Requirements for driving in France

Dublin Mum

Can anyone tell me if we need a reflector board or lights for a bike rack when driving in France; and also beam benders for headlights? Have googled but not having much luck.

Thanks.

OuterBombie

Howdy,

I think reflector board is only for Italy, you can get away without it in France (but not sure). Either way you should be able to pick one up in the first decent Hypermarket you pass by (there are plenty close to all the ferry ports).

If your van is RHD you may want beam benders alright (if you'll be driving by night), you can pick these up on the Ferry on the way over.

Enjoy.

OB.

alexfernie

Hi

You don't need a reflector board for France, but its advisable.

Compulsory is:

A fire extinguisher
A reflective triangle in case of breakdown
Hi-viz jackets for all passengers in case of breakdown
A complete set of bulbs for your vehicle

Beam Benders are advisable also if you plan to drive at night or during poor visibility.

All this can be bought in any Halfords.

Enjoy your trip.

HereAndThere

Hi

I'm just back from France and couldn't pick up the reflector board before I left.

Use reflective belts/material around your bikes and carrier. This will give enough warning to motorists behind you that you are an extra 1/2 Metre long.


I think if you're sensible and just do what I did the authorities in France will not stop you.

They didn't stop me.

Enjoy your trip. Weather wasn't great but better than here.

Ste

WildWater

Hi Dublin Mum

As the others have stated the reflector board is not compulsory in France. So its up to you. We did 3 weeks in France with 4 bikes on the rear carrier and didn't bother with the reflector.

Re additional lights - you will need a number plate light board if the number plate / lights on the van are obstructed by the bike rack. In general police on the continent are, quite rightly, fairly intolerant of number plate obstructions.

Re the beam bender: The Halford ones can be reused with a bit of double sided tape so take care taking them off and dont throw them out

The French supermarkets can be handy for a few bits and bobs. I picked up a french EHU adapter for €5 in E. LeClerc. For other campervan stuff you will need to go to a specialist store. I found Narbonne Accessories good and they have a good network of shops. There is also another chain called Top Accessories. I did not go to them because I found their prices (online) to be quite expensive.

Enjoy

derry

Spain Now demands the bike reflector board
Found out the hard way the motor bike cops flagged me down and fined me €40
I went to caravan shop in Benidorm and they had two types
One was the cheapo version non reflective red and white painted onto plastic board with four small bike like reflectors costing €10
The other was the full metal board with reflective paint both red and white the dogs doodles but cost €40
The guy in the shop admitted the cheapo version might not work with all cops so I didn't buy it
So i went back to hardware shop that had the proper one but with plastic Plaque version and reflective paint proper made for €25 and bought that one
Spanish cops the Gauda civil don't like any issues.I talked my way out of local police stop some time ago when my single bike blocked the number plate (They cant take speeding pics when the number plate is blocked )
Really in Spain the cops are fining for anything slightly wrong for financial reasons so your better of to be as perfect as possible .
they tend to wait around fill up stations where many people tend to be a tad slow to put on the safety belts and that gets them a nice little earner most every day

Derry

niloc1951

Also watch your speed.

Unlike here where our slap-dash legislation does not cover 'motor caravans' elsewhere in Europe if your camper is over 3,500 kg GVW you will be subject to lower speed limits than 'cars', typically 80KmPH on main roads and 100KmPH on motorways, but there are exceptions.

But do check HERE to be sure