Driving in Europe - Requirements

[Sanjøy]

A sticker stating you are not a Roast Bœuf would go a long long way.

[Fluoxetine]

I've been thinking about this myself recently (got the Geordie express booked for August).

AA Website is pretty good - Few other basic things worth thinking about are:

Rain X the windscreen prior to leaving, and take a bottle with you - If the wipers pack in, it's not a show stopper
Paper map - Handy if the sat nav packs up
Dual USB 9v charger - One of those that plugs into the cig lighter, and you can charge all manner of things from

[Stewart]

Have just skimmed the thread so may have been mentioned. Take your spare set of keys and either swap them with someone else on the trip or give them to your traveling companion. I have seen two incidents on French Frolics where this would have saved a lot of grief.

[Sparky]

Just back from France and I took the following....

Compulsory to carry:
Registration Document (took a photocopy)
Insurance Document (took a photocopy)
GB Sticker (went for Euro plate stickers instead)
Warning Triangle (nope)
Reflective Jacket/Waistcoat (nope)
Headlamp Adjustment (Yes)
First Aid Kit (nope)

Recommended to carry:
Fire Extinguisher (In the car when I bought it)

Some of the cars in France are absolute wreaks so I’m surprised they carry this amount of stuff around in them.

No problems with the coppers – actively told to “floor it” when going through the toll road payment bit when you get loads of space before getting back onto the motorway. Would recommend a map as my sat nav packed in on the 2011 Euro trip to France but was lucky enough to get a map from a garage and plan from there to get home.

Enjoy the drive – taking the Exige around Nice and Monaco was great fun.

[Ferg]

Great stuff guys and thanks for the offers of kit.

Ecosse stickers will be made this weekend. (Do you still require a GB one aswell?)

Good shout on the photocopies and I'd already planned to take spare keys, but the 'key buddy' idea is excellent.

[Ferg]

Had a moderate panic this morning after my wife made a throw away comment that I hadn't used my passport in years, "You better check it's still in date!?". First thought was "oh bollocks". Thankfully, and by pure luck I've got about 8 months left on it. phew.

Another thought sprung to mind on the 'what to take' front. Does anyone take fuel on longer trips like this, or the capability to carry fuel?

[j2 lot]

Does anyone take fuel on longer trips like this, or the capability to carry fuel?

Probably not permitted on ferrys/ tunnel

[Dominic]

Great stuff guys and thanks for the offers of kit.

Ecosse stickers will be made this weekend. (Do you still require a GB one aswell?)

Good shout on the photocopies and I'd already planned to take spare keys, but the 'key buddy' idea is excellent.

As far as I know, "Ecosse" is an okay substitute for "GB". ... have also heard you need neither if you have the "GB" in the blue flag on your number plate.

[graeme]

Ecosse sticker isn't a legal substitute for GB.

Most GB stickers are ok (white background, EU flag, number plate etc).

Ecosse sticker is not technically officially recognised; you still need a GB sticker if you're sticking (ha ha) to the letter of the law. Whether Jean-Pierre Gendarme would actually give a Gallic toss, I seriously doubt.

I think we flew both GB and Ecosse last time we went to France only. Outside France, the Ecosse sticker just causes confusion. Saltires are more useful for pointing at. Don't forget to practice your disgusted face for when people ask, "Eeengleeesh?"

[Sparky]

... have also heard you need neither if you have the "GB" in the blue flag on your number plate.

Have been told the same thing and went for the number plate option also - no hassle in France.

[Andy G]

in 2008 i didnt even have a reg plate on the Atom and the rozzers didnt spot it!

Yup - no trip in to france which means the fuzz will be less harsh.

actually have to think of a better way to attach my rear plate - Uncle Ron saved it on Frolic last year....just.

[neil]

I've never bothered with GB or Ecosse stickers and never had a problem. Got stopped in France in frolic in 2010 and they didn't mention it - the 159kph was mentioned however.... Lack of rear plate getting on the ferry did get me 20 questions though after it fell off somewhere on a spa trip

[tut]

Calais is in France........

tut

[GregR]

Check your driving licence too, the nice lady at KH warned me mine was about to expire so had a wee panic Id get a new one in time. All returned within seven days .. and not an endorsement in sight