Driving Abroad

[c4sman]

I thought you had to be careful sticking stuff to xenon's due to heat build up causing the perspex lens covers to deform/discolour?

 

[alfatwo]

When in France you drive as fast as you can get away with and upset as many locals on the way as possible!

I never drive in France...much prefer Germany

Dave

 

[BennyD]

When in France you drive as fast as you can get away with and upset as many locals on the way as possible!

I wholeheartedly concur!

 

[allandwf]

Thanks all, will start collecting the bits and bobs. Journey back, we are heading to Garda, then Leichtenstein, then up through Germany, (plan at the moment.)

 

[BigR]

Well plenty of advice - and all very much appreciated, thank you! The AA seemed to be a decent source of what to take and also covered off the apparent ambiguity and uncertainty in France of whether breathalyser kits are required (they're about £3 so one less thing for the Gendarme's to pick up on).

I also asked a French colleague about the rules around on the spot fines. Basically there are rules......unless they decide that its a special occasion dictated by some local dignatry who says otherwise - and then they can do whatever they want. How terribly French...

I may stick a bit of tape on the lights to make it look like I've made the effort, but then again I may not bother! Perhaps I'll just shrug a lot if I get pulled and they'll just assume I'm a local in a British car and send me on my way with a merry smile. Or maybe not.

 

[TridentTested]

In thirty years of driving in France regularly - I have family and property there - I've only ever been stopped once in a routine check (near Drewf's neck of the woods in Cluses) when I was driving my locally registered but very down-at-heel 205. I've never been stopped when driving a new car.

Luckily I do always carry my licence and that's all they were interested in seeing.

 

[TridentTested]

Don't forget - the spare bulb kit doesn't really have to match the car. That's not the point of having it... It's main use is to wave at the nice policeman, who will then go away and leave you to fix the lamp. Try fixing a QP headlamp by the side of the road, and the futility of having the correct spare bulb will become obvious. Just buy the cheapest set from Aldi, do not open it, and throw it in the boot.

+1

 

[hodroyd]

I think that silly law has been done away with. .

It was only delayed due to availability, I'm pretty sure it is now law and enforced if you are stopped, they don't cost a lot so get some just in case..!! You have to have 2, so get more just in case you are stopped and have to use one, if you do and you only have 2, you will then be done for not having 2 on board, clever eh..!!

 

[CatmanV2]

+1

And another. Soapykylie ex of this parish had a random bag of spare bulbs for his 3200

C

 

[CatmanV2]

It was only delayed due to availability, I'm pretty sure it is now law and enforced if you are stopped, they don't cost a lot so get some just in case..!! You have to have 2, so get more just in case you are stopped and have to use one, if you do and you only have 2, you will then be done for not having 2 on board, clever eh..!!

The fine is less than the cost of the kits though, but I have them just to make life simpler.

C

 

[hodroyd]

Bear in mind they also run out of date (I think), so check them when you buy them (Breath Kits), they are cheap and fun to blow in when you're bored..!!

 

[drewf]

They are really cheap in Carrefour / similar. Happy to bring some back for people if they want them. Will be at Ace next week....

 

[hodroyd]

Nice offer Drew..!!

 

[drewf]

No worries - at Gatwick tonight, flying home first thing tomorrow morning, need to know by say 4pm UK time on Saturday who wants them. They come in packs of two... Or I can pick them up pretty much any weekend, just not always going to be able to hand them out at the Ace within days

 

[hodroyd]

I'm sure I have a few still in date sufficient for the next trip, but i will check and let you know..!!

 

[roger102]

yep they do I need some more

Bear in mind they also run out of date (I think), so check them when you buy them (Breath Kits), they are cheap and fun to blow in when you're bored..!!

 

[alfatwo]

Just had a invite from "CARD" the Italian Alfa Duetto club to join in an event in Rome in the summer,,,they desperatly want to see the old "Guida Destra" 3200GT Maser.....so that means upsetting the French and the Italians! Cant wait

Dave

 

[Contigo]

Sounds like a great trip Dave....

 

[Tilum]

You will need: Warning Triangle, Breathalyser Kit (with more than 2 uses), Spare Lamp Kit, Yellow Jacket for each passenger (store inside the car), GB Badge (unless it's on your Reg Plate) ...There might be a few other bits, but these are the main ones..!!

here's Halfrauds well out of date list! Why they don't update it.. needs the breathalyser adding, don't think there's any new hidden revenue generators just yet. guess they printed 100k off so they are going to use them all up!
View attachment 20522

Don't forget - the spare bulb kit doesn't really have to match the car. That's not the point of having it... It's main use is to wave at the nice policeman, who will then go away and leave you to fix the lamp. Try fixing a QP headlamp by the side of the road, and the futility of having the correct spare bulb will become obvious. Just buy the cheapest set from Aldi, do not open it, and throw it in the boot.

Big points are: have the hi-viz in the car not in the boot, have a warning triangle, have a (complete) spare bulb set, AND YOU MUST carry your licence in France. It's not impossible to be arrested and taken to a place with a heavy door if you can't produce it there and then.

Hi all, thought I'd post this in this thread rather than create a new one...

Two questions:-

1) Regarding the GB sticker or Euro/GB reg. plates, as it's not necessary to have a GB sticker on the front, only the rear, if you're going down the sticker route, what's the situation regarding reg. plates? Ideally I'd keep my front reg. the same (i.e. without the EU logo / GB on it), and just have one of these on the back, as I currently have a reduced width plate on the front and a full width plate on the back (where having the EU logo / GB on it won't look out of place).

2) Is the spare bulb still a requirement?!? Can you even get a spare bulb kit for a GranTurismo or GranCabrio?!?

Cheers,
T

 

[drewf]

You don't need a GB indication on the front of the car at all. You need one on the back, either on the reg plate or a separate sticker/magnetic patch.

You do need a spare bulb kit - why do you think it's not still a requirement? I can't see the French ever removing that requirement... Read what I wrote though - the point of having the bulb kit is NOT to be able to fit it to the car there and then; any old kit will do, provided it is complete. There's no way I would change a lamp on a modern Maserati by the roadside, and no way any Gendarme will wait to watch it being done either.