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[Omegadoha, Desert Member]

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.

[Sir Tigger KC]

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!!

[Welung666]

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  

[TheBoy]

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...

[Sir Tigger KC]

and fire extinguisher? :-/

[TheBoy]

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)

[Lizzie_Zoom]

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.

 

[Andy B]

You are supposed to ........ green card etc.
 ........

I didn't think we needed a green card now that we're all one happy EU    

[TheBoy]

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

[djm1964]

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 ........

[Debs.]

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.

[Gaffers]

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  

If you want to make sure you get arrested the french call their police poulet !  

[Kevin Wood]

.. and remember a fistful of Euros to pay the speeding bribes fines.

 

Kevin

[Omegadoha, Desert Member]

Thanks for all the tips. 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.   just abit too far to drive from Qatar.

[Justdave]

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 !!