driving in france - Page 4 - Boxster/Cayman - PistonHeads UK

disposable breathalyser

You could flick the lights over to flat beam if you want?

i thought the rule for breathalyser's had changed?

well its less than two weeks till i drive over to france then on to belgium. its been 6 or more years since i drove over there, so what things do i need to do other than carry a hi-vis, triangle ? do i need to adapt the headlights ? thanks in advance Edited by rObArtes on Tuesday 24th March 20:37

Yeh, bulbs, triangle, breathalyser, cash for fines and make sure you keep the high vis vest in the front door pocket. If you get out the car without it on they will do you! Oh, and drive on the right. Thats my tip....

any mod's to the headlights ?

rObArtes said: any mod's to the headlights ? As above, flick them over to flat beam.

From all that I have read, there is NO need for a breathalyser. IME all you 'need' is the documentation, but obviously carry the reflective triangle and the vests.

There should be a switch on the back of the caymans headlamps. Check the handbook.

mollytherocker said: There should be a switch on the back of the caymans headlamps. Check the handbook. Though it does annoyingly turn them into candles rather than headlamps... Not sure I'd bother flicking the switches next time.

rObArtes said: well its less than two weeks till i drive over to france then on to belgium. its been 6 or more years since i drove over there, so what things do i need to do other than carry a hi-vis, triangle ? do i need to adapt the headlights ? thanks in advance Edited by rObArtes on Tuesday 24th March 20:37 Watch out for the cops within 120 odd miles of Calais, they are abundant and they are skint! Watch out for signs that say there are radar speed traps, they are usually right. Watch out for speed cameras hidden in trees! Carry some euros with you as its inevitable you will have to pay a 'toll' Speaking of tolls, get yourself a toll tag from https://www.saneftolling.co.uk saves lots of queuing hassle on the autoroutes Having said all that.... there will be a time when you exit a quiet village and you are faced with a lovely country road that is perfectly smooth and well sighted with no traffic ...... you will LOVE it!

My 981 Cayman is ok with the lights left as they are. I did think of switching them over, but no french cars have flashed me yet!

thanks everyone how many of you have been pulled over ?

V8KSN said: Speaking of tolls, get yourself a toll tag from https://www.saneftolling.co.uk saves lots of queuing hassle on the autoroutes I second this. If you are intending to do a lot of Autoroute it will make a big difference. It saves you have to mess around with cards or cash and you don't have to stop. Comes with the added bonus of always being on the far left of the toll booths and against the concrete divider so you get to listen to you exhaust note as you pull away from the toll. First Aid kit. It might be a vest for everyone in the car.

I've done a lot of miles in France in the Cayman and I've never bothered mucking about with the headlights and never been flashed either. Spend some time off the main routes (as good as they are) and find some country roads, they are often very quiet, very well surfaced and some are a joy to drive. Well sighted quite often as the French don't have hedgerows like we do here so much.

Don't drive like a pratt and you won't get pulled over. Remember the differing limits when it's wet and keep to limits in towns and villages. Should be fine. The breathalyser rule hasn't changed per se. You are still meant to carry one. However, there is no penalty for not! Go figure!

How do you switch the lights to point in the other direction — my 987 has the dynamic lights — the ones that move as you turn a corner. I was hoping the PCM would tell the car I am on the continent and point them in the other direction automatically

jcarruthers said: How do you switch the lights to point in the other direction — my 987 has the dynamic lights — the ones that move as you turn a corner. I was hoping the PCM would tell the car I am on the continent and point them in the other direction automatically There is such a thing as a drivers manual. It has some useful information.

mollytherocker said: There is such a thing as a drivers manual. It has some useful information. Ok ok — but it's cold and raining outside —

As V8KSN said watch out for speed cameras, especially on tempting roads with a 3 house village/crossroad in the middle or town/city ring roads. Just driven St Malo to Malaga and the Frogs liked the 981 BS so much they took a picture of it 3 times They are often black boxes on the side of the road about 1.5m high and you see them just as they flash. The one on the ring road was at about 5kph above the limit. Anyone know if they are likely to follow these up? You do not need a breathalyser by law but I took one to prevent any possible problems with over exuberant gendarmes. Hi-viz vests and triangles (2 if you are going as far as Spain) are a must. We avoided all the toll roads, saved about £100, drove some great roads and according to the sat nav it only cost us 1hr 20 min to the border. Can't remember how much petrol was in France (only filled up once) but here in Spain 98 octane can be had for as little as E1.36 which with the current exchange rate equates to about £0.96/l...perfect. Think it is only a tad dearer in France. At 80-90ish on the motorways and spirited driving where possible (I slowed down a bit after the 3rd flash ) we managed about 32mpg, impressive. Enjoy. Edited by jredram on Wednesday 25th March 01:21

There is no cross-border agreement between France and the UK that allows them to endorse your license due to fixed speed camera. The only way you'll get caught for speeding in France is there and then with mobile speed traps. Having said that, they are trying to chance this at the moment so it likely won't be long.

i drive in France a lot, on a car with UK plates. It is correct that there is no way for them to follow up on fixed camera "flashes", so don't worry if you get caught by them. (This only works on UK plates, not on hire car). (there is always a speed camera within a few hundred metres of a warning sign by law) Mobile cameras are different, and I generally don't speed too much anyway, just to be polite! There are different fines for different excess speeds, and more than 50kph above limit and they can take your car. The toll tags are very useful - mainly because it avoids getting out of car if you don't have a passenger. You can apply online and they come quickly. I am "based" in Haute Savoie for toll purposes so get a discount on local tolls, so worth choosing if you are in a specific area. They now have 30kph lanes where you don't even have to stop if tagged. On headlights - I have a high car there (merc GL), and didn't change headlights to begin with. I was constantly flashed by truck drivers on the trip over. Put on the sticky beam deflectors, and haven't been flashed since, so must make a difference.

anonymous said: [redacted] It is a sensible item to carry in UK, in France if stopped and checked you will get 90 euro fine without one. They have to be carried in the passenger compartment, if in the boot 90 euro fine! Not worth the fine for a £2.00 item...

rObArtes said: thanks everyone how many of you have been pulled over ? We were pulled over in the Subaru (which has standard UK registration plates) last summer - we were in the middle of nowhere but approaching an autoroute. Two Gends flagged us over, and one looked carefully at all the documents - they were not interested in anything else - the other one did walk around the car, but he didn't look properly at anything. As said above, use common sense and you'll be fine. If you are planning on taking a car over there often - buy a set of proper dateless plates from DVLA - three letters and three numbers. From a distance it looks like a Belgian plate. Makes you more invisible than a Q-division Aston Martin. Well that's my theory as I've never been stopped in the Porsche.

What docs do you need to carry - and can they be photocopies? I don't like leaving a V5 in the car for obvious reasons.

I may be talking b ks here..... hope someone can correct me if I am. I have heard... You should NOT show your V5 if you are caught doing a silly speed as they can confiscate the car if its 'yours'. Just say you cant find it. What you do show is all the paperwork like insurance and your driving license etc and pay whatever fine they decide to hit you with.....then carry on driving.

V5, insurance cert, MOT and you need both parts of your driving licence with you, if car does not belong to you need to carry authority from the owner. Colour photocopy of V5 might be OK but think they want originals

About 3 years back I was waved into a layby with a lovely mobile camera set up in the dry ditch next to it which was all but invisible when I came around the slight bend. That aside the officer in question pointed out in very good English (put my French to shame) that without the hi vis jackets which were in the door pockets of the Sagaris I would be paying another 90 euros on top of the 90 for the speeding. Personally I would prefer to have a couple of £2 hi vis jackets in the car rather than add another 90 euros to the fine I'm already having to pay. Each to their own of course but why give them any additional excuse to extract more of your hard earned cash from you.

rObArtes said: i thought the rule for breathalyser's had changed? Yes it has. No longer required.

J12KJR said: About 3 years back I was waved into a layby with a lovely mobile camera set up in the dry ditch next to it which was all but invisible when I came around the slight bend. That aside the officer in question pointed out in very good English (put my French to shame) that without the hi vis jackets which were in the door pockets of the Sagaris I would be paying another 90 euros on top of the 90 for the speeding. Personally I would prefer to have a couple of £2 hi vis jackets in the car rather than add another 90 euros to the fine I'm already having to pay. Each to their own of course but why give them any additional excuse to extract more of your hard earned cash from you. Always wondered what to do with the two, awkward to access cubby holes behind the driver and passengers heads in the Cayman - high viz jackets seem like the best candidate to date.

Not France, but me and pal on motorcycles were relieved of 150 euros in Spain once, middle of the countryside, by two cops (GC), one of which did nothing but tap on the handle of his revolver! We had been behind a truck coming down a mountain and when we got to them, completely unsighted due to the terrain, we were in front. Apparently it was all double line. Didn't feel the need to query that? No paperwork checked or issued and we are pretty sure the Euro notes found their way into their back pockets? Have set off many a speed camera in France, but never received a ticket, although you do need to take special care within 100 miles of Calais as they see an English plate as an ATM. All things in the EU aren't necessarily equal.

anonymous said: [redacted] There are two other options you've forgotten: 1. you get a puncture on the autoroute and Le Flic see you without a hi-vis. 2. you get pulled over for a normal spot check and you don't have a hi-vis. Either way your day is going to get worse and Le Flic is going to get richer. BTW- this law applies in Spain and Italy too.

given how cheap and how little space a hi-vis takes up in the car is it really worth NOT taking one? I have one with Suez Environnement printed right across the back of it....just to get me into the French mood.

ilduce said: There are two other options you've forgotten: 1. you get a puncture on the autoroute and Le Flic see you without a hi-vis. 2. you get pulled over for a normal spot check and you don't have a hi-vis. Either way your day is going to get worse and Le Flic is going to get richer BTW- this law applies in Spain and Italy too. Absolutely agree. cmoose seems to want to give himself extra grief, it's his call. I have always carried them in the UK, all my cars have them in, don't want to be on a country roadside at night with a puncture or have a breakdown without one. How many times have you been on an un lite road at night and come across someone in dark clothing, scary stuff!

anonymous said: [redacted] I think it is very sensible to have hi viz jackets. Mortality rate when exiting a stranded car near a main road is very high. The French Police or Gendarmerie don't particularly target foreign vehicles either.

I think legally you are supposed to have a Warning triangle, hi-vis vest and Breathalysers (IIRC, the law is still in place but they can no longer fine you for non-compliance, so it's a bit pointless. Might be worth it to avoid potential hassles). I seem to remember being told that I needed a First aid kit and spare bulbs too, though they're not listed in the links below, so may no longer apply for France and may have been for one of the other European countries I was visiting. Oh and if you don't have the blue strip with GB on your reg plate, you're supposed to have a GB sticker too. These AA links may be helpful: http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/overseas/gene... http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/touring_tips/... ETA: http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/touring_tips/... Edited by ChipsAndCheese on Wednesday 25th March 16:23

Standard Cay & Box headlights are sooo poor anyway you would have to be mega unlucky to get into trouble with French plod. I've been over loads of times recently and never bothered with beam stickers or tape on the lights. As already mentioned, the breathalyser law has been postponed. Also, don't forget over there you are not allowed to have any camera detecting equipment in the car even if it is part of a sat nav system. (That said, I have just had a laser jammer fitted so I will have to be careful not to be pulled over for something silly)

wulfy66 said: Standard Cay & Box headlights are sooo poor anyway you would have to be mega unlucky to get into trouble with French plod. I've been over loads of times recently and never bothered with beam stickers or tape on the lights. As already mentioned, the breathalyser law has been postponed. Also, don't forget over there you are not allowed to have any camera detecting equipment in the car even if it is part of a sat nav system. (That said, I have just had a laser jammer fitted so I will have to be careful not to be pulled over for something silly) I thought the situation was that, as you say, you weren't allowed camera DETECTING equipment (ie a receptor of some kind) but a Sat Nav (or phone) using GPS was OK. I know there was a period where this was unclear, but I think that is the case now.

bcr5784 said: I thought the situation was that, as you say, you weren't allowed camera DETECTING equipment (ie a receptor of some kind) but a Sat Nav (or phone) using GPS was OK. I know there was a period where this was unclear, but I think that is the case now. This was the wording on the Tom tom site last time I went over to France (couple of years ago) basically danger zones are highlighted and those may or may not have cameras within them. Changes to the law in France Since decree n°2012-3 was introduced on 3 January 2012 it has been illegal to be warned about the position of fixed or mobile speed cameras while you are driving in France. If your TomTom navigation device has the Speed Camera service and you continue to use the service, you risk a fine of up to €1500. New update: TomTom Speed Camera service becomes Danger Zones in France TomTom had a meeting with the Road Safety Ministry to clarify the situation regarding new and upcoming legislation. As a result, TomTom is introducing a 100% compliant Danger Zones service available in a free download for compatible products.

J12KJR said: This was the wording on the Tom tom site last time I went over to France (couple of years ago) basically danger zones are highlighted and those may or may not have cameras within them. Changes to the law in France Since decree n°2012-3 was introduced on 3 January 2012 it has been illegal to be warned about the position of fixed or mobile speed cameras while you are driving in France. If your TomTom navigation device has the Speed Camera service and you continue to use the service, you risk a fine of up to €1500. New update: TomTom Speed Camera service becomes Danger Zones in France TomTom had a meeting with the Road Safety Ministry to clarify the situation regarding new and upcoming legislation. As a result, TomTom is introducing a 100% compliant Danger Zones service available in a free download for compatible products. You're right - this from Pocket GPS world "France & Switzerland Using a speed camera database like ours in Switzerland is illegal. As such the data is available as an option with the European database. As of 5th January 2012 'Speed Cameras Warnings' are illegal in France. However, 'Warnings for Dangerous Zones' are legal. The French data is available as an option in the European database. Unfortuntely until manufacturers open up the 'warning zones' to 3rd parties we cannot comply with the French law as we only provide set points. Use of the French data is at your own risk" Sorry if I misled anyone. All that said it does seem like a load of b ks if you can have a speed camera warning so long as you don't call it that and don't get too specific on location.

jcarruthers said: How do you switch the lights to point in the other direction — my 987 has the dynamic lights — the ones that move as you turn a corner. I was hoping the PCM would tell the car I am on the continent and point them in the other direction automatically Sadly not. My last car was a 997/2 Carrera S which also had dynamic lights. Unfortunately you have to remove the entire headlight unit, take off the back cover, then find and move a little lever to alter the dip beam. Porsche advise not to stick anything o the headlights themselves to avoid risk of overheating. Only on the latest generation 981 / 991 cars with PDLS can you alter the dip beam through the PCM menu.

dreamcar said: jcarruthers said: How do you switch the lights to point in the other direction — my 987 has the dynamic lights — the ones that move as you turn a corner. I was hoping the PCM would tell the car I am on the continent and point them in the other direction automatically Sadly not. My last car was a 997/2 Carrera S which also had dynamic lights. Unfortunately you have to remove the entire headlight unit, take off the back cover, then find and move a little lever to alter the dip beam. Porsche advise not to stick anything o the headlights themselves to avoid risk of overheating. Only on the latest generation 981 / 991 cars with PDLS can you alter the dip beam through the PCM menu. It's fairly easy once you've done it once, but the manual isn't very helpful to say the least! I'd be more than happy to show you if you're anywhere near Sussex - but, to be honest, if you're not going to be driving much at night in France, I wouldn't bother if I were you!

J12KJR said: This was the wording on the Tom tom site last time I went over to France (couple of years ago) basically danger zones are highlighted and those may or may not have cameras within them. Changes to the law in France Since decree n°2012-3 was introduced on 3 January 2012 it has been illegal to be warned about the position of fixed or mobile speed cameras while you are driving in France. If your TomTom navigation device has the Speed Camera service and you continue to use the service, you risk a fine of up to €1500. New update: TomTom Speed Camera service becomes Danger Zones in France TomTom had a meeting with the Road Safety Ministry to clarify the situation regarding new and upcoming legislation. As a result, TomTom is introducing a 100% compliant Danger Zones service available in a free download for compatible products. I've just checked and Garmin do the same thing with Danger Zones - so a lot of the newer sat navs will be legal in France.

I was stopped in France in a Boxster for speeding. They never checked if we had high viz jackets etc, just wanted the cash. They had the camera pointing down an uphill section, I was greeted at the top by 2 police motorbikes to escort me off at the next exit. Then had to queue with all the other foreigners that had also been caught. No need for breathalyzer, if you want to flick the switch on your lights, it is a simple process that takes 10mins for both, it just sounds scary in the manual. But I wouldn't and didn't bother. If you extend your mobile data service to Europe, you can use the waze app which is widely (but illegally) used in France. As others have said, don't be stupid read the road and conditions and you should be ok - also the French are still good at flashing oncoming traffic if police are around.

Are there any differences between driving in France & Belgium?

I drive faster in Belgium than I would in France. Belgian drivers can be poor and often change lanes with little warning.

Nobbles said: hen had to queue with all the other foreigners that had also been caught. Do they only stop foreigners ?

nickfrog said: Do they only stop foreigners ? Yes, basically the others (French) are on camera and will receive tickets through the post. The foreigners are escorted off the autoroute and asked to hand over the cash, or in my case they kept my documents and gave me directions to the nearest bank. Documents returned in exchange for cash.

anonymous said: [redacted] One would imagine it would be your passport as your Nectar card and gym membership card probably wouldn't be sufficient.

rObArtes said: Are there any differences between driving in France & Belgium? Yes - French roads are pretty good and Belgian roads have not seen any maintenance since WWII... Beware for huge potholes!

Mad March Taffy said: Yes - French roads are pretty good and Belgian roads have not seen any maintenance since WWII... Beware for huge potholes! Im convinced they are actually bomb craters from WW2, we had a couple of destroyed tyres and punctures getting thro Belgium last time

And don't get me started with the insane Dutch caravaners! Completey mad & unpredictable

anonymous said: [redacted] Well they wouldn't take your driving licence because you'd commit an offence if you drove your car without having your licence so that leaves... um... the V5 maybe, but that's replaceable if you decided not to go back. The only thing left to ensure you return and not be able to go back to the UK without paying would be the passport. Why you'd think they wouldn't take your passport?- the are perfectly entitled to. Have you ever driven abroad or do you have restrictions on your movement because of a mental health problem? Oh and I like your signature at the end of your post. Very appropriate for you.

anonymous said: [redacted] Here you go: You get pulled for speeding. You have no Euros. They don't take cards or cheques or sterling. They keep your passport while you go to the ATM for the Euro's, to make sure you return with the money. If they kept your driving licence you would be committing another offence of driving without carrying a licence. Anything about that you don't understand? I like your new name: "Plonker", but it doesn't do justice to your level of stupidity.

anonymous said: [redacted] ha ha! So you really have never driven abroad. Anyway, it's a more believable story than fitting 17inch wheels "because they are better than 18's" We know it's because you want to look like Noddy in your little red car. Hopefully you'll emulate him completely and not reproduce. Beep beep!

It gets worse in here, every day!

nsm3 said: It gets worse in here, every day! Welcome to the Jungle.....

I can confirm they can and will take your driving licence in France, not mine though! They didn't even care for a passport last time I was there. They do like to check your V5 too.

wulfy66 said: Mad March Taffy said: Yes - French roads are pretty good and Belgian roads have not seen any maintenance since WWII... Beware for huge potholes! Im convinced they are actually bomb craters from WW2, we had a couple of destroyed tyres and punctures getting thro Belgium last time Belguim roads!!!!! I'd read about them but didn't believe it till I drove them. Absoluty shocking and that's just the motorways. I'll not be back. They wore out my suspension.

Returning to driving in France for a moment. It does not sound like it's on your intended route but can I recommend you take in the Millau Viaduct. An absolutely awesome bit of(British)design.

V8KSN said: Watch out for the cops within 120 odd miles of Calais, they are abundant and they are skint! Watch out for signs that say there are radar speed traps, they are usually right. Watch out for speed cameras hidden in trees! Carry some euros with you as its inevitable you will have to pay a 'toll' Speaking of tolls, get yourself a toll tag from https://www.saneftolling.co.uk saves lots of queuing hassle on the autoroutes Having said all that.... there will be a time when you exit a quiet village and you are faced with a lovely country road that is perfectly smooth and well sighted with no traffic ...... you will LOVE it! Excellent tip with the Saneftolling,thanks for posting! just got myself a tag ready for a long Euro trip in May,remember last year faffing about at toll booths trying to lean out and reach the machine with the good old Visa card!

No problem evojam, just be aware of the annual charge of a few euros......for me its easily worth it to avoid the hassle of carrying change and getting in and out the car each time.

Timbo_Mint said: Returning to driving in France for a moment. It does not sound like it's on your intended route but can I recommend you take in the Millau Viaduct. An absolutely awesome bit of(British)design. I agree - well worth a diversion to see the Millau viaduct - recommend coming off the autoroute immediately South of the bridge, right underneath it is an exhibition centre complete with a road section. Amazing to look up and see the bridge road deck nearly 1,000 ft above!

V8KSN said: No problem evojam, just be aware of the annual charge of a few euros......for me its easily worth it to avoid the hassle of carrying change and getting in and out the car each time. Yup - had a good look at the website and totally agree it's easily worth the small fees to avoid the hassle at the toll booths

rObArtes said: thanks everyone how many of you have been pulled over ? I was, doing 110mph on way to Le Mans in my F430..escorted off motorway by a plod bike in front and behind...taken to a 'holding station' where they we soley doing 'Le Mans Brits' on Porsches, TVR, R8's, Fezzers, etc....after a bit of amiable chitchat and taking pics of each other sitting in my car, rather bizarrely they let me off!

dreamcar said: jcarruthers said: How do you switch the lights to point in the other direction — my 987 has the dynamic lights — the ones that move as you turn a corner. I was hoping the PCM would tell the car I am on the continent and point them in the other direction automatically Sadly not. My last car was a 997/2 Carrera S which also had dynamic lights. Unfortunately you have to remove the entire headlight unit, take off the back cover, then find and move a little lever to alter the dip beam. Porsche advise not to stick anything o the headlights themselves to avoid risk of overheating. Only on the latest generation 981 / 991 cars with PDLS can you alter the dip beam through the PCM menu. Which is all very well and good until you remove your headlight in a rush in the dark ( isn't itnalways) and find there is no lever at all. Seems I'm not alone. 987.2 Cayman s. Can't believe I had to put those stickers on a porsche.

Cmoose used to be a pretty good poster, nowadays all he seems to do is get into mudslinging contests... maybe hes under the weather with a rare form of 300bhp/tonningitis

You will be in France all of 30mins if you're going straight to Belgium so just keep to the speed limits, have the usual stuff in the boot like Triangle, High Vis, First Aid Kit and Bulb Kit which you need for most European countries. I just drove to Austria and loved it, but I spent 30mins in France before driving through Belgium and into the Brussels Tunnel system (so worth it) then onto the German autobahns where I stretched my legs all the way to Austria and into the Alps.

Axel987 said: Cmoose used to be a pretty good poster, nowadays all he seems to do is get into mudslinging contests... maybe hes under the weather with a rare form of 300bhp/tonningitis His arguments are unbelievable. He tried to tell me that you can get a Cayman OPC warranty for £600. I put it down to him having small wheels.

ilduce said: He tried to tell me that you can get a Cayman OPC warranty for £600. To be fair, he isn't far off. £660 for 12 months is possible if you drop Porsche Assist and can get the 111 point inspection done for free (which is easily done if having a service done at the same time). Total price would then obviously be more than £660 as you'd be paying for the service, but the warranty element of the invoice would just be £660.

ilduce said: His arguments are unbelievable. He tried to tell me that you can get a Cayman OPC warranty for £600. I put it down to him having small wheels. Smaller wheels on the Cayman ARE an improvement IMO

ilduce said: I put it down to him having small wheels. While I think there are many perfectly valid reasons to criticise Moose, picking on his choice of wheels seems rather bizarre. Let's face it the current fad for ever larger wheels with ever smaller profile tyres is driven by fashion rather more than function. Motorsport at the highest levels (including F1) has never seen the need to go down that route (until now - and even then only for marketing reasons). So is it really more any more valid ( or even as valid) to criticise him for his choice, which has dynamic characteristics he prefers, rather than others who make a different choice - primarily for aesthetic reasons.

dreamcar said: Sadly not. My last car was a 997/2 Carrera S which also had dynamic lights. Unfortunately you have to remove the entire headlight unit, take off the back cover, then find and move a little lever to alter the dip beam. Porsche advise not to stick anything o the headlights themselves to avoid risk of overheating. Only on the latest generation 981 / 991 cars with PDLS can you alter the dip beam through the PCM menu. In the 991 this is an electronic setting in the PCM.

hahahaha