alcazar

iTrader: (2)

OK, you've got the basics . You now need to think about what's IN it too:
Warning triangle,
Spare bulb kit,
Your license,
The car's logbook/V5

These last two MUST be carried at ALL times in the vehicle.

You're also supposed to carry your passport with you at all times too.

As far as Optimax is concerned, it's available over there, as is 98 RON at almost every garage....even little tiny ones at local supermarkets, where it's about €0.95 / litre, or about 66p
On the motorway it's nearer €1.10.

So what part of France?
Alcazar

Edited to say: Take NO notice of those anti-France posts above. It's a LOVELY country, the people are great, the food is fantastic, the booze is ultra cheap, fuel is cheap, the roads are ace for driving, and the Scoob will get LOADS of the right kind of attention. Go for it.
Have a look at www.mappy.com for routes.
If you're off anywhere I know well, I'll e-mail you some tips, if that's OK??
Alcazar

[Edited by alcazar - 7/1/2003 3:54:37 PM]

Shropshire-Guy

Taking scoob to france in 3 weeks time. What do i need on my car legaly to drive in France.

GB sticker

Warning Triangle.

First Aid Kit.

Headlamp stickers.


Is there anything else i need??.

Any other tips any off you can give me please ? . Besides i know having to drive on other side off road. Lol. What about Optimax??.

Any help would be gratfully recieved.

Steve

red_dog104

Don't go. France stinks!!!

Sorry not really very helpful!

rik1471

Don't.

sexy wrx69

damn it....2 people beat me to it.

ChrisB

98 Ron Super is available at most petrol stations. Even small village stations in the middle of nowhere seem to have SUL. Might be worth packing a bottle of Octane Booster or two for emergencies if high RON fuel is important.

The AA list the essential/legal requirements.

[Edited by ChrisB - 7/1/2003 3:52:32 PM]

Shropshire-Guy

Aint got a lot of choice im afraid. By order off she who must be obeyed and 10 old understudy.lol

Badger Stuffer

Make sure that you take your licence and insurance as it is an offense to not carry it in France.

Shropshire-Guy

Its a long story but daughters dancing at Disney land. So first week Euro disney the second week just go in any direction of steering wheel

Shropshire-Guy

What about car crime in France ? is it as bad as over here ??.

Thanks Alcazar for your offer

TBMeech

Alcazar is totally right, don't listen to the anti french brigade.

Took my scoob last year for a week in France, did a lot of driving, the roads are absolutely stunning, I was getting waved at by loads of headers in Renaults, Citroens etc was quality

I was worried about car crime too, tbh, as long as you're careful nothing will happen, mine spent a night in a public car park in a grotty part of Cherbourg, whilst I was away drinking beer and enjoying muchos seafood, came out of the hotel in the morning and the car was absolutely fine.

Shropshire-Guy

This looks like it could be loads off fun. Many thanks for replys up to yet.

Holy Ghost

one last thing: fire extinguisher. also required by law and if you get stopped, as a foreign driver, they'll razz you to make sure you have the lot. if not, they'll spot fine you cash.

- warning triangle (two required if you go across to spain)
- spare bulb kit (you can buy them on the ferry for £10)
- first aid kit
- fire extinguisher (cheaps as chips from homebase)
- V5
- driving licence
- insurance certificate
- logbook
- GB sticker
- beam benders

by the way, le mans was last month ;-)

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

I think they have car crime like we do, but not quite as prevalent.
I HAVE heard of people flagging foreign drivers on the motorways, then robbing them, so don't stop for anyone unless you have to.
I've also heard of folk having their cars broken into on motorway services at night, or hotel carparks in Calais etc at night. Common sense, and precautions are the order of the day!

On another note, DON'T take a radar detector, they are illegal over there, and can land you with a heavy fine, just for having it in the car!

Speeding: be a bit careful.......heavy fines on the spot. If you get folk coming towards you flashing their lights, keep to ALL limits for the next 10 miles or so.

Watch it on motorways, limit is normally 130kph, but this AUTOMATICALLY drops to 110 in time of rain etc, and is enforced. The limits change as you come off motorways too, and they can target these areas. Fave spots for traps are on service areas, aires, and where the limit changes from 130 to 110, eg:when motorway goes through a town. You don't know you're got until you reach the next peage, then they nip out and fine you!!

From Paris? You could reach either the Champagne region, or Burgundy, both lovely, with wine, food and excellent coutryside.
Both are within an easy day of Calais, too.

Alcazar

msp1

Think everyones said everything that needs to be said. I came back 3 weeks ago, driving in France was fantastic. Toll roads can be paid for by credit card, faster than our coin bins. Didn't see any Gendarmes on the roads until I was late for the ferry, a mile outside Cherbourge and there they were in waiting (obvious really). Guy jumped out of a white van and pulled me over to the side of the road. Caught doing 142 in a 90, took my license details and then escorted me the the nearest cashpoint so I could relieve myself of 135 Euro. Being France I still have a nice clean driving license The moral of the story is don't speed and get caught

Mike

Shropshire-Guy

Once again scoobynet gives me the answers. Thank you very much all of you for your contributions.

Steve

RESSE

iTrader: (1)

Hi Steve - how are you?

I go to my parents place in Grenoble each year and it is a great drive.

I know it not required but I always get a "Green Card" from my insurers - in case of an accident you can wave this at a Gendarme and he will know you have all the insurance cover you need.

PS Get the AA Get You Home Service - just in case.

PPS It maybe a French law (not 100% sure, even though I have driven in France for 15 years), that if the driver needs to wear glasses he/she must have a spare pair in the car.

Richard

blueE9

I've driven/ridden several times to Chamonix and it's always been super quick and good roads. the speed limit doesn't really seem to be enforced much except on the last runs to the boat/train where the police often decide to bung a few quid into the French state coffers by nicking Brits. The only thing i've noticed is that the french tailgate like *******s and it's easy to get wound up by it when in fact it just seems to be the way they drive as they do it to each other too and noone seems to mind.

Speak any French Steve? It does help a lot, and makes the police and everyone else about 10* as helpful.

davyboy

I wonder where the anti french go on Holiday?

Claudius

French dont tailgate, they just want to get past you slow tourists!

It is illegal to drive on the left lane unless you are overtaking someone. When overtaking, you have to go at least 20 km/h faster than the car you are overtaking. It is illegal for lorries to overtake when there are only 2 lanes, but they do it anyway, so watch out when travelling fast. Lorries are not allowed to drive on French highways between Saturday night at 10 pm and Sunday night at 10 pm or something like that, so Sunday is the day to drive on the highway there. Good luck paying for the toll if you're alone in the car! LOL

I know no one with a fire extinguisher in their car here AFAIAA it is only mandatory for competition, not for the road.

blueE9

I have learned to master the long distance throwing of change through the passenger window into the bucket. Steve you could practice this st your place of work by lobbing 10 p's over your left shoulder into a waste bin 10 feet away!

Claudius

LOL!

What if you dont carry change or cant be bothered and want to use your CC?

blueE9

Hitting the credit card slot at long distance is only for the Zen masters of continental travel. For this the humble novice must carry a wife instead.

Claudius

Not sure the added weight and fuel consumption would be offset there
Try and put the card in a magazine instead, slightly sticking out at the end, and hold that towards the guy (the 2 cabins on the right hand side where there is an actual (more or less) human being in there

Shropshire-Guy

How u doing Richard. Hope you are ok . After reading other posts on here i think im in 4 some fun ever thou the wife will keep me in check speedwise.

ANYONE GOT ANY SLEEPING PILLS FOR WIFE AND 10 OLD DAUGHTER TO AVOID NAGGING ON TRIP.LOL

Only joking

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

You can actually buy a device that grips the credit cards, then, when you squeeze the two handles together, it extends to about 1.5m. I've seen people use 'em.
Works well, but where to get one? For reaching stuff off shelves?
Alcazar

Chip

I too went to Disney then had a week elsewhere.We travelled down to the Vendee via Le Mans which is a 5 hr trip but worth when it get to the Vendee which is superb.

I can never understand why peope are always quick to slag off the French. I have been to France on about 40 occasions and never had any trouble of hassle from the people there.


I agree when it comes to politics that they do look after themselves and feel its a pity that as a country we dont do the same instead of giving in to all and sundry.That way things may be better here.

Have found France a lot cleaner than the UK as well.

Enjoy your holiday.

Chip.