We have just come back from France, so I have been busy making sure that we have everything we might need and I have come up with a checklist for driving in France so I thought I would share it with you.
Documentation:
I have put together a wallet with all our documentation including driving licence (paper counterpart and picture card), MOT, Proof of ownership (V5 logbook or a VE103 document for rented/hired vehicles), proof of insurance and proof of ID (copies of our passports).
Essential items:
- Reflective jackets (must be kept inside the vehicle, within reach)
- Warning triangle
- Headlamp beam deflectors (Depending on your car, you will either need deflector stickers or have to adjust the beam manually)
- Breathalysers/alcohol test
- GB Sticker
Nice to have items:
- First Aid Kit
- Fire extinguisher
- full set of replacement bulbs for cars headlights and brake lights
Car Breakdown Cover
Always check your European breakdown cover to ensure that is covers the country you are travelling to and make sure you have the relevant European phone number and paperwork with you.
Sat Navs
If you have a European sat nav make sure you have disabled camera alerts as French Laws have prohibited drivers from carrying any device capable of detecting speed cameras. This includes sat navs capable of showing speed camera sites as Points of Interest.
The minimads and their cousin in the back of the Kia Sorento that we borrowed (review to follow)
Car Seats
Unlike the UK the use of child car seats is not determined on height but on weight. Under French law, children up to the age of 10 must travel in an approved child seat or restraint.
- Group 0: < 10 kg Rear-facing child seat placed either at the front passenger seat or at the back seat (if placed at the front, the airbag must be switched off). Babies can also travel in a carry cot (this can be placed at the rear seat only).
- Group 0+: < 13 kg Child restraints in this category are slightly bigger versions of those in Group 0. They must be installed under the same conditions as those in Group 0.
- Group 1: 9 – 18 kg Child seat with a harness or a protection tray.
- Group 2: 15 – 25 kg Booster seat or cushion with an adult seatbelt.
- Group 3: 22 – 36 kg Booster seat or cushion with an adult seatbelt
We are not the only ones that prefer to drive to France – check out We are Goin on An Adventure to see why they prefer driving too.
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