Travelling abroad

[Crompo]

Hi, I am taking my Stag to France for a few days later this month. Can anyone advise on where I can get main beam deflectors.also spare bulb kit.
Thanks Peter

[Phil S]

halfords, AA,RAC,or if you want to pay over the odds the ferry terminal don't forget spare glasses if you were them, hi vis for all passengers, breathaliser kit, warning triangle and fire extinguisher, you may even have room for a pair pair of socks

[DJT]

No requirement for fire extinguisher. There used to be a fine for not carrying an unused breathalyser kit, but this was revoked in 2013. Still best to carry one. Approved kits are available cheap on eBay.

Be very aware of speed limits. A group of us (72 in about 20 modern cars) went on a golf trip last October. Speeding fines are still being received by some of the drivers. My modern car has a speed limiter function which I used diligently and, so far, have been spared a letter from the French authorities.

[dasadrew]

I wouldn't bother with those beam deflectors. Just some black tape over the dip portion of the lens. I used to cut out some from a self-adhesive roll of black plastic covering.
There's no penalty for not having a breathalyser test kit on board.

Take a copy of an original Stag marketing brochure showing Gendarmes admiring a Stag!

Around the Calais area the Gendarmes used to have a habit of pulling over performace cars for having "tricky" number plates with letters and numbers and fixing screws cunningly arranged to spell a name or whatever.

Speed limit on "unlimited" motorways is 110 km/h (and not 130 km/h) in case of precipitation (rain, fog, sleet, snow, etc.). Sometimes also reduce around big cities when there is an ozone alert, but this is only notified over the local radio stations or sometimes on motorway signs.

Radio 107.7 is the traffic news and - especially around port areas - is broadcasted also in english. That's useful for example if there was a fire on the Eurotunnel etc., as you will hear it as you get near to Calais.

Country roads speed limit is 80 km/h - even if the signs and GPS say 90 km/h. This is still a trial period for imposing 80 km/h and not all signs have been changed.

If a motorbike wants to overtake, it's practice to move as far to the right verge as possible to give them more space - they'll thank you by extending the right foot when they've passed..

Drew

[Crompo]

Thanks to all 3 responses. Very useful.

[RobinLegin]

our experience of both living in France and travelling to France in a � voiture de collection � has been most welcoming. We have been waved past local � manifestations � and waved on our way by Gendarmes, National and Municipal police.
The thing to watch for is the 80kph limit on the RN roads. Speed cameras abound even on motorways and dual carriageways.
Other advice is make sure your day glow yellow vest is easily accessible and partially visible.
bon voyage

[dasadrew]

WARNING!: The following response contains humour and irony!

..... yellow vest is easily accessible and partially visible....

I found nowadays that putting it crumpled up on the dash tends to gain waves and thumbs up from the ordinary folk!

[mk2v877stag]

Thé waves and thumbs up are because the French think that you are supporting the anti government protests held all over France by the «  Gillet Jeaune « that take place every Saturday in Paris and most large towns in France.

[dasadrew]

WARNING!: The following response contains humour and irony!

Well! Who would have thought that!

[mk2v877stag]

People who think it’s only currently being used for breakdowns !!

[dasadrew]

People who think it’s only currently being used for breakdowns !!

Yep.. I've edited my posts accordingly

[mk2v877stag]

👍😊

[Guest]

Don�t bother with stickers, just use black insulation tape in the little triangle shape part of the light. I�m going over for whitsun too, just north of La Rochelle. Seems you have to pay some sort of tourist tax now in Europe?

[Guest]

The speed cameras on motorways are sign posted, if you see a speed camera sign there will be a camera with in about 100 yards. I have outdated breatherizers in the Stag as they�re now not compulsory. Hi viz vests in the vehicle not the boot. Warning triangle needed too, not sure about a fire extinguisher but I carry one anyway. If you dare to overtake a vehicle on the motorways be prepared to have some Dutch/ French or Belgian right up your chuff with their indicator on wishing to get past you, I don�t speed up when this happens which can result in a hand gesture from them as they pass you!

[Donkey]

The speed cameras on motorways are sign posted, if you see a speed camera sign there will be a camera with in about 100 yards. I have outdated breatherizers in the Stag as they�re now not compulsory. Hi viz vests in the vehicle not the boot. Warning triangle needed too, not sure about a fire extinguisher but I carry one anyway. If you dare to overtake a vehicle on the motorways be prepared to have some Dutch/ French or Belgian right up your chuff with their indicator on wishing to get past you, I don�t speed up when this happens which can result in a hand gesture from them as they pass you!

Be careful. the police are moving away from fixed cameras in preference for unmarked cars. Keep to around the speed limit and you have nothing to worry about.

Brian