Just a reminder for all those going to France.

Taken from a French forum.......

"High visibility vest and triangle mandatory from 1 October 2008


Motorists: vest and triangle mandatory from 1 October 2008

Sanctions will be applied from 1 October 2008 against motorists whose vehicle is not equipped with a high visibility safety vest and warning triangle.

From that date, motorists who do not comply with these new obligations will be liable to a class-4 fine (€135 fixed penalty, reduced to €90 if paid within 15 days of issue).

The high visibility safety vest must be worn by a driver before he exits a vehicle immobilised on or by the roadside in response to an emergency.
It must include the "CE" mark and a reference to one of two standards: "EN 471" or "EN 1150".

Upon leaving the vehicle, the driver must place a warning triangle on the roadside at a distance of at least 30 meters from his vehicle or from the obstacle.
The marking "E 27 R" certifies the conformity of the triangle with existing standards.


The wearing a high visibility safety vest also becomes mandatory from 1 October 2008 for every cycle rider and passenger, when out of town at night (or during the day, when visibility is insufficient).
Any cycle rider or passenger not wearing a high visibility safety vest after that date will be liable to a class-2 fine (€35 fixed penalty, reduced to €22 if paid within 15 days of issue).

Vests and triangles are available in the automotive accessories shelves of supermarkets, from automotive suppliers, in service stations, etc...




Plus that article about unmarked police motorcyclists........the guy in the middle on the grey bike!

http://www.alencon.maville.com/actu...-traquer-les-infractions-_dep-853395_actu.Htm



P


PS And just to re-assure you all even further...........( I posted this on the darkside board too)


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/road-safety/3190922/Dont-mess-with-the-French-police.html

Good reminder Parisien....I was stopped 2 years ago but I had all that was needed so I was sent on my way. They stopped just to check.

When going to Le Mans, the law is out in force, its like a bumper pay day for them, so any excuse to fleece the 'Roast Beef' is taken. Also, if you get done over 200kph / 125mph, you will get your car taken from you and impounded if you say that it is your car. If stopped, say it is not your car, its a family member who is not in France with you, then you just get a fine. Up until last year, France, did not have access to the UK DVLA database, it might be wise to check if that is still the case.

Also if you get caught with a radar/speed detector in the car, even though its not in use, its a big fine €1,000 or something like that, so best to leave it at home, they will strip the car down if they suspect you have one or you just get arsy with them and p!ss them off.

Yup, the gendarmes word takes precedent over yours.....ie...its up to your to prove hes lying!!! The fine is E1500....not sure it they can impound it too.........best behaviour guys!!!


Loz wants to be able to count them all out.........and count them all back!!





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I shall be on best behavior , have it on good authority Mr traffic Genderme runs a two shift system 6am-2pm and 2pm -10pm and only a miniscule skeleton cover at night and early morning so if your to chance your arm a little purely by accident of course best to it before 6 in the morning hence im on the very early crossing and will be 60 miles from Calais before all the blood rushes to my right foot making it heavier. I spend my whole life in the UK playing it safe under a nanny state we need some place to let the hair down , just be mega vigilant


regards loz

Loz, best behaviour?

All I am saying is 140, 3 abreast!

The Genderme hide in the bushes they are sneaky beggers, but they just want your €90 fine and send you on your way, ready for the next. We drive in convoy, 3 or 4 car, and regularly swap position. A gentleman's agreement of splitting the fine between the cars always works for us.

Good info, especially about stating it's not your car if pulled at high speed! I'd rather pay any fine than have my car taken, I'm sure we all would and I'd be lying if I said I hadn't been to the 'car-confiscation zone'...

Interestingly Loz, I think we'll be arriving after 10pm on the Friday... how fortunate

Conaero said:

If stopped, say it is not your car, its a family member who is not in France with you, then you just get a fine. Up until last year, France, did not have access to the UK DVLA database, it might be wise to check if that is still the case.

Click to expand...

But....aren't you supposed to take the car registration document with you too? So if you don't have it, another offence to add to list....whilst still impounding your car..........!!!!


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????? dunno, when stopped in the past, we have never been asked for it, needs clearing up though.

Fraid so.......

http://www.aboutdrivingabroad.co.uk/tips-for-driving-france.html

Relevant section below.......

Essential Items for Driving in France
You can drive in France on a UK licence, so long as it is a full UK licence. You should also have your vehicle documents and insurance with you and if you’re not driving your own car, you may need written permission from the registered owner. From 1 October 2008, it is mandatory in France for all vehicles to carry a reflective jacket( NB...my words INSIDE the car!) and a warning triangle. Make sure that you have these in your car – if you don’t you could face an on the spot fine. An extremely important note to consider is that in France the minimum age for driving is 18. This means that even if you have a full UK licence at age 17, you won’t be able to legally drive in France. If you do, you may be fined or your car may be impounded, leading to a large fine. Seat belts are also obligatory in both the front and rear of your car, so ensure everyone is buckled up.

Speeding Laws in France
Speeding laws are extremely tough in France and although there are generally higher speed limits in the UK, this of course means there may be higher risk of accidents, especially for people who are unfamiliar with the roads.

* Motorway Speeds – 130 km/h (110 when wet)
* Open Road – 90 km/h (80 when wet)
* Dual Carriageway – 110 lm/h (100 when wet)
* Town – 50 km/h

Speeding will often result in an on-the-spot fine and if you’re found to be travelling at more than 25 km/h above the speed limit for the road, you may even have your licence confiscated there and then. If this happens, your vehicle may temporarily be impounded as you will no longer be able to drive without your licence. Radar detectors are illegal in France, so make sure that you remove yours before travelling there. Even if you don’t have it switched on, it’s still illegal to have one in your car and should you be caught with one, you will have the device removed and may even be fined or have your vehicle taken from you. It’s extremely important to follow these rules as it can be a logistical and financial nightmare if you are fined.



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PS But NO mention of spare set of bulbs....nor avoiding that E10 type petrol for Italian super cars!....

I'd rather have the fine for not having the car documents than have it iimpounded though. Would be good to have this cleared up wouldn't it!

I always carry my licence over there, I'm sure it's not hard to get 'written permission' from the owner either. He's a good sort

Just to bump this up....plus a link for those last minute bits and pieces...


http://www.click-parts.co.uk/content/driving-in-france-checklist.php


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Do you need GB stickers now....I've not out therm on when I've been over for some time apart from the ones on the number plate...If you have them.

Andyk said:

Do you need GB stickers now....I've not out therm on when I've been over for some time apart from the ones on the number plate...If you have them.

Click to expand...

If they are on no. plate.....nope.

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Can't stand sticking stuff on the car so thats good

Yep, that is correct, if you have the GB badge on the left of both number plates, you dont need them. Incidentally, I have the St Georges cross on mine and not the Union Jack, so mine are again, illegal......when will I ever learn.

Always have Euro thing on mine after a friend caught some scrots scrating his car because they saw the Union Jack...but then I do like to think I'm part Italian as my Mothers Gran twice removed lived in Florence...

I got banned for doing 132kms in the french countryside. They escorted me to the nearest town (after taking my driving licence off me) relieved me of 145 euros and told me they would confiscate my car if they caught me driving. He then parked up on the side of the road leading out of town and watched me. Given that I was 90 miles west of Dunkirk, had 6 hours to sailing time and my companion was my 13 year old son how did we manage to catch the ferry? Answers on a postcard. I even put two fingers up to him as we passed by (a unique to-the-french gesture) and he couldn't do a thing about it. Most satisfying!! It's almost ironic calling them Nazis!

A bummer Benny...........................go put us out of our misery......just how did you do it..................................





..................putting the 2 fingers up at Gendarme.......and not ending up in the Bastille!!!!!!!!!????


....yeah and getting to Dunkirk.........


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Not the first time have Brits left in a bit of a hurry through Dunkirk! It's a bit naughty but; I called the insurance and told them I had hit a brick in the road and thought I had damaged my steering as there was a bit of A wobble from the front. They despatched a tow truck, put me on the back and took me to Dunkirk. I drove off the back and straight onto the ferry. The insurance company called me the next day to see if I had incurred any further costs and I told them I had merely changed the wheel and all was Ok. I offered to pay for the tow, as my no claims wasn't protected, and they said they would forward the invoice to me when it came through. It never did, and 1 year and a day later it was written off. Result! Never underestimate the power of lateral thinking!