Driving in France - Definitive List of Requirements

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dvisor
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Driving in France - Definitive List of Requirements

Post by dvisor » Mon Aug 17, 2009 12:15 pm

There's quite a bit of information around regarding requirements for driving in France, but none of it seems to be totally complete. For example, we all know its necessary to carry a high-vis vest, but will any old fluorescent vest with reflective strips do? It turns out that, strictly speaking, the vest should have a number of labels attached to it. Also, there's often contradiction about what's compulsory, and what's recommended. This is my understanding of the requirements, maybe it's of use to others? I'm certainly no expert, so maybe others with more experience can add notes where I've gone wrong?

Mandatory Requirements

The following items are mandatory when driving in France. Failure to comply with any of the legislations may result in an on-the-spot fine, which could be up to 135 Euros for each offence. Foreign travellers have to pay fines on the spot in the local currency with travelers cheques and credit cards not being acceptable. Inability to pay may result in the vehicle being impounded until the fine has been paid. So, it is advisable to ensure that you carry enough cash on you in case the worst happens.

High Visibility Jacket

It is mandatory to carry at least one fluorescent high visibility jacket when driving in France, and the French Road Safety Department strongly advise carrying 2 hi-vis vests. If you are involved in an accident or breakdown whilst driving in France, or assist someone in an accident or breakdown, you are required to wear your reflective safety jacket. French law states that it must be easily accessible from inside the car, so it's no good keeping it in the boot. In fact, it's wise wise to make sure that the jacket is visible from outside the vehicle - you are less likely to be stopped by the Fench police (who may then take the opportunity to look for other problems - British drivers are a lucrative cash cow). Many locals dress their driver or passenger seat in their high-vis vest. Strictly speaking the jacket must...
  • ...bear a CE mark stating conformance to EU standard EN 471 or EN 1150
    ...have a label with care instructions
    ...have a notice in French indicating how to use them
    ...have a notice stating how to keep and clean them, and the date up to which they can be used.


Warning Triangle

A warning triangle conforming to Geneva Ruling N :27 (bearing the marking E27R) is a mandatory requirement when driving in France. In the case of a breakdown or accident the triangle must be placed 50-150 metres behind your vehicle to warn approaching traffic. Hazard warning lights alone are not regarded as being sufficient, but you still need to turn them on.

Headlamp Adaptors

UK vehicles are designed for driving on the left hand side of the road, which means that when driving in France you will dazzle oncoming drivers. Failure to adapt your headlamps will render the vehicle unfit for the road, invalidating your motor insurance and resulting in an on the spot fine. Self adhesive headlamp deflector kits are readily available from motoring shops, but remember to remove them on your return to the UK.

GB Plate

International Law requires that you indicate the Country of Registration on your vehicle. UK registered vehicles displaying Euro-plates (a circle of 12 stars above the national identifier on blue background) no longer need a GB sticker when driving in European Union countries. If you do not have a Euro-plate, a GB sticker (at least 6.9in by 4.5in) can be purchased from a motoring store, and this should be sited on the rear of the vehicle on the passenger side (for UK right-hand drive vehicles). You can get plates that stick to your bodywork or glass, or magnetic plates. My advice would be to steer well clear of magnetic plates, unless you have used them before without problem. On my vehicle, at least, a reaction was caused with the underlying paintwork (not simple abrasion). I used a non-sticky vinyl plate attached to my rear window. These should be attached to the interior, but because my rear window is tinted, I attached it successfully to the exterior. With two weeks driving, it failed to fall off, peels off easily when you want it to, and there is no risk to the paintwork.

Spare Spectacles

If you wear spectacles or contact lenses you are required to carry a spare pair.

UK Driving License

It is compulsory to carry your driving license with you at all times when driving in France. If your licence does not incorporate a photograph, ensure you carry your passport to validate the licence.

Car Registration Documents

Your V5 vehicle registration document must be carried with you at all times. If the vehicle is not registered in your name, carry a letter from the registered owner giving you permission to drive. If your company car is leased, you will need permission from the lease company plus a 'Vehicle on Hire Certificate' [VE103R]. The lease companies are used to this and will usually send you a pack with all the documentation you'll need.

Car Insurance

Check with your insurance company that you are covered for mainland European driving prior to leaving for France, and obtain a 'green card'. This is an internationally recognised document proving that your vehicle meets the minimum car insurance requirement for driving in France. Some insurance companies will charge for providing a green card. Carry the documentation with you at all times.

MOT certificate

(Undecided whether this is a legal requirement, or is recommended).

Recommended

The following items are not mandatory, but it is advisable to carry them in any case.

Spare Bulbs and fuses

All vehicle lamps, lenses and reflectors must be in working order at all times. Failure to replace a broken bulb could result in a spot fine, so always carry spares for all your car lights. You should also carry a set of spare fuses.

First Aid Kit

A First Aid kit should be carried in your vehicle at all times when driving in France. Under French law you are obliged to stop and render assistance if you see a citizen in trouble.

Fire Extinguisher

If you carry a fire extinguisher while driving in France and you see a vehicle on fire, under French law you are obliged to stop and render assistance. If you fail to render assistance in the event of a fire or take necessary precautions to prevent a fire from escalating is an offence.

"European Accident Statement" form

This is a pair of forms that should be filled in by both you and the other party if you are involved in an accident. One form is in English, and the other in French. Details of the accident are entered, a drawing made, and both parties agree the statements and sign the forms. The purpose is to simplify matters. Your insurer will probably send one out to you, but if not, you can download a pair of forms at http://european-accident-statement.acci ... ort_FR.php

Don't Take

Speed-trap radar detectors are illegal in France, even if turned off, and you can get a heavy on-the-spot fine if caught (up to 1500 Euros and the vehicle and/or device may be confiscated). SatNav POIs, however, are legal.
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Re: Driving in France - Definitive List of Requirements

Post by Matt&JoyBongling » Mon Aug 17, 2009 12:44 pm

Thanks for this useful comprehensive list. Perhaps this could be made "sticky"?
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Re: Driving in France - Definitive List of Requirements

Post by missfixit70 » Mon Aug 17, 2009 12:46 pm

Done :wink:
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Re: Driving in France - Definitive List of Requirements

Post by mikexgough » Mon Aug 17, 2009 1:36 pm

Thanks for posting the list, save me and others doing it for other foreign Bongo nomads..........

One thing though it would be good for everyone to......just get what is on the list as it is useful in the UK too IMHO.......

Oh and we have one vest per passenger....for safety's sake- even for in the UK
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Re: Driving in France - Definitive List of Requirements

Post by dunslair » Mon Aug 17, 2009 2:05 pm

=D> =D> =D> Could this be posted / made intoa fact sheet :wink: :?:
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Re: Driving in France - Definitive List of Requirements

Post by Bin Bongoed » Tue Aug 18, 2009 2:17 pm

dvisor wrote: Speed-trap radar detectors are illegal in France, even if turned off, and you can get a heavy on-the-spot fine if caught (up to 1500 Euros and the vehicle and/or device may be confiscated). SatNav POIs, however, are legal.
Does this mean any sat nav with speed trap position indicator is illegal? Sounds like it.
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Re: Driving in France - Definitive List of Requirements

Post by dvisor » Tue Aug 18, 2009 2:19 pm

Bin Bongoed wrote:
dvisor wrote: Speed-trap radar detectors are illegal in France, even if turned off, and you can get a heavy on-the-spot fine if caught (up to 1500 Euros and the vehicle and/or device may be confiscated). SatNav POIs, however, are legal.
Does this mean any sat nav with speed trap position indicator is illegal? Sounds like it.
No - they're OK - they are just POIs, not radar detectors.
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Re: Driving in France - Definitive List of Requirements

Post by malabar » Tue Aug 18, 2009 2:38 pm

Thanks for the definitive list - I've made a few copies for friends. Glad to see you made it to La Roche Bernard campsite Le Patis, very much hope you enjoyed the little town and some of the stunning places around. We were there before you, we left for home 14th July. Met one other Bongo while we were there, and saw one in the High Street, but not in the site. Saving up to go to Cahors first week in October. Recommended by someone we met, and it was just great. In the river Lot area, down past Limoges. Love to live there, but with the Bongo, we can, to some extent, and there's always another great view round the corner. Thanks again. Malabar.
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Re: Driving in France - Definitive List of Requirements

Post by dvisor » Tue Aug 18, 2009 5:52 pm

malabar wrote:Thanks for the definitive list - I've made a few copies for friends. Glad to see you made it to La Roche Bernard campsite Le Patis, very much hope you enjoyed the little town and some of the stunning places around. We were there before you, we left for home 14th July. Met one other Bongo while we were there, and saw one in the High Street, but not in the site. Saving up to go to Cahors first week in October. Recommended by someone we met, and it was just great. In the river Lot area, down past Limoges. Love to live there, but with the Bongo, we can, to some extent, and there's always another great view round the corner. Thanks again. Malabar.
Hi Malabar - Yes, we made it to Le Patis, on your recommendation, and it was a great site. One we will certainly be using again as a base in the future. Very friendly staff too. We only spent two nights there, so there's plenty more for us to explore next time. The only down side was on the second night someone who decided to take a set of drums camping with him :? He stopped around 23:30. I wouldn't have minded too much, but he wasn't very good!
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Re: Driving in France - Definitive List of Requirements

Post by malabar » Tue Aug 18, 2009 8:40 pm

There's always one! Perhaps he got drummed out of the site. If you went along the old port, as far as Yackham's Bar/Pub; opposite Le Sarah B, we have a small apartment above that. If you ever see us sunning on the balcony, you'd be welcome for a drink. We got down to Carcassonne last time which is mind-boggling, (there's a novel called 'The Labyrinth' based on its history.) Guerande, near La R. Bernard is an impressive walled city, but it pales by comparison. We found Cahors on the way back - that's what you do with a Bongo - have adventures! Cheers!
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Re: Driving in France - Definitive List of Requirements

Post by Bin Bongoed » Tue Aug 18, 2009 10:56 pm

That's good info, Dvisor. We've been a bit worried about that. When we drove into Honfleur the other day, there was a police road block just around a corner, but they waived us through. Panic over.

We were in La Roche 10 or 12 days ago, and in Carcasonne back in May/early June, after our Italian lakes trip with the other Bongonauts (Italian Job). Other than travelling companions, I've never seen another Bongo in Europe. Not too surprising, I suppose.

Travelling in France and staying in aires or cheap campsites is so cheap as to make it an alternative to paying higher charges in this country. We stayed free at good aires, paid only £129 for return ferry Portsmouth/Le Havre thanks to LD Lines. We bought no food (maybe an ice cream), for 6 days holiday. Even the diesel is cheaper, .95 litre or so. Plus we got some really good weather in La Rochelle area, when we left UK it had been raining for ages.

We're off to SW France in September for 2 weeks, not in the Bongo this time, although that was the plan. Then a cheap offer on Ryanair intervened.
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Re: Driving in France - Definitive List of Requirements

Post by missfixit70 » Tue Aug 18, 2009 11:02 pm

Can't park an airplane on an Aires Geoff [-X :lol:
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Re: Driving in France - Definitive List of Requirements

Post by Bin Bongoed » Wed Aug 19, 2009 9:30 am

Only because Ryanair haven't thought of it yet.
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Re: Driving in France - Definitive List of Requirements

Post by pippin » Wed Aug 19, 2009 11:22 am

They would charge you for it though!
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Re: Driving in France - Definitive List of Requirements

Post by baronweetman » Sun Feb 28, 2010 12:25 pm

Don't forget the spare specs have to be the same prescription as the ones you normally drive in. Don't know how they can tell tho'.
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