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Joined: Feb 27, 2006 Posts: 14918 Location: Keynsham
Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2007 10:56 pm Post subject:
Noobiest wrote:
Dipped headlamps?
Please explain.
Where do I find a Gb sticker?
Extra bulbs? For my turn signals?
Headlamps (Headlights) are the main front lights, which you can change from "UP" - shining straight ahead and level for greatest distance vision, to "DOWN" (dipped) to shine ahead, but slightly downwards, so they don't blind anybody driving towards you. As mentioned above, in the UK, the function is set to shine not just downwards, but also slightly left, in this country that's towards the sidewalk, not towards other drivers side of the road. In that mode, the down and left "DIP" would shine into the eyes of oncoming traffic in countries where they drive on the "wrong" (right ) side of the road. When we take our cars to right side drive countries (the whole of Europe), we need to correct that problem by fitting "converters" (often, just a strip of blanking material to block part of the leftward shine)
GB Sticker from probably any car accessories shop. If you're going in a rented car, get the rental company to put one on (then they can't accuse you of damaging it)
Extra bulbs - supposedly one spare of each type needed to make the car roadworthy. If you were to buy Continental Breakdown insurance from the AA or RAC, they would sell/loan you such a set appropriate for the car you will be driving. On reflection, they'd possibly provide a Continental kit with a lot of the items already mentioned above.
Don't get too paranoid about all this - I took a triangle and a first aid kit and that's all (I already have and carry a reflective jacket for my work). I avoided driving in the dark! _________________ Dennis
You don't need a GB sticker if the number plates have a blue band at the left edge with GB in white on it.
If you must have one you will probably find one in the docs that come with your travel insurance or your ferry tickets - each with the seller's name prominently displayed on it!!
Otherwise you can buy it (and headlamp deflectors) in Halfords stores and other motorist shops. _________________ TTGO 700 (dead)
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Joined: Feb 01, 2006 Posts: 2543 Location: Rainham, Kent. England.
Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2007 11:52 pm Post subject:
Quote:
Where do I find a Gb sticker?
As has been said, you'll probably get a GB sticker with your booking and almost certainly when you apply for the 'Green Card' car insurance.
If your number plate doesn't have the GB to the left of the numbers, then you will need the GB sticker. It's best to stick it on the left hand side of the car, preferably in the rear window, as it will be in the line of sight to those driving left hand drive vehicles.
Quote:
Extra bulbs? For my turn signals?
Yes, a full set, if you are stopped because one of your lights is 'out' and can't replace it, you can, and probably will be fined.
One thing hasn't been mentioned, avoid the Paris Périphérique, an absolute nightmare. If you do happen to find yourself driving along it, try to spot a car without at least one panel having a large dent. :P
There's a whole load of stuff to take in and it may appear a bit daunting but you will probably have an uneventful journey and everything will be fine. I guarantee you will enjoy driving on the French roads.
The worst part of the whole journey will probably be when you arrive back in England and drive on the M20.
Joined: 11/07/2002 14:36:40 Posts: 23848 Location: Hampshire, UK
Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2007 7:17 am Post subject:
Noobiest wrote:
Dipped headlamps?
Please explain.
You have a High Beam and a dipped beam setting for your headlamps. For UK i.e. Right Hand Drive vehicles, when dipped they 'dip' to the left towards the kerb.
Driving on the continent this means they dip into the face of oncoming traffic and so need to have their dipped beam 'deflected' using small adhesive lenses that attach to the outside of the headlamp.
Quote:
Where do I find a Gb sticker?
Most Auto Accessory shops such as Halfords. But if your number plates already have the blue strip with the EU flag an 'GB' on the left then the sticker is not required.
The beam deflectors can also be bought from Halfords, they are a legal requirement even if only driving during the day.
Quote:
Extra bulbs? For my turn signals?
Yes and for your headlamps, again a small pack with all necessary spares can be bought from Halfords. _________________ Darren Griffin
Joined: Feb 01, 2006 Posts: 2543 Location: Rainham, Kent. England.
Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2007 9:40 pm Post subject:
Are you going by ferry or through the tunnel? If it's Eurotunnel you may find you'd get a better deal from them for personal and breakdown cover and cheaper than anywhere else. On their site it quotes for up to 14 days but for longer periods you would have to contact them. Even if you aren't going by train it would still be worth seeing what they have to offer for your next trip
Joined: Feb 27, 2006 Posts: 14918 Location: Keynsham
Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2007 10:29 pm Post subject:
Noobiest wrote:
In light of this startling revelation, can someone please play "worst case scenario" with me?
Your car breaks down or gets badly broken in an accident. Even if you and your family are uninjured, your car is a write-off and has to be dumped wherever you are. You'll get charged import duty and VAT and any other nice local taxes by the country you dump it in. You lose the deposit the rental company charged to let you take it abroad. It costs you the original price of the holiday to get home to UK.
On a lighter note, your baggage will get lost and/or stolen, your wife and daughter kidnapped for ransom or a fate worse than death - you will need two whole herds of camels to pay the ransom. The beer will be warm!
At the very least, get "Green Card insurance cover" for the vehicle insurance policy. _________________ Dennis
In light of this startling revelation, can someone please play "worst case scenario" with me?
Your car breaks down or gets badly broken in an accident. Even if you and your family are uninjured, your car is a write-off and has to be dumped wherever you are. You'll get charged import duty and VAT and any other nice local taxes by the country you dump it in. You lose the deposit the rental company charged to let you take it abroad. It costs you the original price of the holiday to get home to UK.
On a lighter note, your baggage will get lost and/or stolen, your wife and daughter kidnapped for ransom or a fate worse than death - you will need two whole herds of camels to pay the ransom. The beer will be warm!
At the very least, get "Green Card insurance cover" for the vehicle insurance policy.
You are not allowed to play anymore!
We are driving our own car , and I am wondering what happens if I do need to abandon the car? Its an L reg accord, little value really.
Also, what the heck is a Green Card, as well as Green card Insurance? _________________ TomTom One v2 Western Europe
The menu to the left on the web site gives you tips and rules for other countries.
There is some good advice at the bottom of the menu in General Tips/Staying Safe.
Children under 10 are not allowed in the front. In the rear they must use a proper restraint system appropriate to their weight, which means a child seat if they weigh between 9 and 15 kg. Over this weight they can use seat belts with a booster cushion.
Study the rules for priorities when entering and exiting roads, roundabouts, junctions etc; if in doubt give priority to the right.
One law you must be aware of is priorité à droite. This gives the right of way to motorists turning onto the road you are on, and in the direction you are travelling, from the right. The exceptions are if the junction is marked by a stop sign, traffic light or solid white line, as well as roundabouts, where cars to your left have the right-of-way. Pay particular attention in rural areas, where traffic on minor road may have right-of-way when joining a main road.
Always come to a complete Stop at STOP signs. It is illegal not to, even if you cannot see any traffic on the approach.
Lights flashing on a motorway means 'I’m coming through'; it’s best just to quietly move over and don’t let your ego get the better of you.
Lights flashing on a country road may mean there’s a police check ahead (it's illegal to flash these warnings but most French seem to do it anyway)
It is illegal to drive with on side (parking) lights at any time, and you must use your headlamps when visibility is low.
When raining, the official speed limit is reduced by 10 km/h.
There are now moves afoot to make it compulsory to drive with your headlamps on all the time, including in bright, sunny weather, i'm not sure if this is there at present.
It is illegal to talk on a mobile phone while driving, even with a hands-free headset
Fire extinguishers are recommended but not a legal requirement, but I have added it in the boot along with a First Aid kit, as they are cheap and take up little space - just incase.
I would suggest that you don't hurry and not forget which side of the road you are driving on, after many years of European driving i still have to register my first mental note in the morning, that you drive on the opposite side, it is easy to forget. _________________ TomTom Go 60
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If you are a UK resident with UK motor insurance, I would forget the AA etc. Ask your current insurer to extend their cover for Europe - and to include recovery and travel insurance. I did this with Norwich Union and I got the whole lot, including UK 12 months breakdown cover for £75. I haven't got the docs in front of me but I think the limit is 90 days per year out of UK.
If you do this with NU you effectively get RAC cover.
The only extra is medical cover. Try Mondial, Europassist etc. but your motor insurer may be able do add this too. _________________ TTGO 700 (dead)
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) side of the road. When we take our cars to right side drive countries (the whole of Europe), we need to correct that problem by fitting "converters" (often, just a strip of blanking material to block part of the leftward shine)
