Driving in France-Tips and advice please!

[NeedCoffee]

We're travelling on a ferry to Belgium then to France next weekend, I know we need to get the headlamp convertors( unless I'm able to find out if a Xsara Picasso can be converted by a button?!) and a GB sticker, plus the hi vis jacket and warning triangle but we're debating whether to increase our insurance to fully comp and get EU breakdown cover..

Any advice?

You need a spare set of bulbs. I would get breakdown cover and fully comp. How would you get home if you had an accident without the insurance?

Oh remember to drive on the other side of the road and look teh wrong way at roundabouts

I wouldn't travel without the insurance etc!! We did it a couple of weeks ago, and when you are travelling on the motorways it is a doddle.
Where are you going in France?

Got the bulbs and third party-will give insurance a call tomorrow to see how much more it's going to cost.

Going on Sat night on the ferry

dont speed on the toll roads (not suggesting you would anyway) they clock your time and fine you if you have

The French don't use any form of lane control when using a roundabout and tend to drive all the way round the outside of the roundabout, even if they want the last exit!

Tune your radio to 107.7 on French motorways to get traffic news in English every 15 mins or so!

obviously you only need a GB sticker if you don't have it already to the left of your reg no on your reg plate, lots of cars do now

we got the stickers for the headlamps at Dover as we forgot

you need the bulbs and the warning triangle as mentioned

we got breakdown assistance cover with Aviva, its annual

Thanks everyone, good tips. Just realised I haven't got my photo driving licence card and it wont let me apply for a replacemenyt online, will have to call them too tomorrow!

Definately get the euoprean breakdown assistance, repatriation costs a fortune.

When you arrive in a town there is no speed limit sign, the town sign means you have to slow down to 50km/hr. Speed limit on main roads is 90km/hr dual carriage ways 110 km/hr and Autoroutes 130 km/hr.

Be careful it isn't alway evident which is dual carriageway and which is Autoroute. If the signs are blue it is autoroute if they are green it isn't.

You also need a warning triangle and a high vis jacket or waistcoat.

High vis jacket for everyone in car, not just one for driver i think!

Also, use a credit card at tolls (péage) - Qs are shorter!

Keep kids (and adults) amused with numberplate bingo:

Beginners version needs a number grid of 1 to 100 - cross off numbers randomly as you spot cars registered in each départment.

Advanced version - first find a car registered in départment 01, then 02 etc.

Drive on the right

Roundabouts are the trickiest bit. Get the passenger to help you ngotiate roundabouts re turning to the right etc.

Get breakdown and insurance cover.
Get breakdown and insurance cover.
Get breakdown and insurance cover.

Can you tell we had an unfortunate incident 5 years ago. Ended up fine but at a serious cost (probably doubled cost of holiday)

Hi,

We did a very similar journey this summer - Scotland to Brussels on the ferry, then France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany and home. It was great!

We bought an EU car pack online which had everything we needed to have in the car - stickers, high vis vests etc.

Did you book a cabin on the ferry?
Have you got a roof rack and box? We invested in one and it was well worth it. It meant we could keep the back seat free so that I could sit in the back with our son when he became fractious.

I started a blog while we were away with travel tips for parents. You might find it useful: www.lovebabylovetravel.com
Please leave comments if you have any questions.

All the best,

Anna

Hi

We also did the Rosyth to Zeebrugge crossing this summer.

If you are doing this crossing - a few tips: book dinner when you get on board. Sit down if you see a spare table in the bar whether you want to sit down or not! There are not enough seats for everyone on board. The crossing can get quite rough on the way back by the way so sea sick tablets or bands would be a good idea. Poor DS2 threw up excessively in the morning.

When you get to Belguim, watch out for flashing amber lights at right/left hand turns - we figured out eventually that it meant 'turn if you are safe to do so'.

Be careful about speeding anywhere. Gendarmerie are very keen on mobile speed checks!

They like you to have a first aid kit in car - not obligatory.

Remember to take car re, MOT and insurance docs.

Keep vest and triangle in car- if in boot they will still fine you.

If you see an accident eg you are first to arrive you must stop and offer assistance.

Have a lovely time - driving in France is very easy.

Sorry car registration documents *

Thanks all! Have upgraded insurance, just trying to find a deal on breakdown cover, already with AA but it's still going to cost quite a bit on top, already booked meals, yes booked a cabin as it is overnight-no roof rack but contemplating taking bike rack, not sure if we will yet or not. Unlikely we'll need to sit in the back, dd's keep each other snarling entertained.

Thanks LBLT, will have a look when I get chance :)

Do you have a Tom Tom? French version well worth it in my opinion. Also helps orientate you at complicated road arrangements.

If you use the peage the credit card lane is shown by CB (for Carte Blanche). You don't have to input your pin number. Just put the ticket in, then the credit card often follows in the same slot. You'll find you may need to pay at various intervals on a long motorway journey.

If you fill up at petrol station, when you pay people say "Le Cinq" or "Le deux" etc to say which pump they used. If you have a diesel car be careful about using the HGV pumps. Deisel comes out so quickly. My husband's trousers and shoes got soaked. not good.

You'll see regular signs for Aires - they are the service areas on motorways. Most are not really like our service areas. A lot less commercialised, and people take their own picnics. Some of toilets can be a bit grim. Take some toilet paper with you!

Have fun!

They are selling hi-viz jackets in Poundland at the moment...

If you fill up with petrol at a supermarket, you may have to get in your car and drive past a little booth to pay.

You may not have to pay extra for the insurance to cover you in Belgium/France but do check.

I paid £5 for an International Driving Permit, because I have the old-style licence, but I never needed it.

You only need dipped headlight diverters if you'll be driving after dark.

Aires are fab.

Fill up at supermarkets because they are much cheaper.

French motorways are a joy after UK ones.

HTH

Fill up before you leave England if you are driving on motorways for a long time as when we went petrol was ?1.5 a litre (?1.25 at supermarkets)

I found direct line cheapest for breakdown cover.

diesel is cheaper in France though so if you have a diesel car, wait till you get there

Sorry, slight hijack - interested to see several comments about French speed checks. Haven't driven there for a couple of years but in past experience I am always being tailgated/overtaken by French cars when I stick to the speed limit. We're off to France at the weekend to will keep my eye on the speedo!