Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: Omegadoha, Desert Member on 25 April 2009, 10:45:42

Title: Driving to France
Post by: Omegadoha, Desert Member on 25 April 2009, 10:45:42
Do you have to show your UK driving licence when driving to France from the UK?

It's just that I can't find mine right now and might not have enough time to get one sorted out when I get back to the UK.

Thanks.
Title: Re: Driving to France
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 25 April 2009, 10:49:33
No you don't have to show it in the same way as you do your passport, but I believe that it is law to carry all of your documents with you ie Registration certificate, MOT, Insurance, and Driving licence.

Don't forget your hi-viz vest!! ;D
Title: Re: Driving to France
Post by: Welung666 on 25 April 2009, 10:49:42
You 'should' carry your driving license at all times when on the continent, I forgot mine once when I was on the continental runs and spent 6 hours in a german police station while they waited for the DVLA to open so they could confirm mine  >:(
Title: Re: Driving to France
Post by: TheBoy on 25 April 2009, 11:12:09
You are supposed to have all the legal docs - licence, insurance, green card etc.

Additionally, legally you need Hi-vis jackets for each potential 'group' (ie, 2 for a family, as driver is considered a seperate group from rest of fmaily), and these must be in the car, not boot. You need to carry spare exterior bulbs for and bulb that is 'user changable' (ie, all bulbs except HIDs on an Omega), a first aid kit, a warning triangle...
Title: Re: Driving to France
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 25 April 2009, 11:16:38
and fire extinguisher? :-/
Title: Re: Driving to France
Post by: TheBoy on 25 April 2009, 11:21:00
Quote
and fire extinguisher? :-/
Last time I took my own car, that wasn't on the list...  ...last time I had a hire car out there, there wasn't one (was a couple of years ago now)
Title: Re: Driving to France
Post by: Lizzie_Zoom on 25 April 2009, 11:25:56
I think the boy has covered all, but for reassurance about driving in all European countries I use this excellent AA advice page:

http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/overseas/compulsory_equipment.html

Click on the pdf. document.

You will note that in France the extinguisher is not compulsory.

 :y :y
Title: Re: Driving to France
Post by: Andy B on 25 April 2009, 11:30:29
Quote
You are supposed to ........ green card etc.
 ........

I didn't think we needed a green card now that we're all one happy EU  ::)  ;)
Title: Re: Driving to France
Post by: TheBoy on 25 April 2009, 11:42:27
Quote
Quote
You are supposed to ........ green card etc.
 ........

I didn't think we needed a green card now that we're all one happy EU  ::)  ;)
I didn't think we were that EU ;)
Title: Re: Driving to France
Post by: djm1964 on 25 April 2009, 12:25:09
From my experience of driving through France / Spain with courier work , the French police are a pain in the a**e , never come across a more obstructive system in all my time abroad , spain , germany , belgium , denmark , all brilliant , but french ........ >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:(
Title: Re: Driving to France
Post by: Debs. on 25 April 2009, 12:34:13
Don`t forget the French "Good Samaritan Law"; IIRC you are legally obligated to stop and give 'aid and assistance' in the event of a road incident....even if you are not involved in the actual incident.
Title: Re: Driving to France
Post by: Gaffers on 25 April 2009, 13:32:00
You don't actually need the green card if you have UK plates as they understand that we dont use them but you will need all your documents like mentioned earlier.  You should call your insurance company and get clarification on your insurance requirements.

If you do get stopped by the police just be curtious, polite and if you speak any French use it they will respect you more and may be more lenient with you as long as  it aint Delboy french  ;D ;D ;D

If you want to make sure you get arrested the french call their police poulet !  ;) ;) ;) ;)
Title: Re: Driving to France
Post by: Kevin Wood on 25 April 2009, 16:56:19
.. and remember a fistful of Euros to pay the speeding bribes fines.

 :y

Kevin
Title: Re: Driving to France
Post by: Omegadoha, Desert Member on 26 April 2009, 10:23:58
Thanks for all the tips. :y It won't be the miggy that will make the trip, it will be our trusty Nissan Almera Tino. Mind the miggy is also considered trusty, it's only broken down on me twice.  ;D ;D just abit too far to drive from Qatar.
Title: Re: Driving to France
Post by: Justdave on 26 April 2009, 10:32:03
I'm planning a trip to France later in the year, I think I'll need a trailer just for the legal stuff I need to carry !! ;D
Title: Re: Driving to France
Post by: theowletman on 28 April 2009, 10:56:37
As I understand it, your UK insurance policy is automatically valid for member countries of the EU. However, and please check your policy, it only gives the minimum legal cover required  for that country, getting a green card ( and paying the fee ) gives you the same level of cover you have in the UK. As I said check first, all insurers are determined to avoid paying out, better to be safe than sorry.
Title: Re: Driving to France
Post by: webby23 on 28 April 2009, 13:16:44
We are off to Normandy next Friday, and my insurer SwiftCover charged me just £18 to upgrade from basic mandatory insurance to fully comp whilst driving abroad.

There is no Green Card, but I have printed off all the paperwork they have sent me anyway and will be taking it all with us

 :y