Requirements for cars in France
#1
Requirements for cars in France
Hi I would like a list of all the things that are legally required for driving in France please
As I understand it so far its:
A hi-vis jacket for EACH person,
A warning triangle.
Beam benders or gaffer/duct tape cutting out dazzle on RHD cars
2x Breathalyser
However I also read that you need spare bulbs as well, is this a LEGAL requirement to drive in France?
Are there any other legal requirements, please.
I'd like to have a list of all as we have had experiences of being pulled over in France soon after the border, (for speeding) and being fined in cash (only) ... also French cars had just overtaken me!! Oh yes the ONLY cars in the pull off were foreign plated cars.... there was a special van all prepared to take our dosh!
Welcome, tourists, to France!
Jon
As I understand it so far its:
A hi-vis jacket for EACH person,
A warning triangle.
Beam benders or gaffer/duct tape cutting out dazzle on RHD cars
2x Breathalyser
However I also read that you need spare bulbs as well, is this a LEGAL requirement to drive in France?
Are there any other legal requirements, please.
I'd like to have a list of all as we have had experiences of being pulled over in France soon after the border, (for speeding) and being fined in cash (only) ... also French cars had just overtaken me!! Oh yes the ONLY cars in the pull off were foreign plated cars.... there was a special van all prepared to take our dosh!
Welcome, tourists, to France!
Jon
#2
Re: Requirements for cars in France
You need to have your driving licence; registration documents and insurance documents.
And by the sound of it - a lot of cash.
And by the sound of it - a lot of cash.
#3
Re: Requirements for cars in France
However I was very polite, accepted I was speeding, and they gave me a reduced fine.. so can't fully complain.
Though it was annoying to see foreign only cars pulled over.... not the best welcome, after the Luxembourg border, and a suspicion also because cash was required...
Any addition to the list I started, please?
Jon
#4
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2012
Location: Dépt 61
Posts: 5,254
Re: Requirements for cars in France
In fact you only need one hi-viz vest per vehicle, and one breathalyser (though since you must always have an unused one, common sense dictates that you should keep two in the car in case you ever use one).
Spare bulbs are not a legal requirement, but you must have functioning lights. The catch is, that if you are stopped for having non-functioning lights, you could in theory be not allowed to drive on until your lights have been fixed. Hence the advisability of being in a position to change them on the spot. Or that's the theory - in fact of course, changing some bulbs is not a thing you can do by the roadside - and if all cars on French roads with faulty lights were immobilised, I think there would be more piled up in laybys than left circulating.
Details of what you have to have in your car are here:
http://vosdroits.service-public.fr/F19459.xhtml
Spare bulbs are not a legal requirement, but you must have functioning lights. The catch is, that if you are stopped for having non-functioning lights, you could in theory be not allowed to drive on until your lights have been fixed. Hence the advisability of being in a position to change them on the spot. Or that's the theory - in fact of course, changing some bulbs is not a thing you can do by the roadside - and if all cars on French roads with faulty lights were immobilised, I think there would be more piled up in laybys than left circulating.
Details of what you have to have in your car are here:
http://vosdroits.service-public.fr/F19459.xhtml
#5
Re: Requirements for cars in France
In fact you only need one hi-viz vest per vehicle, and one breathalyser (though since you must always have an unused one, common sense dictates that you should keep two in the car in case you ever use one).
Spare bulbs are not a legal requirement, but you must have functioning lights. The catch is, that if you are stopped for having non-functioning lights, you could in theory be not allowed to drive on until your lights have been fixed. Hence the advisability of being in a position to change them on the spot. Or that's the theory - in fact of course, changing some bulbs is not a thing you can do by the roadside - and if all cars on French roads with faulty lights were immobilised, I think there would be more piled up in laybys than left circulating.
Details of what you have to have in your car are here:
http://vosdroits.service-public.fr/F19459.xhtml
Spare bulbs are not a legal requirement, but you must have functioning lights. The catch is, that if you are stopped for having non-functioning lights, you could in theory be not allowed to drive on until your lights have been fixed. Hence the advisability of being in a position to change them on the spot. Or that's the theory - in fact of course, changing some bulbs is not a thing you can do by the roadside - and if all cars on French roads with faulty lights were immobilised, I think there would be more piled up in laybys than left circulating.
Details of what you have to have in your car are here:
http://vosdroits.service-public.fr/F19459.xhtml
I was really annoyed when we had a Megane, changing the lightbulb meant taking off the bumper!
The garage charged an extra +/- 90Euros for taking off the bumper, the bulb was a fraction of that.
How stupid to have a design that doesnt allow simple changing of parts like this on the roadside!
Thanks again,
Jon
#6
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 10,551
Re: Requirements for cars in France
In fact you only need one hi-viz vest per vehicle, and one breathalyser (though since you must always have an unused one, common sense dictates that you should keep two in the car in case you ever use one).
Spare bulbs are not a legal requirement, but you must have functioning lights. The catch is, that if you are stopped for having non-functioning lights, you could in theory be not allowed to drive on until your lights have been fixed. Hence the advisability of being in a position to change them on the spot. Or that's the theory - in fact of course, changing some bulbs is not a thing you can do by the roadside - and if all cars on French roads with faulty lights were immobilised, I think there would be more piled up in laybys than left circulating.
Details of what you have to have in your car are here:
http://vosdroits.service-public.fr/F19459.xhtml
Spare bulbs are not a legal requirement, but you must have functioning lights. The catch is, that if you are stopped for having non-functioning lights, you could in theory be not allowed to drive on until your lights have been fixed. Hence the advisability of being in a position to change them on the spot. Or that's the theory - in fact of course, changing some bulbs is not a thing you can do by the roadside - and if all cars on French roads with faulty lights were immobilised, I think there would be more piled up in laybys than left circulating.
Details of what you have to have in your car are here:
http://vosdroits.service-public.fr/F19459.xhtml
#8
Re: Requirements for cars in France
Thought B-test kit law had been postponed 'cos lack of supplies
#10
Just Joined
Joined: Nov 2012
Location: Brittany
Posts: 3
Re: Requirements for cars in France
bonjour,
I'm french, and I can help you about what you need in your car to drive in France :
1 hi-vis jacket per car which can be taken by the driver from his seat.
1 valid Breath test unused ( law is reported to 1st of march 2013)
1 triangle.
All these 3 objects must have the "CE" or "NF" label (NF means "Norme Française")
as writen by Euro Trash, you must be able to change a bulb on requirement by a Gendarme, a Policeman, a CRS or a Douanier. don't forget the screwdriver !
you also need a driving license with a photo, a certificate of registration and a valid inssurance card.
Note that if you drive a "red plate" car, the driver must be the "owner".
even his wife or her husband can't drive this car.
I'm french, and I can help you about what you need in your car to drive in France :
1 hi-vis jacket per car which can be taken by the driver from his seat.
1 valid Breath test unused ( law is reported to 1st of march 2013)
1 triangle.
All these 3 objects must have the "CE" or "NF" label (NF means "Norme Française")
as writen by Euro Trash, you must be able to change a bulb on requirement by a Gendarme, a Policeman, a CRS or a Douanier. don't forget the screwdriver !
you also need a driving license with a photo, a certificate of registration and a valid inssurance card.
Note that if you drive a "red plate" car, the driver must be the "owner".
even his wife or her husband can't drive this car.
#11
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2011
Location: 42
Posts: 445
Re: Requirements for cars in France
It would be a pity if anyone ran away with the idea that the French police are corrupt and will take bribes. They might not be very efficient, but corrupt they are not.
PB
#12
Re: Requirements for cars in France
Here are the tolerances for fixed radar in France:
http://www.radars-auto.com/info-rada...nce-radars.php
http://www.radars-auto.com/info-rada...nce-radars.php
#13
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 10,551
Re: Requirements for cars in France
Here are the tolerances for fixed radar in France:
http://www.radars-auto.com/info-rada...nce-radars.php
http://www.radars-auto.com/info-rada...nce-radars.php
#15
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2008
Location: SE Dordogne France
Posts: 982
Re: Requirements for cars in France
Not so, the old style paper UK driving licence, sans photo, is perfectly valid throughout the EU.
I would also dispute the ability to 'change bulb on requirement' can you point us to the passage in French law where that is written please. That is not what Euro Trash said anyway.
The retaining of a carte grise obviously only applies to French registered cars in which case a receipt will be given. They have no right to seize a registration document for a foreign registered car although in the most serious cases they can seize the whole vehicle.
I'm afraid the OP's experience of only foreign cars being pulled is a result of so many such drivers routinely taking the pi55 the second they hit the motorway thinking that they are immune, we've all seen them and been passed by them.
I would also dispute the ability to 'change bulb on requirement' can you point us to the passage in French law where that is written please. That is not what Euro Trash said anyway.
The retaining of a carte grise obviously only applies to French registered cars in which case a receipt will be given. They have no right to seize a registration document for a foreign registered car although in the most serious cases they can seize the whole vehicle.
I'm afraid the OP's experience of only foreign cars being pulled is a result of so many such drivers routinely taking the pi55 the second they hit the motorway thinking that they are immune, we've all seen them and been passed by them.