I was just reading the AA site, booked the ferry to France this Friday.

I have no International Driving permit, and a load of other stuff!

One thing they mentioned was;

"Headlights

AA headlamp converters If you're driving to the Continent then you must adjust the headlamp beam pattern to suit driving on the right so that the dipped beam doesn't dazzle oncoming drivers.

Never go without adjusting the headlamp pattern as it is a compulsory requirement in most countries.

Headlamp beam converter kits are widely available but don't leave headlamp conversion to the last minute, as a dealer may need to make the adjustment.

"

Is this a simple adjustment of the headlight, ie. the manual adjusters. Or is it cheap and can be done anywhere?

I bet if i get it done, the UK dirvers with love me on the trip to Dover!

Kristian

Isn't it just those little stick-on triangles you can get at garages/halfrauds etc that prevent you dazziling motorists when you drive on the other side of the road?

If it is that easy then great! I need the GB sticker, high vis jackets and bulb kit anyway.

Where to stick them though? do they come with instructions or do you need an MOT light gauge?

Kristian

Look carefully at your headlamp lense. You will see a triangular shaped part of vertical lenses that send the light to the nearside. Use black insulating tape to cover this area.

Cheers

D

As simple as that

Cheers D! Saved me a few quid!

Kristian

/EDIT - Is this on both lenses or only the nearside?

Your UK photo driving licence is valid anywhere in Europe. You don't need a high vis jacket for France, though you do need a warning triangle, a bulb kit and a first aid kit. If you drive in Austria the high vis jacket needs to be accesible without the driver leaving their seat, ie door pocket or glove compartment.

Personally I never stick anything on my headlights, though obviously you should. I have a set of unused sticky things and have had the same ones for a good ten years in my travel box.

Radar detectors are illegal in France, and many other countries, the police check at the toll booth. If you take the toll road from Calais towards Paris the Police have a habit of setting up a speed trap inside the toll both. People roar up to the ticket machine, without obeying the incrementally signposted speed reductions and promptly get a fine. I had some prat in a Boxter roar past me the other week as I slowed down as signposted, his face was a picture as the Gendarme came over for a little chat!

I read about the license thing after, at least one thing less to worry about

As it is only a bit of sticky on the lights, may as well. From the AA comments about visiting a dealer, I was considering not bothering, but for something so simple it seems silly.

I have a tom tom with speed camera sites, but no detector, so I guess thats OK, just like it is in UK.

Don't worry, I'll obey the limits, but I didn't realise until tonight, France is toll roads! Doh! there goes some spending money and a quick diversion to another country lol.

Kristian

don't you have to carry a fire extinguisher as well (you should have one in the car anyway, but still)

if your going to germany yes. you must have a fire extinguisher, but it's some whacky one that follows a certain code (not your standard halfrauds job) You can get all you need on the ferrie crossing the channel.

kritip said:

Don't worry, I'll obey the limits, but I didn't realise until tonight, France is toll roads!

Kristian

Click to expand...

No its not. There are still great roads that are not toll. Due to the tolls, toll roads are quieter than our motorways, but if are looking for a scenic drive, stay off the Tolls.

If you've got a tomtom, can't you set it for non motorway routes?

Cheers

D

The push to Paris is the same day as leaving the UK, have a hotel booked that night, so its the quickest route possible. After that I will tell the tom tom either not Toll roads OR no motorways.

The plan has been set now; Paris, Italy, Switzerland (over the alps), Germany, Belgium, France, UK.

Luckily my fathers PG has a new triangle, bulb set, haz jacket, etc. I grabbed a fire extinguiser from the kitchen (it will do )

Just got the GB stickers, and the insulation tape

Kristian

Don't forget to take the vehicle registration document.
You can buy the beam splitters on the ferry, then find a wall.
I have never fitted a GB sticker and had no probs.

If you have a "Euro-GB" style number plate ( the GB logo set in a circle of EU stars) then you won't need a GB plate.

Beam converters, fire extinguishers, hi-vis jackets, red triangle... etc.

But it's funny how I never saw a LHD vehicle driving in Britain with beam converters. Maybe it's us Brits that are just anal? The beam converters sold on ferries all have packets printed in English only. You'd have thought some would have French text on them.. go figure!


Ralf S.

One more thing. In France and Spain apparently not only the bulbs kit is needed, also the tools to change them.

Ralf S. said:

If you have a "Euro-GB" style number plate ( the GB logo set in a circle of EU stars) then you won't need a GB plate.

Ralf S.

Click to expand...

Not strictly true. Britain did not sign up to that part of the legislation, but a prosecution is unlikely.

Cheers

D

wow...i had no idea there was so many regulations about things like bulb kits in mainland europe I guess this is my thing to learn today then lol