Hi all, I have just booked a shopping trip to France and shall be taking the car. Strictly hypermarket and back you understand. It has just occurred to me that I'll need to organise insurance, breakdown cover (I'm with Green Flag) plus whatever I need to legally carry to comply with French Law. Would appreciate any advice from any folks who do similar trips. Best wishes, George T.
France for a day
- Thread starter butler1
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George...most insurance policies already include european cover, usually limited to short trips. Check your policy. Also, all the motoring breakdown organisations will provide members with additional, short term, breakdown cover for a small fee (around
George, we did a one day trip to France last week, Hull to Zeebrugge and then down to France to the hypermarket. I phoned my insurance company (MORE THAN) and told them the countries and dates I would be abroad and there was no extra to pay. I just got a letter confirming my cover which I needed to take with me.
It is also advisable to inform your bank and credit card company that you might be using your cards abroad so they do not cancel them when they see they have been used in a foreign country.
My Green Flag coveres me for short trips to Europe.
You need your V5, insurance details, driving licence and current MOT.
HTH.
Graeme.
It is also advisable to inform your bank and credit card company that you might be using your cards abroad so they do not cancel them when they see they have been used in a foreign country.
My Green Flag coveres me for short trips to Europe.
You need your V5, insurance details, driving licence and current MOT.
HTH.
Graeme.
scuse me ?
You said "green fluorescent jacket."
Umm - thought one usually wore yellow ?
Remember BTW your fluorescent jacket/waistcoat has to be on as you get out of the car , should the worst happen. Ours live on the backs of our seats
You said "green fluorescent jacket."
Umm - thought one usually wore yellow ?
Remember BTW your fluorescent jacket/waistcoat has to be on as you get out of the car , should the worst happen. Ours live on the backs of our seats
Thanks for the replies. My insurance company will offer insurance free. Green Flag will cover me for break-down for
Hi George,
As Graeme said yes you will need spare bulbs, a warning triangle, yellow fluorescent jacket kept in the car, also if you wear glasses or contact lenses you are supposed to carry a spare pair of those too! A first Aid kit as you are supposed to stop & help at any accidents you see.
GB sticker & headlamb deflectors are needed too.
You buy all of this in a kit from RAC/AA Halfords etc.
Have a nice trip!
Caroline
As Graeme said yes you will need spare bulbs, a warning triangle, yellow fluorescent jacket kept in the car, also if you wear glasses or contact lenses you are supposed to carry a spare pair of those too! A first Aid kit as you are supposed to stop & help at any accidents you see.
GB sticker & headlamb deflectors are needed too.
You buy all of this in a kit from RAC/AA Halfords etc.
Have a nice trip!
Caroline
Angela, it must be my eyes but I thought the high viz jackets looked sort of lime green!!
http://www.motifs.co.uk/safetyjackets.html
I think some things look green and my wife thinks they are blue!
http://www.motifs.co.uk/safetyjackets.html
I think some things look green and my wife thinks they are blue!
Hi George T. If you take all of the advised gadgets, will you have any room on board for the odd bottle or two from the hypermarkets.
I always take all of the legally required items when hollidaying abroad (is france abroad or just a different europeam country) but when I have made a Booze Cruise for for only a few hours I (and i am sure, the majority) have just cheched in at Dover and then drove to and from the Calais hypermarket and back to the ferry without a thought about French trivia.
PS....Car insurance has been valid on all trips.
I always take all of the legally required items when hollidaying abroad (is france abroad or just a different europeam country) but when I have made a Booze Cruise for for only a few hours I (and i am sure, the majority) have just cheched in at Dover and then drove to and from the Calais hypermarket and back to the ferry without a thought about French trivia.
PS....Car insurance has been valid on all trips.
Hi Salad Dodger, Yes, I think you have a point. I mean, unless something goes seriously amiss will the headlamp deflectors be worthwhile given that I'm only there for 4 daylight hours. I've got the other bits...well maybe I don't have the spare bulbs. Any gendarmes reading this? No? Oh good, then I won't have a reception committee when I arrive. Best Wishes, george T.
Salad Dodger you speak the truth.
As for the belt and braces bregade, all I can say is, GET A LIFE,
ttfn
As for the belt and braces bregade, all I can say is, GET A LIFE,
ttfn
High vis vests, whether green, yellow, orange or any other colour are not required if you are going only to France.
I commute between the Chilterns and Rotterdam, travelling through France, Belgium and Holland - and agree with Lutz, none of those countries require high vis vests (but they are a good idea).
If you are driving to the Auchan at Grande Synthe - remember the new fixed speed cameras in the 110 kph section around Dunkerque.
If you wear prescription spectacles, you are required to carry a spare pair inside the car (France only).
You should fit beam deflectors to your car headlights, or if you have head-lamp level control just wind the beams down so they can't dazzle oncoming drivers, or if you have Bi-Xenon headlamps flip the knob on the headlamp to "symmetric" beam. (France requires head-lamps on in poor visibility).
Insurance and car papers - my insurance covers me for an unlimited number of trips to Europe and has the Green card on the back of the insurance certificate - and I don't believe my insurers are doing anything special.
I was in the Auchan (Grande Synthe) hypermarket on Saturday morning on my way home - current specials are on gardening from seeds to lawn movers, DIY tools, local breads (Pave Dunkerquois), and early cauliflowers and leeks (enormous sack for a few Euro).
Wine selection was a bit down on pre-Christmas levels, but some good deals too.
And before anyone comments, I much prefer shopping in the local markets, but didn't have time.
Security (well random testing) at the ports / Eurotunnel - was noticeably higher - more cars checked for explosives (wipe test) and other tests.
Robert
If you are driving to the Auchan at Grande Synthe - remember the new fixed speed cameras in the 110 kph section around Dunkerque.
If you wear prescription spectacles, you are required to carry a spare pair inside the car (France only).
You should fit beam deflectors to your car headlights, or if you have head-lamp level control just wind the beams down so they can't dazzle oncoming drivers, or if you have Bi-Xenon headlamps flip the knob on the headlamp to "symmetric" beam. (France requires head-lamps on in poor visibility).
Insurance and car papers - my insurance covers me for an unlimited number of trips to Europe and has the Green card on the back of the insurance certificate - and I don't believe my insurers are doing anything special.
I was in the Auchan (Grande Synthe) hypermarket on Saturday morning on my way home - current specials are on gardening from seeds to lawn movers, DIY tools, local breads (Pave Dunkerquois), and early cauliflowers and leeks (enormous sack for a few Euro).
Wine selection was a bit down on pre-Christmas levels, but some good deals too.
And before anyone comments, I much prefer shopping in the local markets, but didn't have time.
Security (well random testing) at the ports / Eurotunnel - was noticeably higher - more cars checked for explosives (wipe test) and other tests.
Robert
Sorry to have to throw a correction in here, Rob, but since the 1st Feb, hi-vis vests are required for Belgium.
By the way, green hi-vis vests are illegal in Italy.
By the way, green hi-vis vests are illegal in Italy.
Thanks Lutz,
Glad I have one in the car then, but I'd missed (or ignored) that information on the Vlaams motoring web-site.
Robert
Glad I have one in the car then, but I'd missed (or ignored) that information on the Vlaams motoring web-site.
Robert
Just a recap of those countries currently requiring high-vis vests:
Belgium - no fine for not having one, only for not wearing one, when required (50-1375_!)
Czech Republic - only commercially used vehicles including cars used on commercial business.
Portugal (only for vehicles registered in Portugal). There are different fines for not having one (60-300_) and for not wearing one, when required (120-600_).
Spain (not required for motorcycles) Fine 50_ maximum - will accept fluorescent braces as an alternative,
Austria (not required for motorcycles)
Italy - no fine for not having one, only for not wearing one, when required (36_ minimum)
Croatia - no fines
Romania (only for vehicles with a GVW of over 3.5 tonnes)
Slovakia - fine for not having one or not wearing one, when required, 50_ minimum.
Norway - only required for vehicles registered in Norway. Must be reachable from the driver's seat. No fines.
Germany - only for vehicles used commercially, i.e. including taxis, courier vehicles, etc.
Finland - applies to all pedestrians outside built up areas.
Reflective clothing in general is acceptable. No need for vests according to EN471. No fines.
Note that in most other cases, the vests must be marked according to EN471.
In general, only one is required for the driver so long as other vehicle occupants stay inside the car and the need to wear one normally applies only outside built-up areas. Strangely enough, several countries refer specifically to the driver only so that theoretically, if a passenger gets out of the car instead of the driver, he or she would not have to wear one (but I wouldn't rely on it).
Belgium - no fine for not having one, only for not wearing one, when required (50-1375_!)
Czech Republic - only commercially used vehicles including cars used on commercial business.
Portugal (only for vehicles registered in Portugal). There are different fines for not having one (60-300_) and for not wearing one, when required (120-600_).
Spain (not required for motorcycles) Fine 50_ maximum - will accept fluorescent braces as an alternative,
Austria (not required for motorcycles)
Italy - no fine for not having one, only for not wearing one, when required (36_ minimum)
Croatia - no fines
Romania (only for vehicles with a GVW of over 3.5 tonnes)
Slovakia - fine for not having one or not wearing one, when required, 50_ minimum.
Norway - only required for vehicles registered in Norway. Must be reachable from the driver's seat. No fines.
Germany - only for vehicles used commercially, i.e. including taxis, courier vehicles, etc.
Finland - applies to all pedestrians outside built up areas.
Reflective clothing in general is acceptable. No need for vests according to EN471. No fines.
Note that in most other cases, the vests must be marked according to EN471.
In general, only one is required for the driver so long as other vehicle occupants stay inside the car and the need to wear one normally applies only outside built-up areas. Strangely enough, several countries refer specifically to the driver only so that theoretically, if a passenger gets out of the car instead of the driver, he or she would not have to wear one (but I wouldn't rely on it).
Living in Kent, we do the run a few times a year,and will be going over Saturday week. Insurance is free for up to 3 days (with Esure),and as I am lucky enough to have a new vehicle the recovery is europe wide.
You do need to have the GB plate in some form , also a bulb kit, warning triangle, headlights are supposed to be turned for driving on the right(or have deflectors) My Freelander 2 has levers on the headlights for turning them as my previous Vectra had. Also first aid kit I think and a yellow jacket.
Finally if you are going to the Auchen hypermarket and you find a gaping hole where the cases of Cote de Luberon (blanc) were then blame me!!
You do need to have the GB plate in some form , also a bulb kit, warning triangle, headlights are supposed to be turned for driving on the right(or have deflectors) My Freelander 2 has levers on the headlights for turning them as my previous Vectra had. Also first aid kit I think and a yellow jacket.
Finally if you are going to the Auchen hypermarket and you find a gaping hole where the cases of Cote de Luberon (blanc) were then blame me!!
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