Advanced driving tuition in France

[nakedninja]

We're going to be moving to France (Occitanie) next year and I wondered what the options are for a bit of driving tuition. I'm not looking for circuit training, but something of a refresher and advanced stuff, RoSPA or IAM level. I figure it couldn't hurt as I haven't done loads of driving on the right. Are there any insurance linked schemes that could save us money?

[rdjohn]

Of all the things that you will need to worry about when moving to France, driving will be comparatively a minor one.

Being aware of what is going on around you is the most important issue. Paying due care.and generally using mirrors is not a strong point of many French drivers in rural areas and then you have a good number of regular road users who literally do not have a driving license. Priority to vehicles entering from the right in towns is perhaps the hardest single issue to grasp.

Buying a LHD car makes the most sense, after driving it for a couple of days, most things will fall into place in your mind. If you fancy a bit of research then -

https://www.frenchlicense.eu/produit/highway-code-...

[smifffymoto]

Agree with all the above.Get to know junction etiquette,in towns it’s easy,in the sticks damn near a guessing game.

[Fatt McMissile]

Drivers following too closely are not being aggressive as would be the case in the UK . They simply drive too close. If you slow down to let them pass they'll wonder what the catch is
They're not good at road position on roundabouts in some towns/cities, so don't make assumptions based on it.
Generally I find them very considerate on motorways and dual carriageways.
I've never heard of anyone preferring to drive in the UK rather than France. I may do now though

[leyorkie]

I was told many years ago that French cars are like dogs. They like to sniff each other’s arses 😄

[Mike-tf3n0]

Honestly, I wouldn't worry. I live in Occitanie and the traffic density, except in places like Narbonne and Toulouse, is low, and except for the Autoroutes the max speed is limited to 80kph or less, everywhere. More to the point, most of this area is pretty rural and the locals either dodder along or flash past and vanish, neither modes will bother you much! The most important thing is to remember to drive on the right and not just set off up the road on the left as you have done for the last umpteen years! Stick a big arrow on the dash to remind you to drive on the right, you will be fine! Whereabouts in Occitanie by the way?

[Kevp]

nakedninja said:

We're going to be moving to France (Occitanie) next year and I wondered what the options are for a bit of driving tuition. I'm not looking for circuit training, but something of a refresher and advanced stuff, RoSPA or IAM level. I figure it couldn't hurt as I haven't done loads of driving on the right. Are there any insurance linked schemes that could save us money?

Nakedninja are you taking about car or bike? If bike what's your department/nearest town?

[smifffymoto]

Also,in France,it’s the vehicle not the driver that is insured.So in theory passing additional tests will make no difference to your premiums.

[Fatt McMissile]

leyorkie said:

I was told many years ago that French cars are like dogs. They like to sniff each other’s arses ??

[lowdrag]

The driving schools teach in this order when turning; brake, turn, indicate. Really annoying. And be careful of all the oldies at the wheel (like me The standard of driving of these people is not appalling but execrable. One chap had an old Mondeo with every bumper corner scratched and cracked. When asked to read a number plate he couldn't until he got to five metres from the plate. He drove in the middle of the road and followed the white line. I spoke to his GP (same as me) and all he did was shrug his shoulders.

https://www.french-property.com/news/french_life/d...

[nakedninja]

Sorry for being late back to the party everyone.

Thanks for the link to the highway code rdjohn, I will get a coyp.

To answer some questions, I have a car and bike licence and we may end up with both after we move. I have driven in France before, but not for for a while and not everyday. We're torn on whether we'll have a car to start with, but will definitely end up with one.

We'll be somewhere in a satellite town of Montpellier, or Perpignan. While the paperwork is going through we have the luxury of not deciding yet.

[Mike-tf3n0]

Perfectly placed for Leucate and Oysters, straight out of the sea, different types and sizes, superb quality and not expensive! If you like them pm me and I'll give you the low down!

[Pitre]

I was told by my French son in law that they are taught to drive close to the car in front to minimise damage in the event of a collision! Make of that what you will, but combining that with 'priorite a droite' and you have a recipe for disaster imho! Of course most French roads are pretty empty in comparison to UK roads but I sometimes wonder what they make of our roadcraft when they visit!

Be careful out there.....

[Magooagain]

Pitre said:

I was told by my French son in law that they are taught to drive close to the car in front to minimise damage in the event of a collision! Make of that what you will, but combining that with 'priorite a droite' and you have a recipe for disaster imho! Of course most French roads are pretty empty in comparison to UK roads but I sometimes wonder what they make of our roadcraft when they visit!

Be careful out there.....

Yes. I think defensive driving is key here. I'm not sure wether the word 'anticipate' even exists with regard to driving.