Driving in France

C

chetalien

Active member
Hi Guys, I'm drivign to france for the first time in my life and will be driving on the wrong side of the road. I was going through websites for tips and found that the car needs to have headlamp deflectors or the light needs to be adjusted. Does anyone know if its easy to do it. Or do u just adjust the light button or do i need to take it to the dealer. Or if i need to buy those delfectors do i get them in halfords. any other advice appreciated
 
It's a few minute job to do it
Turn the wheel to full lock
Open the access harch under the arch
Remove ther rear of the lamp by undoing the spring clamp
Slide the lever upwards by the side of the outside bulb holder (It cuts off part of the beam)

Replace the cover and access panel. Do the other side.

Don't do it witht he lights on if Xenon or you'll die !!!

If you need any info on EU driving let me know - lived in Paris and drive in EU regularly
 
Cheers mate. I'll try it tomorrow morning. I'm driving tomorrow. left it a lot late. didnt realise. It was sort of on the spur decision to drive. do i need to look out for anything. I've read that i should leave my speed detector at home. I'll driving to dover-calais(ferry) then to bruges, brussels and then paris and back. all advice appreciated.
 
Ihave the //MR. Is it the same procedure for it too? How will i know the lights are ok? sorrry for all the dumb questions,. thanks a lot cj
 
Yeah I got the high vis and also a traingle from halfords. didnt realise of the headlamps. Because its xenon i can stick a mask tape on it.
 
Point the car at a garage door. Look at the beam pattern shinning up and left. Switch off the lights. Follow the guide. Put them back on and see the left is now cut off, which woudl have shone into oncoming traffic. Perhaps you can get a masking device at the docks but no idea where to fit it as there are no headlight marks as guides.

Def no speed detectors, his vis jacket, triangle, complete set of spare bulbs, driving licence, insurance, GB plate if not on number plate, etc.

Expect to be pulled and fined on the spot for infringements anything from speeding to over tinted windows. They don't mess in the EU and see us as easy income.

Have a nice trip :D
 
Didn't know that about the light's, I'll have to remember for next month, and get some more lamps, you plant
in the garden.
 
Speed camera sign means there is a speed camera within the next few 100 metres, so slow down. Although I don't think they can track GB plates yet. Not worth testing that though!
 
Talking of cameras they have some neat ones on the entrance to villages on the more rural RN's. If you speed in they simply stop you at a set of lights short of the village and hold you there for a minute or so.

Meanwhile everyone curses you for delaying them. Some get a fair bit agitated, so be warned....
 
Hi Vis has to be in the passenger compartment, you still get fined if it is in the boot.

The lights - I have never bothered, but as far as I am aware that lever is only there for Xenon equiped cars?

I have never had a GB sticker / magnetic plate. Don't want one as I am not British :D
 
I have alway loved driving in France - Autoroutes are v-good with roadwoks being rare in my experience. If you're not in a rush D Roads are fantastically tranquil!
I forget the exact ratio but France is something like 8 times bigger than the UK with about the same population? Food and Wine are pretty good as well! :D Enjoy
 
I agree that driving in France is usually a pleasure due to much less traffic ... one thing to add to the above is that if you are using the Toll roads be careful of your average speed between the Toll booths, they will check it using the time stamp on the ticket!
:driving:
 
Be careful with speed, they have really clamped down recently.

My parents are off there next weekend to visit friends, who live an hour or so drive from the Airport in rural France, so they are going to leave their M6 at the airport for my parents to use. Envious? Me? No....
 
Z4kma said:
I agree that driving in France is usually a pleasure due to much less traffic ... one thing to add to the above is that if you are using the Toll roads be careful of your average speed between the Toll booths, they will check it using the time stamp on the ticket!
:driving:
Click to expand...

This is an fallacy, brought up because the Gendarmes are lazy and use the tolls to stop people they've identified speeding on the autoroute.
 
Yes, the time is NOT used for average speed check. The speed checks are usually say a mile from the next Toll so they just pick you out there.
 
"I have never had a GB sticker / magnetic plate. Don't want one as I am not British"

If you do not have a GB or EU mark on your number plate then this is illegal!!
 
Z4kma said:
OK, ok ... I was only trying to help :?

I'd still be careful about speeding anyway!
Click to expand...

Definitely be careful. Particularly in the northern part of France, and in the few kms before each toll. Otherwise you can make sensible progress at 140kph and not get bothered by the Gendarmes.

Re the GB sticker, it is a requirement, but I've driven plenty of times without one. That said, they're cheap and simple so why not? Or why not get number plates with the country logo?
 
The moral of all this of course is that France is a fantastic country to be in and drive through. If you want to blat from A to B or miss any of the correct documentation you'll get your arse kicked if caught.

If you want to go fast use the autoroutes and just hold a realistic constant speed, else It's a country to get on the empty B roads and cruise.
 
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