Abroad for the first time tomorrow...What do I need to do?

[jamespconnor]

Might seem like a silly question but I've just realised that I'm driving my DB9 onto the Chunnel tomorrow with hardly any preparation at all except for washer fluid, tyre pressure checks and fuel. I suddenly feel wildly unprepared... Is there anything I need to do to comply with driving law over on the continent? Do my HIDs need altering? I have to buy a hi vis jacket I know but how many and where do I need to keep them in the car?

Would appreciate some quick replies!

Thanks!!

James

[X7LDA]

Only things you need are headlight converters (beam pattern needs to be changed for driving on the 'wrong' side of the road) and a GB sticker for the back of your car, unless your number plate already says GB on it.

Apart from that I think you sound good!

[bogie]

if you get stopped you need the hi vis jacket, triangle (should already be there) first aid kit and bulb kit

..otherwise its a fine from mr friendly french copper

[jamespconnor]

I can't remember there being a reflective triangle in the car already, is it hidden somewhere? It's an MY05 DB9

[Wombat3]

For France:

Hi vis vest must be in the car - one for each occupant I think.
Warning traingle
Beam deflectors fitted unless you've got clever headlamps that will alter themselves
Make sure your sat nav doesn't have any speed camera stuff in it

[silverspeed]

jamespconnor said:

I can't remember there being a reflective triangle in the car already, is it hidden somewhere? It's an MY05 DB9

Under the boot lid if I remember correctly. The hi viz etc can be purchased at the Eurotunnel shopping complex. Enjoy the trip

[brakedwell]

You can buy Eurolite beam deflectors in the terminal at Folkestone. They will take about 5 minutes to fit.

[jonby]

Complete List of European requirements:

For a UK registered car, one hi vis in body of the car is fine to cover the legal aspect but in some countries only people who put one on can get out on certain roads eg motorway. Some countries require two by law for local cars but not foreigners
Most modern AMs have a bulb kit already - check you know where it is
My warning triangle is fitted just inside the rear lip of the boot as standard by AM - again make sure you know where it is
Some European countries require you to carry a spare pair of glasses in the car if you wear prescription glasses for driving - France don't but for instance Spain does
The new rule on carrying a disposable 0.05% alcohol breathalyser in France (technically you need 2) doesn't come in til March
Remember headlight conversion only is necessary if you will be driving at night - I've never bothered and driven at night for short journeys
Bumper stickers if not part of your plate, showing GB, are not something I've ever seen people stopped for but technically of course you should have 'em

Paperwork: You need to carry insurance docs & both parts of your driving licence. You also need your V5 (logbook). You also need European breakdown cover by law but I've never been asked to prove it

Camera devices are a little grey - you definitely can't have or use a radar detector. GPS locator ones are dodgy too. Where you have a Sat Nav unit that has camera locations, whether you will actually have a gendarme checking your unit is debatable and the bigger worry is if you slow down for a hidden camera, you are effectively letting them know you have such a device. This is an area I'll bow to the knowledge of others on here about as I've been stopped several times with a GPS device mounted on the windscreen, fined for speeding, but nothing said about the GPS unit however I know it's a hot topic

FInally, carry a few hundred euros in cash because if you do get fined, they will march you to a cash machine if you can't pay on the spot so carrying cash saves a lot of hassle. And of course carry change for the tolls

Have fun !

[jonby]

Sorry - forgot first aid kit of course !

[Oilchange]

inform your breakdown company and your credit card company, stuff they always thank me for or I end up with texts to contact them

also, keep the high viz vest by your seat so you can put it on before you get out

[David W.]

I always have a look at
http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/overseas/inde...

as a reminder.

[Jockman]

Get a hivis for everyone - they are pennies.

EHIC card for everyone ??

Clean underwear ?? Any underwear ??

French police also prefer (if stopped) that you have some cloves of garlic around your neck, and are sporting a beret. All occupants - including the wife - should also be suitably attired with a false moustache. Trying to speak a bit of franglais is welcomed by la police, and the Allo Allo accent should receive a warm welcome.

If you cross the border into Spain, it is now customary to be unemployed, and to paint all your money black. When in Northern Spain, feign ignorance of any other part of the country, whilst simutaneously spitting on the ground.

Bonnes Vacances

[bogie]

triangle is under boot lip on a Vantage

never bothered doing headlights on any car, and have spent months driving abroad in last 10 years ...although only occasionally at night

[Neil1300R]

everything jonby says +
demand to be put on lower deck of the train, although they usually will make sure they put cars like Aarons on the lower deck.
put wing mirrors in on train as you go past the stairs / toilets.
don't get caught!
drive really really fast, it one of the reasons to go to the continent.
don't excessively speed on motorways, get on the back routes, and don't speed within 30 miles of the channel ports
don't sit in the outside lane, the frogs generally overtake then pull straight back into the inside lane
final and most important:
enjoy!!!

[mikey k]

X7LDA said:

Only things you need are headlight converters (beam pattern needs to be changed for driving on the 'wrong' side of the road) and a GB sticker for the back of your car, unless your number plate already says GB on it.

Apart from that I think you sound good!

I would advise against these.
The fist owner of my first vantage used them and managed to delaminate the headlamp taking them off.
I don't bother but you can switch over yourself from the back of the head light.
Have a look at the AA web site for travel advise as it varies from country to country and there have been a few changes recently.

[George H]

Neil1300R said:

demand to be put on lower deck of the train, although they usually will make sure they put cars like Aarons on the lower deck.

Who's Aaron? What car does he drive?

[jamespconnor]

Thanks for all the messages! I bought an "Urban Planet" continental driving kit from Maidstone services while I stopped for the other half's (mandatory) toilet break :-P - £20 and had everything, 2x hi-vis, first aid kit, beam deflectors, torch, GB sticker and triangle. It was cheaper than separate 2xhi vis and a first aid kit so might have duplicates now.

Trains just started moving. And they put me on the bottom deck!

Cheers,

[Neil1300R]

George H said:

Who's Aaron? What car does he drive?

bloody auto correct on the Touchpad

[David W.]

And remember that they don't mind flash cars but they DO hate flash photography in the carriages (as I know to my embarrassment whilst taking a pic of a row of 911s )

edit spelling (roe/row, thanks)

Edited by David W. on Sunday 12th February 13:33

[BingoBob]

I always wondered how 911s bred.