Latest posts for the topic "European driving"

European driving

Sat, 27 Dec 2008 12:50:04 GMT

Hi all, hope you have all had a lovely christmas.

Just wondering if any of you have driven through europe to your skiing destinations. We're driving to France at the end of January to La Plagna. I've been told that to drive in Europe I need the following otherwise I could get fined:
1. A accident triangle
2. Hi Viz jackets
3. A GB sticker on the number plate or back of the car.
4. Things for the car headlights to stope them dazzling other people as we will be on the other side of the road.

Is this correct, especially the GB sticker, I've seen other cars some older and some newer than mine that have the symbol on the number plate and some that don't. If so where would be the best place to get it all from.

Many thanks

Ian

Re:European driving

Sat, 27 Dec 2008 13:05:37 GMT

Hi Ian

Yes thanks, and all of those things and more! The AA has a fairly useful summary.

http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/overseas/general_advice.html

If your car has the EU symbol in the number plate, technically you don't need a GB sticker.

Don't forget to buy breakdown cover, and buy/beg/borrow some snowchains, just in case.

Remember to keep the Hi-vis jackets in the car (not in the boot) and close to hand.

I use Duct Tape for the headlamp deflectors :mrgreen:

I get all of my "bits" from Halfords in the UK.

Just try to remember that France has numerous speed cameras, and also radar traffic police too, and they will physically collect the cash from you when you stop at the next peage )

Re:European driving

Sat, 27 Dec 2008 13:19:03 GMT

Hi thanks.
how do you use the duck tape?

Are they very strict over there then?

Re:European driving

Sat, 27 Dec 2008 13:30:14 GMT

iannikkei wrote:Hi thanks.
how do you use the duck tape?

Are they very strict over there then?

Just cut the tape into a shape that matches a beam deflector for your headlamp. This is not likely to be a good solution if you have headlamp wipers.

The police presence seems to be a little more prominent each winter. If you get stopped, be very, very polite, or they are certain to find summat not to their liking )

The land of the instant fine!

Mostly, driving on French Autoroutes is bliss after the UK.

Re:European driving

Sat, 27 Dec 2008 14:04:10 GMT

Oh i see,
another question, who do you get your breakdown cover with, and what sort of price, best I have found is AA for GBP41. is this reasonable or not?

Re:European driving

Sat, 27 Dec 2008 15:25:31 GMT

I get my cover through my UK breakdown insurer Britannia. I was able to add the cover on to my existing policy, so it won't be a like for like cost. The AA have a quite a good reputation, and peace of mind could be worthwhile.

Re:European driving

Sat, 27 Dec 2008 15:59:38 GMT

You should put a GB sticker on but you find many Europeans don't bother.

Years ago we used to book the ferry through the AA and they included the breakdown cover, it used to be a good deal but it may have changed.