ferry and then driving for a few hours on French roads. He told me he preferred driving the M4 and M5 to Plymouth instead and getting the ferry from there to Brest to avoid French roads ?????

 

[Iaing]

Make sure your horn is working, and be prepared to use it a lot!

 

[Dellboy]

And remember priorite a droit

I am sure at one stage in some places you had to give way to cars coming onto a roundabout. But I think that is no longer the case.


Also drive round l'arc triomphe roundabout if you can. It is both hilarious and absolutely terrifying at the same time.

If you go deep down into France, you still do see the signs saying Vous n’avez pas la priorité, but hey are far and few between, but you still get some towns when you have to give way to cars coming from the right, ie side roads.

Paris is just a free for all so watch out, take can some cash with you for on the spot fines, and when in doubt, shut your eyes and go for it, the French do !!

 

[Liverbirdie]

And remember priorite a droit

I am sure at one stage in some places you had to give way to cars coming onto a roundabout. But I think that is no longer the case.

Also drive round l'arc triomphe roundabout if you can. It is both hilarious and absolutely terrifying at the same time. I joined it 4 months ago and I'm still on there now, unable to find a gap big enough to get through to get off.

Is it true that car insurance does not apply on the arc de triomphe roundabout? That's what I was told anyway.

 

[SocketRocket]

Not sure what advice you would be after? Dogging locations? Just make sure you have all the kit you are required to carry by law in France, high vis jacket, spare bulbs, warning triangle etc.

Strewth!! They must take their Dogging serious over there? I can just about get the hi-vis jackets and warning triangle but what do they do with the light bulbs??

 

[CliveW]

The use of speed camera warning devices such as TomToms are illegal in France. If you use one for navigation best to ensure the safety camera function is disabled, otherwise if caught it is an on the spot fine, as is for speeding and if you have insufficient funds you will be taken to a cash point and if you fail to pay the fine your car can be impounded until paid.

 

[Dellboy]

Is it true that car insurance does not apply on the arc de triomphe roundabout? That's what I was told anyway.

Car insurance !! Last time I drove round it i was more worried about is my life insurance up to date, we were going at a fair rate of knots just to keep up, it was raining, the wife was sinking lower and lower into her seat, my mother in law stopped talking and I started praying !!

 

[CliveW]

my mother in law stopped talking!!

Can't be all that bad then! :lol: