Driving in France

Dale · Post by **Dale** » Mon Jan 17, 2005 3:23 pm

I am taking my better half to france for the valentines weekend and have been looking into the legalities of driving over there and came across a website telling me about carrying a warning triangle along with spare bulbs.

It also said about how our headlights over here point in the wrong direction for mainland europe and that they would need to be adjusted.

Is it true that I can buy something to go over the headlights to do this? And would anyone know where I can get them?

Also if anyone knows of any other issues about driving a UK spec car over there I would really like to hear them.

Robby_bobby_boo · Post by **Robby_bobby_boo** » Mon Jan 17, 2005 6:02 pm

Hi
Driving in France with a peugeot should be a breeze, after all if it goes wrong everybody and their dog drives one so getting it repaired will be simple just make sure that you take you main ignition key and the management credit card thing in case they need to do any electrical work.

You do need to change the beam pattern of your headlights as you will be blinding other motorists if you dont and that is illegal / dangerous. You do this by buying "beam delectors" from Halfords or a motoring shop, there are different ones for different cars and they have instructions on them about usage.
Dont be fooled into using black tape as it doesnt have the reflective backing on it and the light that comes out of your headlights will be severly reduced.
You can paint you headlights yellow if you want everyone to know your Johnny english but this is no longer a legal requirement.

You do by law have to have a warning triangle, again from Halfords.

You do need to have a suitable set of spare bulbs for your car, both coz its the right thing to do and also coz its illegal over there not to.

You would be well advised to carry a petrol can as well but this is only required in spain, you might want to carry a fire extinguisher as well but again it is not required in france.

Fines for not having any required items are on the spot fines mainly and you have to pay cash! so spend the money now and have a safer trip without any fines!

Speeding fines are also in cash and they have timing beams on long stretches of their motorways to check your average journey time over a given distance! If you dont pay the fine you go to jail and your car is impounded!
Think about any other consumables you may need, antifreeze mix, screenwash, oil etc only you can decide how much or little to take, remember you will be driving on the wrong side of the road so think about your mirrors and what your going to do when you come to a roundabout the first time!

If your going skiing then take snow chains for your front wheels and practice putting them on before you get there!

Have a nice trip and hope this helps, if I have missed anything you have my apologies

Robby_bobby_boo · Post by **Robby_bobby_boo** » Mon Jan 17, 2005 6:06 pm

Whoopps almost forgot.... if you are driving over there for the valentines weekend.... take your own lubricants -- and hope that your better half isnt considering using a beam deflector!!

WebCode · Post by **WebCode** » Mon Jan 17, 2005 7:05 pm

And DO NOT take any radar/Laser detectors with you.. Big Fine and confiscation!!!!

Nicck · Post by **Nicck** » Tue Jan 18, 2005 6:06 pm

I've got a set of spare bulbs that I bought to go over to France a few years ago. No use to me anymore so you can have them if you like?

Dale · Post by **Dale** » Wed Jan 19, 2005 2:02 pm

Thanks for the offer Nick, but one of the benefits of having a mechanic for a father is the free stuff, like engine oil and bulbs etc, we have them coming out of our ears.

Thanks to everyone for you input, especially the radar detector one, coz i was going to borrow one to stop myself getting stopped. guess now I'll just drive normally.