Driving in France - Legal Requirements?

**Damien** · 10-07-2008, 18:00

What are the legal requirements with regards to driving in France. I have heard different things, I am aware that you need to have one of those reflective vests and extra warning symbols.

What I am not sure on is the licence. I have heard that you can drive over there if your over 18 and have a full UK drivers licence, but i have also heard you need to have had it for one year while other places dispute that.

Anyone know the truth? Do I need to have had a licence for a year before I am allowed to drive there?

**Graham M** · 10-07-2008, 18:10

A quick Google turned up this

http://www.france4families.com/Drivi...ngInFrance.htm

You can view the Google results I got here:

http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=leg...ient=firefox-a

HTH

Halcyon · 10-07-2008, 18:16

You are right in that you will need to have a yellow refelctive vest.
You need to have this with you in the car and not in the boot.

You will also need a warning triangle.
You can be instantly fined for failing to have these.

I don't believe that you would have any problems with driving if you havent driven a year as yet.

You need to have your Driving license on you as well as car registration documents.

If travelling during the night you should fit black stickers to your headlights otherwise you will dazzle other drivers.

You should also have a first aid kit and spare light bulbs.

I've driven in France and had not been driving a year. I don't think that is too much of a problem.

The one thing to be careful on the roads is approaching roundabouts. Just remember to go the opposite way.

EDIT: Make sure you have these items before you go. I'm sure a lot of people forget and end up buying them on the boat or at the terminal and end up paying way too much for them.

RDDearing · 11-07-2008, 09:25

Also watch out for when you stop - this is where the mind forgets all about the country you are in. When I drove in France a couple of years ago I had to remind myself nearly every time I got back in the car - I really scared the other half one day when we drove back from the beach - the clue was the car heading towards us!

Osem · 11-07-2008, 22:35

From what I've seen, the main requirement for driving in France is to be a complete lunatic, never obey any rules and carry enough Euros to bribe the Gendarmes..

**Damien** · 11-07-2008, 22:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Osem

From what I've seen, the main requirement for driving in France is to be a complete lunatic, never obey any rules and carry enough Euros to bribe the Gendarmes..

So i'll just continue as normal then?

Halcyon · 11-07-2008, 22:52

My relatives in France have just told me you face a 60 Euro fine if you do not have the required gear in your car.

LSainsbury · 12-07-2008, 09:25

Warning triange, first aid kit, headlight defelectors and no speed camera detectors - that includes satnav with speed camera databases!

**Kymmy** · 13-07-2008, 10:43

Just out of interest was in Aldi yesterday and they're doing a cheap Drivers aid package which has a warning triangl, reflective vest and other things, was less than a tenner.

Kymmy

MadGamer · 13-07-2008, 10:52

Dont you have to be 21 to drive over there, or is that to drink?

soup dragon · 13-07-2008, 23:25

article in the papers today about the hv vest - €130 on the spot fine for not having one, apparently!

bopdude · 14-07-2008, 00:21

As has been said, and to add to it, you must have a triangle, vest, first aid kit and spare bulbs, IIRC a fire extinguisher is also a requirement, also, if you pass an accident or someone in trouble, your supposed to stop, again IIRC.