first time in france

[colin_374348516]

looking for some advise going to the vendee in july i was looking what it said you had to have with you in your car it said a high vis vest i take it means one for each passenger or is it just the driver

 

[GillC1]

colin,

You have to have one for each passenger

 

[Lutz]

No, hi-vis vests are not legally required for France, neither for the driver nor for passengers.

 

[Lutz]

The following countries require hi-vis vests to be worn by all persons that get out of the car by the side of a motorway or outside built-up areas (exceptions noted):

Austria (must be within reach of the driver's seat)

Belgium

Czech Republic (commercial vehicles only)

Croatia

Finland (driver only and only at night)

Germany (commercial vehicles only but also within built-up areas)

Hungary (only at night or bad visibility)

Italy

Montenegro (here, the hi-vis vest must be draped over the backrest of the seat to prove that it is readily at hand)

Norway (Norwegian registered vehicles only)

Portugal (Portuguese registered vehicles only)

Romania (only vehicles over 3.5 tonnes GVW)

Slovakia

Spain

Further exceptions apply in some countries to motorcyclists, but that probably won't interest most readers here.

 

[AnthonyNornIreland]

The caravan club site states that from summer 08 it will be a requirement to have hi-viz jackets for france.

dont know if just the driver or all in car, sorry.

 

[Lutz]

You're right. It comes into force on 1st July.

 

[Lutz]

ps: Slovenia was added to the list on the 1st May.

Normally, a vest is required for everyone getting out of the car in the vent of a breakdown or accident. If passengers stay within the vehicle, they do not need one (otherwise, coaches and buses would need a whole stock of hi-vis vests).