Norman Verona Posted June 6, 2012 Share Posted June 6, 2012 French law requires:Warning triangleYellow hi-viz jacket for the driver and anyone else who would want to leave the car at the roadside.Your driving licenceYour insurance docs (green card)The V5c (log book) (they think it's proof of ownership so may be an idea to have a company letter confirming your use of the car if it's not in your name)Although not a requirement it's best to carry the MOT cert. In France the MOT (Controle Technique) is displayed on the windscreen. They may demand to see a document if it's not displayed.From July 1st a single use Breathalyser kit (two recommended) (fines from November 1st) NOW CANCELLEDYou should have headlight converters fitted.If you don't have Euro style number plates with the ring of stars and GB on them you will need a GB sticker on the rear.It is recommended you have a bulb kit and a first aid kit.DO NOT have a device which warns of fixed camera sites or radar traps. The gendarme can confiscate the device or even your car if he feels like it.Carry 90 Euros cash for any on-the-spot fines you may incur. If you do nnot have cash they will escort you to a bank, if you cannot get the money they will confiscate your car until you can pay.DO NOT drive over 100 mph (160 kph). The fines for this can run into thousands and may also entail having the car confiscated.The speed limits are (unless signed otherwise):Towns and villages (marked by a white sign with red border with the town/village name on it) - 50 kph, 30 mph (the same sign with a diagonal line through the name indicates the end of the 50 kph limit)Non dual carriageway roads - 90 kph, 50 mphDual carriageways (non-motorway) 110 kph, 65 mph (reduced to 90 kph when raining)Motorways - 130 kph, 80 mph (reduced to 110 kph when raining)DO NOT drink and drive, the French limit is half that in the UK.At the moment the French cameras are not linked to the DVLA but it is reported that will be soon. (been hearing that for 5 years)If you are in trouble feel free to ring me on:UK mobile: 0044 (0) 75 39 22 77 88French mobile: 0033 (0) 7 70 70 23 79Home: 0033 (0)2 41 82 73 44email Norman@FrenchBlat.comMy experience is that the natives are very nice and helpful as long as you don't shout at them in English and make some effort to speak French. Gendarmes are the same, but they do not normally display a sense of humour - it's all business and collection of money. Make sure you get a receipt for any fines paid and take time to ensure you've been fined the correct amount. It's 90 Euros for most offences but, for example, it's only 30 Euros for not wearing seat belts.A little tale about Gendarmes. I was going to Angers in the Seven. I approached a roundabout and noticed a lorry parked in the lay by on the right exit of the r/about. I floored it from the r/about (dual carriageway) and 2 gendarmes stuck their long necks out to see who the nutter was. I saw them so slowed down as I was sure they would catch up with me. 21 miles later thay did, pulled me over and did me for doiung 71 in a 70 zone about 10 mile back. I did say they had no humour.After all that, have a nice holiday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norman Verona Posted June 6, 2012 Author Share Posted June 6, 2012 I've altered it but as you cannot leave the car at the roadside without one it seems a bit academic how many you need. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norman Verona Posted June 6, 2012 Author Share Posted June 6, 2012 Cheers mark - done Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirkyboy5 Posted June 7, 2012 Share Posted June 7, 2012 i dont want to go to France anymore Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norman Verona Posted June 7, 2012 Author Share Posted June 7, 2012 Don't blame you, you might just run into me! To be honest, I do hardly any of the above. My Audi has a triangle in the boot lid, but I don't have any hi-viz vests, no docs, no headlamp converters (and it passed a CT - MOT). I always exceed the speed limits on open roads but drive well under them through villages and towns. Anyway, on UK plates you don't have to worry about static cameras, for now at least. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blatman Posted June 8, 2012 Share Posted June 8, 2012 Green Cards have been discontinued. Your insurance certificate is what you need. Haven't had a green card since about 2005... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s2rrr Posted June 9, 2012 Share Posted June 9, 2012 My mate was sent one last week when he requested cover for the trip to France, maybe its variable with different insurance companies. Bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norman Verona Posted June 9, 2012 Author Share Posted June 9, 2012 Blatters, In France you get a sheet of green paper which has a serrated piece with the reg. number and the period insured which is displayed on the windscreen. I'm aware that UK insurers no longer issue an actual green paper but, as I understand it, you must inform them of the period of the trip. Would I be right in thinking that most policies have an annual limit on foreign use and a maximum time for a single trip. If this is the case how do foreign police verify the car is insured. The MID will show the car is insured but, in theory, if the owner hasn't advised the insurer of the trip it may not be insured. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Stanton Posted June 9, 2012 Share Posted June 9, 2012 Some insurers issue a "cover note" style of paperwork highlighting your time overseas and others don't bother - but you MUST notify your insurance company each time you travel over the channel as its an easy cop out for them if you need to claim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norman Verona Posted June 9, 2012 Author Share Posted June 9, 2012 So, we have a situation where your car will show up as insured when it isn't. Magnifique, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob iles Posted June 9, 2012 Share Posted June 9, 2012 Does anyone know if the light deflectors will fit on the small m + p lights..? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Stanton Posted June 9, 2012 Share Posted June 9, 2012 Some beam dflectors can be quite big for the M&P units - some alternatives could be either to adjust them and angle them so as to minimise glare for oncoming drivers or get some black electrical tape and use that to mask the beam glare or cut your beam deflectors down to a smaller size as most are softish plastic/rubber material Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blatman Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 Blatters, In France you get a sheet of green paper which has a serrated piece with the reg. number and the period insured which is displayed on the windscreen. I'm aware that UK insurers no longer issue an actual green paper but, as I understand it, you must inform them of the period of the trip. Would I be right in thinking that most policies have an annual limit on foreign use and a maximum time for a single trip. If this is the case how do foreign police verify the car is insured. The MID will show the car is insured but, in theory, if the owner hasn't advised the insurer of the trip it may not be insured. Dave Spragg as MSM told me several years ago that Green Cards were no longer required and that he had stopped issuing them. Just notify your insurers as Mark says. I've been to france 3 times since the cessation of green cards on Dave's insurance. I just told him about the trip and that was that. Going to call my insurers for the Focus today and let them know. T's & C;'s on the Focus insurance say the limit is 90 days for a single trip. Cover is minimum legal requirement in the EU. This can be extened fo full cover in exchange for forking out more cash. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norman Verona Posted June 10, 2012 Author Share Posted June 10, 2012 Blatters, I know that, However I suggest you take proof of insurance. The point is that you can be insured but fail to inform your insurer of your trip in which case they may well reject any claim. In France my insurance "green card" shows I'm insured in all the major EU countries and do not have to inform anyone of leaving France. I well remember the cessation of green cards but why cant UK insurers just keep it simple and extend cover to all EU countries without notification. I can accept there may be time limits on this cover to avoid me insuring a vehicle permanently kept in France. Why I would want to do that with cover much cheaper in France I wouldn't know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blatman Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 Just spoken to my insurers (Privilege). If you are going abroad and DO NOT want to extend your UK coverage to the EU, a green card is not required and you do not need to inform your insurers. You are automatically insured up to the legal MINIMUM for whichever EU country you are. Your policy documents will tell you what they are and you must take your insurance certificate with you. If you want to extend your UK coverage to to the EU, there is an extra premium to pay and a Green Card is issued. FWIW, Privilege rushed me 21 quid to extend my fully comp UK insurance to France for the Le Mans trip. For the first time ever, I took up the option. The Green Card won't reach me in time but I have been given the Green Card serial number which, along with my insurance certificate, is all I need. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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