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Original poster

Driving in France - are headlight converters the only things we need?

43 replies

3sEnough · 30/06/2007 15:31

Hi - France driving virgin here and my dh keeps whittering on about headlamp converters. I've found them online with or without GB sticker. Do I need the converters, sticker and anything else or am I OK in my car as is? TIA

OP posts:
NoNickname · 30/06/2007 15:33

AFAIK, you need:

  • Headlight thingies;
  • a GB sticker (or if it's on your license plate already, you don't need one);
  • a warning triangle (you will probably not need it, but it's compulsory to have one in your car).
winestein · 30/06/2007 15:34

I have a feeling it is also mandatory to carry a hazard warning triangle isn't it? Or am I dreaming that?

NoNickname · 30/06/2007 15:34

Halfords do the converters plus a small magnetic GB sign for about £7 if I remember rightly.

winestein · 30/06/2007 15:34

Nope! I wasn't dreaming it then

Tortington · 30/06/2007 15:34

converters lol - don't spend lot o money you ca buy deflector sickers - ellw stickr that goes ovr you hadlight - usallyfrm the shop before you travel - also you ill need a triangl in case of emergency - apart from that i can't think of anythin else

Tortington · 30/06/2007 15:35

jesus! stickers. that you stick on your headlamp.

policywonk · 30/06/2007 15:35

Check with your breakdown insurance that you're covered abroad - it's worth being sure

Don't think you do need the warning triangle in France - think it's just the converters that are a legal requirement

Original poster
3sEnough · 30/06/2007 15:36

OH - you lot are just so great!!! I have a triangle in the car (came with the Audi - vorsprung durch techniq and all that!) but will get a sticky gb and sticky stickers for the lights. xxx

OP posts:
LIZS · 30/06/2007 15:36

Warning triangle recommended see here

winestein · 30/06/2007 15:37

I don't think she needs any Jesus! stickers to stick on her headlamps, does she Custy?

Original poster
3sEnough · 30/06/2007 15:38

policywonk - yup - rung re: the breakdown and need to upgrade it and have also had to get a 'green card' to make my insurance 'count' over there. Had never heard of it before that.

OP posts:
alipiggie · 30/06/2007 15:39

Check online with the AA - it used to be that you needed replacement headlamp bulbs and first aid kit too - as well as the warning triangle. Do you still need a green card (insurance) for the car?? Check with your insurance firm.

alipiggie · 30/06/2007 15:39

X-posts with 3sEnough.

winestein · 30/06/2007 15:39

That's Lizs' link Ali - and very useful it is too Lizs

Enid · 30/06/2007 15:42

a gb sticker isnt mandatory

my mum used to say people only put them on their cars to show off that they'd been abroad

policywonk · 30/06/2007 15:43

Good to be sure about the insurance! We went two weeks without incident last summer, then DP drove into a kerb on literally the second-to-last day of the holiday and totalled one of the tyres, which we couldn't get off because we didn't have the right spanner or summat (I may not have been paying full attention at this point). Anyway, the £20 or so I'd paid for the extra breakdown insurance suddenly seemed like the best investment I'd ever made. (Never mind that half the men in the town were on their knees by the side of our car by the time the breakdown guys arrived. Lovely old gnarled French fellas. One of them practically twisted the nuts off with his bare hands. Grrr.)

Original poster
3sEnough · 30/06/2007 15:58

Thanks all - I've just checked with the aa and I need a GB sticker (dh not amused - doesn't like them!), didn't mention the green card although the insurance company sold me one (oh well - better safe than sorry) but did say that can't use headlamp stickers on xenons - have to ring dealer to get adjusted....grrrr.

OP posts:
stleger · 30/06/2007 16:00

First Aid Kit maybe? Check the AA website.

snorkle · 30/06/2007 16:01

It's not just a warning triangle. I'm fairly sure you have to carry spare bulbs and a first aid kit too. Possibly relective vests, torch and car fire extinguisher as well.

You have to have this stuff as its a legal requirement to be able to assist if there's an accident if I remember right.

And you should take your driving licenses, and all car documents too.

Finally (can't remember if this is France or Spain) you might need a spare pair of glasses if you use them to drive.

Original poster
3sEnough · 30/06/2007 16:01

The aa didn't say about a first aid kit but I' m pretty sure it's in the car with the triangle and other weird and random items which I've never seen before!!

OP posts:
Original poster
3sEnough · 30/06/2007 16:03

Snorkle - no vests required in France apparently. It didn't mention the rest.....

OP posts:
snorkle · 30/06/2007 16:14

vests are for Italy, Fire extinguisher is for Belgium, sorry.

policywonk · 30/06/2007 16:16

Honest, the only things you MUST have are the GB sticker and the headlamp adjustment.

debgronow · 30/06/2007 16:40

Green card international insurance thing. You must take your driving licence.
You might want to think about taking out green flag or AA international rescue cover in case of breaking dowm.
We drive in France and were told to get triangle, and a yellow vest.

BecauseImWorthIt · 30/06/2007 16:43

driving in France

This is a good site - although didn't appear to say anythinhg about a fire extinguisher

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