Requirements for driving in France?

[MC71]

Am going to France in a couple of weeks with the car, is there a definitive list of what I legally need to take with me?

Have been told I HAVE to have the reflective vest in the front go the car.

Have to disable my speed camera detector on the sat nav

And have to carry a Breathalyser!  Why?


Oh, and what are the Gendarmerie like at enforcing these laws?

Cheers

 

[edd666999]

[pdf]http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/touring_tips/france-monaco.pdf[/pdf]

[MC71]

^^^^ as this is the French, where it says "deposits", sholud that read bribe? 

Still don't know why it's up to the driver to supply the Breathalyser?

 

[RedRobin]

^^^^ as this is the French, where it says "deposits", sholud that read bribe? 

Still don't know why it's up to the driver to supply the Breathalyser?

 

....Italy and Greece are the countries where bribes might sometimes be an escape from jail but don't risk it with the French!

The French speeding laws are draconian and enough not to want to visit France at all, which is a pity as it's such a beautiful country. It's just a shame about those Frenchies who are in authority. I wonder what modern France would be like if they hadn't guillotined the monarchy. I wouldn't even begin to attempt to understand why drivers are now supposed to carry breathalysers, especially if like me they don't drink any alcohol whatsoever.

The French:  (mad rather than stupid)

[RedRobin]

.
BTW, I read somewhere that you now have to carry a high-viz vest for every individual occupant in the car.

I always carry one in my car permanently anyway, but.

Oh, and I think you are also obliged by French law to stop at the scene of any accident you come across unless the emergency services are already in attendance. There's more threads on this forum if you try a Search.

[JPC]

Spare set of bulbs aswell too I think. Robin your right about high via for everyone in the car. Plus you need two hazard triangles not just one.

[RedRobin]

Plus you need two hazard triangles not just one.

....That at least makes good safety sense: One triangle ahead and one behind to alert/warn on two-way roads.

[Eccie]

I found out yesterday, trying to arrange car hire for france, that I need to supply my own breathalysers (2 No) everything else, High Vis jackets & triangles are supplied with the car

[MC71]

Bloody hell, this is getting expensive.

Just spoke to the AA, reply went something like this:-  

Both parts of driving Licence, all other relevant documents, ie V5 and MOT (must be original)
A sticker denoting what country you are from (does this refere to the car or the occupants  )
2 single use breathalysers (fine of €11 for not having 2),
4 jackets (must be all kept within reach of the occupants)
A least 1 triangle, (even the AA lady was not sure, def 2 for Spain she said)
Headlamp converter kit
spare bulbs,
a full first aid kit,
a fire extinguisher,
speed camera detectors must not be used (fine is upto €1500 if you have one, even not in use)

Oh and after you have been stopped, stripped searched, relieved of all your money, your car and all your possessions, they will still breatalise you with THIER own bloody machine.

I only want to go to Honfleur for 3 days!!    

[GTI-Pirelli]

RE: Gendarmerie

Went to Veynes in the Alps last summer (Awesome in the Pirelli) and saw 1 Gendarmerie car who looked as if he was asleep!

Be extremely careful on the way home. They are mentally hot on people who are late for their ferries trying to make the time up. Saw tens of cars sat at the side of the roads and service stations with speed guns! 
They will litterally hide in trees!

[Rhino]

also by law you have to carry 5 spare tyres incase of an emergency
 

[Jussa]

Bloody hell, this is getting expensive.

Just spoke to the AA, reply went something like this:-  

Both parts of driving Licence, all other relevant documents, ie V5 and MOT (must be original)
A sticker denoting what country you are from (does this refere to the car or the occupants  )
2 single use breathalysers (fine of €11 for not having 2),
4 jackets (must be all kept within reach of the occupants)
A least 1 triangle, (even the AA lady was not sure, def 2 for Spain she said)
Headlamp converter kit
spare bulbs,
a full first aid kit,
a fire extinguisher,
speed camera detectors must not be used (fine is upto €1500 if you have one, even not in use)

Oh and after you have been stopped, stripped searched, relieved of all your money, your car and all your possessions, they will still breatalise you with THIER own bloody machine.

I only want to go to Honfleur for 3 days!!    

I don't think the fire extinguisher is mandatory.

I was in Honfleur with the family for a week, 2 years ago.
Beautiful place, but if you intend on eating out everyday, especially with kids I'd plan on remortgaging 

[Bazgti]

A garlic necklace and a baguette sticking outa your ar*e.....

[MC71]

^^^^ memo to self:-  never eat a baguette at your house! 

[RedRobin]

^^^^ memo to self:-  never eat a baguette at your house! 

....